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The central international office at Appalachian has been in place since 1976. Its mission and responsibilities have increased commensurately with the growth of the university and the heightened awareness within the academic community and nation of international education's importance. Centralization however, is not intended to thwart or obstruct entrepreneurial developments, curricular initiatives, and program development within any university department, college, or unit, but rather to support those initiatives that emerge to maturity.

With campus recognition over time of the importance of international education, the mission of the Office of International Education & Development has shifted toward enhancing the internationalization of the entire institution. Adapting to new professional demands and stringent budget realities has and continues to require careful planning and a judicious allocation of resources. Enhancing internationalization priorities has been a gradual fusion of missions and resources over time secured through the consensus of essential decision makers and leaders across the university.

Historical Highlights

• Since the establishment of the first formal institutional exchange relationship with North East University in Sheyang, People's Republic of China in 1980, the number of formal exchange agreements and associations has grown to over 35.

• Since 1976, the number of students and faculty participating in study abroad and scholarly travel abroad has increased dramatically. Last year, nearly 400 students traveled overseas as part of short-term faculty-led study abroad programs and nearly 100 students participated in a semester-long or year-long international exchange. In addition, Appalachian hosted 30 international scholars from 20 different countries.

• Since 2000, Appalachian has participated in the University of North Carolina (UNC) collaboration of partnerships and the UNC Exchange Program. Appalachian's involvement in these programs has fostered the development of several international exchange relationships including Baden-Württemberg in Germany; the consortium of Western Cape, South Africa; and China's Fudan University.

• In 1995, the Walker College of Business developed the Holland program, a joint program between Appalachian State University and Fudan University in China. The program provides a unique opportunity for Appalachian students to work and study with Fudan business students and learn about Chinese business practices and about Chinese culture.

Former Chancellors Led the Way

Appalachian's recent Chancellors, Drs. Thomas and Borkowski, cleared the way and ushered in the successful international initiates and programs enjoyed on this campus today.

A statement from  Dr.John E. Thomas, 1979-1993

When I made the decision twenty four years ago to commit to founding an exchange relationship with a Chinese University I felt it was an important move. That has proven true beyond my dreams. Simply reading the newspaper and following today's news confirms the fact that first class institutions of higher education can no longer consider international studies and study abroad opportunities for university students as a luxury appendage to the curriculum.

Whatever profession students prepare for will be impacted by forces at work in the global community. To be well prepared to practice their professions today's students must be completely aware of differences in the history, culture, and language of others outside the borders of the United States of America. Classroom discussion and focused reading can assist in transmitting this awareness, but direct experience as a key component has shown that an on site international experience makes for a profoundly more lasting educational impression.

The Office of International Programs encourages and assists in the establishment of study abroad opportunities for faculty and students across the campus and represents Appalachian's commitment to keep the door to an international component in a students education open as widely as possible.

Dr. John E. Thomas, Appalachian State University Chancellor, 1979-1993.

A statement from Dr. Francis T. Borkowski

It is increasingly obvious that no nation of the world can flourish or even survive without relying on other nations because of he rapid advances in technology, transportation, communication, and education.  Given our global environment it is imperative that higher education afford students the opportunities to become sensitive to the anthropological and historical range of diversity among the ethnic, religious, political, and social cultures of the world we share. 

As Chancellor I strongly supported development of international opportunities for Appalachian students in the belief that no university degree is complete without an increased sensitivity and broader understanding of other peoples of the world.  To assume leadership positions in an increasingly interdependent world students must be comfortable, because of the education they received, with the international challenges and opportunities they will confront and be expected to deal with successfully.

Dr. Francis T. Borkowski, Appalachian State University Chancellor, 1993-2003.