Advocating for International Exchange: My Experience on Capitol Hill
by Nancy Morin, Senior Manager Field Support
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., representing Greenheart International and The Alliance for International Exchange. I was invited by Haldis Toppen, Director of Outreach and Jess Kissell, Vice President, Professional Exchange Programs at Greenheart International. I am deeply and profoundly grateful for the experience of my very first (and hopefully not last) Advocacy Day.
Upon arrival, I met with other industry professionals who were meeting each other for the very first time. It was great meeting people from other organizations and learning more about their experiences. We also had a motivational moment when Cory Booker, D-NJ spoke to our group before Mark Overmann, Executive Director of The Alliance for International Exchange approached the podium at our event the evening before Advocacy Day. He was there to support our efforts and to thank us for taking time to be there. He is a long-time ardent supporter of international exchanges.
Advocacy Day Meetings
The amount of organization that went into planning this event was extraordinary! We were partnered with several other people and were placed into three to four different groups. Each group was assigned a Representative or a Senator to meet with. My assignments were to meet with Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA). We were informed of our assignments ahead of time, allowing us to prepare and get to know the people we would be meeting.
I found meaningful connections to each of them. My first meeting was with Rep. Pingree – who happened to be born in Minneapolis, just like me! I found it fascinating that she was born in Minnesota but now represents Maine. In a way, it reminded me of our exchange participants, who leave their home countries and, by the end of their 10-month exchange year, truly become part of a new family and community in the U.S. I also had a connection with her staffer as he worked for my Congresswoman, Abigail Spanberger from Virginia. He was very proud of the work he did with her, and it was a positive connection to share in the moment.
My second meeting was with Rep. Jen Kiggans’ staffer, Cait. She seemed incredibly busy – it was 3pm, so I’m sure she was in back-to-back meetings all day. I acknowledged how much we appreciated her valuable time and understood how taxing the day had likely been for her. Discussing Rep. Kiggans’ own experience as a teacher in Japan helped ease any tension in the room. Rep. Kiggans had also lived in Japan for five years as a military spouse, giving her a deep personal connection to cultural exchange. In addition to her time abroad, she served in the military and traveled extensively in service to the U.S., further reinforcing her global perspective.
With Senator Daines, I could appreciate his love for the environment and how rich his state’s natural resources are. He wants to protect those resources and Greenheart’s mission of connecting people and PLANET fits nicely with his agenda. The state of Montana relies heavily on tourism and our international students who come for seasonal work and travel programs there each year are pivotal to the success of their state. Senator Daines’ staffer was very receptive to our requests and light moments in the meeting put us all at ease.
All three meetings were fruitful and positive. We had asks for everyone: Help us by supporting the continuation and funding for cultural exchange programs. Each of them could see no reason why these programs should not continue to exist and thrive. Our voices were heard. I feel fortunate to have met with people who genuinely appreciate the work we do and respect all of us for doing it.
Why it Matters
Advocacy Day was an inspiring and meaningful two-day event, as 160 passionate advocates—the largest group the Alliance has ever had—came together to meet with legislators and push for continued support of international exchange programs.
Exchange programs make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous—key priorities outlined by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. They enhance U.S. national security by fostering relationships with students, young professionals, and future leaders from around the world. They also bring significant economic benefits to U.S. communities. In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported nearly 400,000 jobs. BridgeUSA exchange participants added at least $811.2 million and paid $277 million in federal taxes. These numbers highlight how international exchange is not just a cultural investment—it’s an economic one.
But right now, our programs are at risk. The current administration has been rolling back funding for exchange programs, threatening the future of these life-changing opportunities. That’s why Advocacy Day felt more important than ever. Walking the halls of majestic, marble-laden government offices, meeting with lawmakers, and sharing the real impact of these programs gave me a renewed sense of hope. The enthusiasm and commitment from my fellow advocates proved that we are not alone in this fight.
What You Can Do to Support International Exchange
The fight for exchange programs isn’t just happening in Washington—it’s happening in our communities. You can play a vital role in ensuring these programs continue to thrive. Here’s how:
- Send a Message to Your Legislators in Just a Few Clicks! – Fill out this form here, and it will automatically send a message to your legislators urging them to support international exchanges.
- Host an Exchange Student – Opening your home to a student from another country fosters cross-cultural understanding and strengthens global ties at a grassroots level.
- Support Local Businesses That host Exchange Participants – Many exchange students and young professionals contribute to local economies through BridgeUSA and similar programs. Supporting these businesses helps sustain these opportunities.
- Engage on Social Media – Use hashtags like #ExchangesImpact and #2025AdvocacyDay to raise awareness and show your support.
- Volunteer with Exchange Organizations – Whether it’s mentoring a student, helping with an event, or spreading the word, every effort counts.
Now, more than ever, we need advocates to stand up and protect these programs. Advocacy Day showed me the power of our collective voices—and with continued action, we can ensure that international exchanges remain a vibrant part of America’s future. Join me in taking action today! Keep up to date with Greenheart’s Advocacy efforts.
