Fulbright: U.S.-Korea International Education Administrator Program

Overview

Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Awards are fully funded opportunities for U.S. higher education administrators to participate intensive two-week seminars abroad to learn about other countries’ higher education systems. By participating in a Fulbright IEA seminar, you can build your institution’s capacity for international education, gain a cross-cultural perspective, and open doors to collaboration with colleagues and students throughout the world.

Seminar Activities Include:

• Campus visits to a wide range of universities and colleges
• Briefings from faculty and administration at public and private higher education institutions as well as from leading educational experts and government officials
• Tours of historical and cultural sites

Award Activity: Established in 1995, the U.S.-Korea International Education Administrator Award is also known as the American International Education Administrator (AIEA) Award. Open to individuals involved directly with students in the promotion of international education, either through higher education institutions or non-profit exchange organizations in the U.S., the program offers two weeks of guided exposure to the Korean higher education system. AIEA participants visit colleges and universities, as well as government and private sector agencies, and meet with relevant personnel in order to become acquainted with the philosophy, organization, and management of Korean higher and international education programs. Cultural excursions supplement professional and academic visits.

Often referred to as an “educational powerhouse,” Korea places a distinct value on education linked to early recognition of its importance in economic mobility and development throughout Korea’s history, and particularly its history since the Korean War in the early 1950s. As with the rest of the country, Korea’s higher education system has seen rapid growth since the end of the Korean War. Today, Korea boasts over 400 higher education institutions, primarily categorized as junior/community colleges (2-3 years), universities (4 years), and graduate schools. 

With the spread in popularity of Korean culture, language, and arts worldwide, popularly known as the “Hallyu Wave,” in recent years, Korean higher education institutions have seen an increase in the number of international students choosing to pursue advanced study in Korea. According to the 2023 Open Doors report, published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), during the 2021-2022 academic year, South Korea ranked 10th among the top 25 destinations of U.S. study abroad students. 

The U.S. also remains a popular study abroad destination for Korean students, with Korea consistently ranking as the third-largest origin of international students after China and India (a fact particularly significant considering the difference in population size between Korea and these two countries). Thus, the Korean higher education system is uniquely placed to influence the future of international education, while fostering educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Korea. 

Locations Detail: Various higher education institutions throughout Korea: The first week of visits for AIEA participants is typically spent in Seoul, home to over 80 of the nation’s higher education institutions, and the second week of visits is spent outside of Seoul, offering an opportunity to explore international education in a range of urban, suburban, and rural localities.

To be eligible for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, you must be a U.S. citizen.

All travel, accommodations, and schedules are provided by the Fulbright IEA Program.

Number of recipients: up to 10
Awards start period: June 2025