Washington, D.C. – NAFSA: Association of International Educators announced today that Pico Iyer will speak at the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo in San Diego. A best-selling novelist and nonfiction author and essayist, Iyer will be in conversation with Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA, during the plenary session on Tuesday, May 27, sponsored by the University of California-San Diego.
Born to Indian parents in England; educated at Eton College and Oxford and Harvard Universities; and a resident of Japan and California for much of his life, Iyer has a personal story that touches many cultures and an intellectual curiosity that has taken him all over the world. His writings include two novels and more than a dozen works of nonfiction, including the recent bestseller The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise, which examines how to live more peacefully in an increasingly divided and distracted age. His forthcoming book, Aflame: Learning from Silence, explores the clarity and calm that can be found in silent meditation. His four TED Talks on longing and belonging, wisdom, and our place in the modern world have been viewed more than 11 million times, and his books have been translated into 23 languages. Iyer has spoken to audiences at Google, Coca-Cola, Fox Broadcasting, and the World Economic Forum in Davos, and The Utne Reader named him “one of 100 visionaries worldwide who could change your life.”
“Pico Iyer speaks with a wise and singular voice about the ephemeral and evolving definition of home, the transformative power of travel, and the importance of stillness to thriving in a fast-paced world,” said Aw. “His insight into identity and what it means to be human in a multicultural global society and his lived experience centering peace and calm in our frenetic and fractured lives will resonate with our attendees from around the globe. We are honored to have such a brilliant thinker and storyteller as part of our program.”
Iyer’s remarks dovetail with the theme of the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo: “Purpose, Place, and Partnership.” This premier event in the field of international education will convene professionals from across the globe to share experiences, resources, and tools for connecting with and empowering students and scholars across cultures, languages, religions, and regions.
More information about the plenary speakers and the annual conference program can be found at nafsa.org/NAFSA2025.
About the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo
The 77th NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo is the world’s largest gathering of professionals in international education. The conference offers a wide array of learning and networking opportunities and features more than 150 sessions, 150 posters, and more than 25 workshops on the most crucial topics in international education and exchange. A major highlight of the conference is the International Education Expo, which features exhibitors representing hundreds of organizations from around the world, including colleges and universities; study abroad and intensive-English programs; embassies and government agencies; and more. Learn more at nafsa.org/NAFSA2025. #NAFSA2025
About NAFSA
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest and most comprehensive nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. NAFSA promotes policies that ensure the continued growth and impact of global learning, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding through study abroad, international student services, and campus internationalization. With a network of more than 10,000 professionals from more than 3,500 institutions and 150 countries, NAFSA is committed to fostering a more globally connected and peaceful world.