Start off your conference week on Monday morning with the Orientation for Participants Based Outside of the United States, which highlights what’s new and special at NAFSA 2020 in St. Louis. Make time on Tuesday for the U.S. Higher Education Partnership Fair, a conference highlight and a great way to expand your institutional partnership reach with colleges and universities in the United States.

Orientation for Participants Based Outside of the United States

Monday, May 25, 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Learn about the broader NAFSA global community and discover strategies for finding potential partners across the world and learn about conference activities created with international attendees in mind. Presenters share strategies for navigating the premier international education event of the year.

U.S. Higher Education Partnership Fair

Tuesday, May 26, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Expo Hall Poster Fair Area
A wide range of U.S. colleges, universities, and accredited intensive English programs will display information about their programs for exchange and enrollment of international students. Representatives from these institutions will be eager to discuss setting up a potential partnership with your non-U.S. based institution. Admittance to the fair is included with your conference registration. Learn more.

NAFSA Signature Programs and Special Events with Global Focus

The following Signature Programs may be of special interest to non- U.S. based attendees.

Latin America and Caribbean Forum

International Higher Education Innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean
Monday, May 25, 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
The 2020 Forum will highlight innovative international higher education practices in Latin America and the Caribbean. The higher education innovation panel will address questions such as, How are public-private partnerships coming together and with what impact? How are governments and the private sector working together with higher education institutions to tackle the employment gap in Latin America and the Caribbean? What role does technical education play in addressing the future needs of the students and countries? Learn more.
Keynote Speaker: Emiliana Vegas, senior fellow and co-director of the Center for Universal Education, The Brookings Institution
Sponsored by University of Missouri

Africa Forum

Innovative Partnerships to Transform Higher Education in Africa
Tuesday, May 26, 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Through the Africa Forum, participants broaden their knowledge of international education and exchange with Africa. Hear experts speak on internationalization efforts in the region and meet with higher education leaders from African institutions, including the fellows from NAFSA’s Global Dialogue Fellowship Program. Learn more.
Keynote Speaker: James Otieno Jowi, principal education officer, East Africa Community
Sponsored by Penn State University

Global Issues Forum (NEW)

Higher Education and Environmental Sustainability
Wednesday, May 27, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
This inaugural forum will bring together international education professionals, students, and researchers from around the world to explore best practices in collaboration on sustainable development and the environment. The discussion will focus on cultivating a global mindset and perspective to find large-scale solutions and campus-wide initiatives to address this most pressing global challenge. Learn more.
Sponsored by Education in Ireland

Seminar on Peace and Social Justice

Thursday, May 28: 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The inaugural Seminar on Peace and Social Justice will bring together scholars and practitioners in peacebuilding and international education. This half-day event will focus attention on the worldwide refugee crisis, highlighting the role, both globally and locally, that higher education institutions play in addressing this issue. Learn more.
Keynote Speaker: Anne-Marie McGranaghan, resettlement and complementary pathways officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Sponsored by Education in Ireland

Other Events

The online planner and the official NAFSA 2020 app (available in May) offer useful tools for planning your time at the conference, including the ability to build an individualized conference agenda and to send messages to other conference attendees. The presentations with a globe icon on the online planner and conference app are programs that may be of particular interest to non-U.S. participants.

The dedicated networking events at NAFSA 2020 offer a more relaxed atmosphere in which you can meet other attendees.

Also check out our information for annual conference first-timers with more recommendations to help you maximize your time in St. Louis.