Education As Cultural Diplomacy: Examining International Student Experiences At A Public University In The Southeastern United States

This thesis explores how the lived experiences of undergraduate international students at a public university in the Southeastern United States (US) reflect and contribute to the practice of cultural diplomacy. While the existing literature on international education as an instrument of soft power tends to focus on overtly state-sponsored programs such as the Fulbright, this study is centered around exchange students specifically participating in independently coordinated partner programs. Drawing on influential political science figures such as Joseph Nye and Milton Cummings’ conceptualization of the terms ‘soft power’ and ‘cultural diplomacy,’ this research highlights the important role informal and interpersonal interactions with culture can have on shaping perceptions of the US. Through a series of semi-structured interviews and the distribution of a survey, this thesis finds that the extent to which these programs serve as tools of cultural diplomacy is linked closely with personal connections formed during the program. Positive shifts in regional perception were more significant than at the national level, with students often referencing Southern hospitality and a vibrant university lifestyle in their highlights. Ultimately, these findings suggest that undergraduate exchange programs have the potential to fulfill a cultural diplomacy role, even when they are not created for this explicit purpose. Further, these findings posit the Southeast as a potential ‘hidden gem’ where study abroad opportunities are worth further cultivation.