Era Schrepfer’s Story
We all know that the early '40s were a tumultuous time for internationals in the United States. On university campuses across the country, students from across the globe were being refused housing and other support and were being sent home from hard- earned academic positions.
In Seattle, a small group of professors and others decided to create an organization to support the small group of international students who were studying at the University of Washington. They knew that there were local families who wanted to reach out to these students and help them to succeed, and they recognized the incredible wealth of knowledge and experience this group represented. On August 28, 1948, The Foundation for International Understanding Through Students, or FIUTS, was founded as an independent non profit organization based at the University of Washington.
When FIUTS was incorporated, there were 274 students from 37 nations enrolled at the University. Our country was emerging from World War II, and our founders believed that peace could be achieved through international friendship, a vision that remains true to all of us today. FIUTS' first programs included local homestays, artistic presentations, social events, an international speakers bureau, and a small lending program.
Currently, there are more than 4,000 students and scholars from 100 different countries enrolled at the University of Washington. FIUTS produced hundreds of activities last year alone, ranging from small conversation circles to campus wide events. Many of our first programs continue to this day. FIUTS programs have continuously focused on people meeting people across cultural and national differences and building acceptance and appreciation of cultural differences between people.
By connecting students to an international network of other students and community members and exposing them to a broad range of cross-cultural experiences, FIUTS provides opportunities for these natural "diplomats" to interact with and learn from others and become leaders in an international community. Through FIUTS programs, students can build the skills and confidence they need to be citizen ambassadors of their country, inspire others to talk about their backgrounds, and bring people together for open, engaging discussion and dialogue. FIUTS inspires curiosity and shared experiences and creates a large and diverse network of individuals who share an interest in learning more about the world.
For more than 60 years, FIUTS has been a home away from home for internationals in the Puget Sound region, and an example of excellence in citizen diplomacy for thousands of similar programs around the world.