Who We Are
FIUTS advances international understanding through cross-cultural experiences, student leadership, and community connections. A nonprofit organization founded at the University of Washington in 1948, FIUTS engages students and others in opportunities to promote dialogue and international exchange.
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Vision
FIUTS envisions a global community, tied to the Pacific Northwest, in which people are connected through friendship, mutual respect, and a commitment to international understanding.
Why FIUTS?
At FIUTS, we believe in the transformative power of person-to-person diplomacy as the key to building international understanding. Every student represents a unique opportunity to ignite a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and civic engagement on both a local and global scale. By connecting young people across borders, we’re creating not only bonds between individuals but also bridges between communities, cultures, and nations.
When people from diverse backgrounds share experiences, engage in meaningful conversations, and learn in an inclusive and safe environment, they build relationships that can shape the future for all of us. Through FIUTS programs, students are not only participants—they are ambassadors of their own lived experiences. We provide them with the space and time for curiosity, dialogue, and reflection, connecting them with individuals who think and act differently.
When they leave FIUTS programs, alumni carry forward these values of community, openness, and integrity. They continue to lead with purpose, foster understanding, and create change in their communities, inspired by the connections they made through FIUTS.
Building Community. Our community believes in the collective power to make positive change in the world and promotes curiosity, shared purpose, and civic pride. True communication happens when people feel comfortable, so FIUTS provides shared experiences, challenges, and fun so participants build trust naturally with others despite their initial differences.
Working with Others. Leadership can only be learned by practice. FIUTS creates a range of leadership opportunities, allowing young people to facilitate dialogue, try new things, reflect on their own growth, and build skills through practice. Large and small group experiences provide opportunities for experimentation and collaboration.
Exploring Identity. As students participate in intercultural programs and experience leadership, they are challenged to reflect on and articulate their own values and beliefs and take risks to build resilience. Storytelling and dialogue celebrate the diversity of beliefs and background of every individual.
Changing the World. In all of FIUTS programs, students are asked to consider how they will improve their communities and the world around them and encouraged to seek opportunities to take action to make the world better for everyone.