National interests and cultural exchange in French and American educational travel, 1914–1970.

In contrast to much recent scholarship focusing on the intent of the USA to exercise ‘informal American empire' through student exchanges, this study analyses both intentions and outcomes in educational exchanges between France and the USA from 1914 to 1970. Archival research, oral interviews, and published works in both countries reveal that study abroad served national interests because American students became advocates for France as well as thoughtful nationalists by experiencing a transformative cultural exchange through learning and living in France. Thus, study abroad served both national interests and internationalism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]