It all started with a vision: to open the world up to students from Asia. Twenty-five years later, that vision has grown into a global movement.
That’s what SAF co-founder Carol Carmody reflected on as she took to the stage at SAF’s Annual Reception on Tuesday, May 27, held during the 2025 NAFSA Conference at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego.
The event marked a major milestone – SAF’s 25th anniversary and a celebration of its founding mission to open the world to students through international education.
“When I think back to 2000 – wow, that feels like a long time ago – I’m reminded of my favorite childhood book, The Little Engine That Could, and its mantra: I think I can, I think I can,” Carmody said.
“Of course, it wasn’t just me who believed we had a good chance of introducing a U.S. non-profit study abroad provider model in Asia. It was a small but committed group of international educators who believed students from Asia deserved more opportunities to study abroad than bilateral exchanges alone could offer.”
Central to SAF’s success over the past quarter century has been the strength of its partnerships. Amber Mercier, Vice President for Strategy, New Business Initiatives & Analytics at SAF and its parent company IES Abroad, reflected on the powerful synergy that emerged when the two organizations joined forces in 2017.
“IES spent nearly five years looking for the right partner, one that shared our values and student-first mission. We found that in SAF,” she said. “Together, SAF and IES Abroad have educated more than 186,000 students.”
Mercier noted three exceptional qualities that drew IES Abroad to SAF, and continue to set the organization apart: its non-profit foundation, its unwavering student focus, and its commitment to academic excellence.
“These qualities don’t just happen by accident – they exist because of very intentional decisions made when SAF was first founded in 2000, and intentional decisions made every step along the way since then.”
Part of what continues to make SAF’s mission so resonant is the experience of its leadership – people like Zachariah Simon, Executive Director of SAF. As a former international student himself, Simon spoke personally about the impact of study abroad and the deeper meaning behind global partnerships.
“Twenty years ago this August, I started my own transformative study abroad experience in Japan,” he said. “That adventure profoundly broadened my worldview and ignited my passion for international education – something I’m sure many of you in this room can relate to.”
At the time, Simon admitted he gave little thought to the institutional relationships that made his experience possible. “I was too busy soaking up the culture, devouring delicious food, and probably causing a few headaches for the university’s risk management team,” he joked. “But now, after more than 15 years in the field, I understand how my experience wouldn’t have been possible without those strong university partnerships.”
These partnerships remain the backbone of SAF’s model. Thanks to institutions committed to internationalizing their campuses, SAF continues to create meaningful global opportunities for students across Asia and beyond.
That shared dedication was unmistakable at SAF’s 25th Anniversary Reception, where more than 200 guests – including long-time university partners, IES Abroad colleagues, and over 40 delegates from the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) – gathered for an evening of celebration, conversation, and connection. As a token of appreciation for their 25 years of successful cooperation, guests were gifted a special “25th Anniversary” plush doll edition of the beloved mascot, Saffy.
“The reasons we started SAF 25 years ago remain the same,” Carmody told the crowd. “So cheers to the 25-year journey we celebrate tonight – and to the next 25 to come. Thank you all for being here and for your continued support of SAF.”
