The history, objectives, and funding patterns for international education are discussed. Attention is directed toward the language and area study centers of the U.S. Office of Education, undergraduate/graduate and scholarly exchange programs, and the support of advanced research in international studies. The main source of funds for language and area centers has been the institution, followed by the NDEA program, and the Ford Foundation, respectively. Recent estimates indicate that NDEA Title VI funds continue to represent about 10-11 percent of the total costs of operations at all centers. Information on the number of centers by world regions in 1969 and 1977 indicates a decline in each region, and most dramatically for South Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian Studies. Additionally, a decline in graduate fellowship awards under NDEA Title VI has occurred. Enrollment trends in modern foreign languages since 1969 and number of degrees in NDEA center programs by area of study are presented. Since funds from NDEA Title VI may not, by law, be used for the support of research in international affairs, the support is provided from university sources, foundations, or other federal programs. Data is presented on distribution of foreign students by the United States by subregion of origin, foreign students from OPEC nations, distribution of students by type of institution, academic level, major region in the United States, states, and fields of study. Data on Fulbright programs supporting U.S. citizens to study abroad is included. Policy issues are also discussed. (SW)