The University of Kentucky and other joint institutions across the nation are celebrating the benefits of international education and student exchange this week. International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment. UK has 1,788 international students who come from more than 117 countries across the world and also 800 students who study abroad in over 50 countries.