In 1957, at a time of heightened global tensions, American University established its School of International Service (SIS). This innovative institution differed from contemporaneous schools of international relations in being founded not on the study of the great power conflicts of the era, but on the concept of service to the wider world.  A brief two years later, the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) approached AU with a proposition that reflected this commitment to service. Under a mandate from the Eisenhower administration, a group of U.S. CEOs had created a program to prepare international executives to meet the personal and professional challenges they confronted upon encountering cultural differences. BCIU invited AU to organize, direct, and maintain this program. Under the aegis of AU, BCIU remained the nation's cross-cultural training leader for more than 35 years because of its reputation for unmatched quality in program content and delivery, the most innovative training techniques, and an outstanding rate of success among its graduates. Building upon the prestigious foundations of the BCIU Institute, IMI continues its predecessor's esteemed work in intercultural communication, pre-departure orientation, repatriation training, and area briefing. Its presence within the university is a clear demonstration of a commitment to intercultural understanding and international service that extends back more than forty years.   To return to the main HISTORY page, follow this link.