On Friday, January 16, EF (Education First) welcomed U.S. Congressman George Latimer to EF’s International Language Campus in Tarrytown, where he formally presented EF with an official statement entered into the Congressional Record recognizing EF’s educational, cultural, and economic contributions to Westchester County and New York’s 16th Congressional District.
Representative Latimer, the former Westchester County Executive and a lifelong public servant, honored EF’s longstanding role in language learning, educational travel, cultural exchange, and academic programming that connect New York to the world.
“EF’s mission of opening the world through education brings the world to New York, and New York to the world,” said Congressman Latimer. “Each year, thousands of international students study English with EF in Tarrytown, gaining an invaluable appreciation for America and our local communities. At the same time, thousands of residents of NY-16 take advantage of EF’s travel and cultural exchange programs. I am proud that this incredible organization continues investing in our district and creating opportunities for global education and cross-cultural understanding.”
Since 2008, EF’s Tarrytown campus has hosted tens of thousands of international students who come to the United States to learn English at EF’s fully accredited language program in support of their academic and professional goals before returning to their home countries.
“Our Tarrytown campus, located on the former Marymount College property, has become a vibrant international hub – often described as a mini-United Nations – where students from 100 countries live, study, and engage meaningfully with our local community,” said Shawna Marino, Vice President of Community Relations for EF. “It is a powerful example of how global education and cultural exchange can strengthen local connections.”
The presence of EF in Tarrytown and greater Westchester County generates significant local impact, including approximately millions in annual tax revenue and substantial spending through international tourism, housing, retail, and services.
In addition to the International Language Campus, EF operates a broad portfolio of educational travel, cultural exchange, and academic programs serving thousands of New York residents each year, including EF Educational Tours, EF World Journeys, EF High School Exchange and Cultural Care Au Pair. EF’s travel divisions bring tens of thousands of travelers annually through JFK Airport, and EF partners with thousands of schools and teachers across the State of New York. Locally, hundreds of families participate in Cultural Care Au Pair, providing in-home childcare support while fostering international cultural exchange within Westchester communities.
The recognition entered into the Congressional Record includes the following statement from Congressman Latimer:
“Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong resident and now Representative for the 16th District of New York, I rise today to commend the residents of my hometown communities for opening their doors to students from around the globe and to recognize the contributions of EF Education First in Tarrytown to NY-16.
I recently toured the EF International Language Campus – an English-language learning center for thousands of students from around the world that EF has owned and operated on the former Marymount College campus since 2008.
If residents of NY-16 aren’t seeing the world through EF students in Tarrytown, they are likely traveling the world with EF’s educational travel programs or hosting EF’s international exchange students and au pairs. Hosting international students and visitors is like bringing the world into your home, and I am proud that so many local families participate in these cultural exchange opportunities.
EF exemplifies how international education strengthens our communities, expands opportunity, and builds lasting global understanding.”
