Even though Berea College has always emphasized it’s dedication to the education of academically promising students from the Appalachian region its students also come from all states in the U.S. and in a typical year, from more than 60 other countries representing a rich diversity of colors, cultures, and faiths. About one in three students represents an ethnic minority.

Berea College has a long history of engaging students, instructors and staff from many countries in addition to the United States. Indeed the college motto bears out this commitment: "God has made of one blood all peoples of the Earth." Berea consequently has visitors from around the globe brought here by the amazing story of tolerance, dedication and partnership.

Among the many organizations that bring international visitors to the campus is the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana (WAC), a community-based, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational programming on international and intercultural topics throughout Kentucky, and to fostering linkages between the people and institutions of Kentucky and Southern Indiana and their counterparts throughout the world. Since the spring of May 2007 WAC has brought four groups of international visitors to Berea. Although they visit with other organizations in Berea, including the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, it is always a special pleasure for these folks to spend time with the students, staff and faculty of Berea College. Fascination with the mixture of leadership, entrepreneurship and community development taught in the Entrepreneurship for the Public Good (EPG) program always brings these groups to the third floor of the Bruce Building. It is sometimes a tossup whether the visitors or the residents of Berea College enjoy themselves more but there is no question that these visits are enriching experiences for all involved.