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Mexico City, November 15, 2004 - “Educational exchange between Mexico and the U.S. builds high levels of cultural understanding and expertise between our two nations,” said U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza. “Almost 13,500 Mexican students attend U.S. universities; the friendship of these young leaders is one of the most valuable assets we can count on for the future.”
According to the just released International Institute of Education (IIE) Open Doors 2004 Report, the U.S. and Mexico stand out among the global community for their growing educational exchange. Mexico ranks as the seventh largest source of international students in the United States. In contrast to declines in other parts of the world, the number of students from Latin America increased this year, due primarily to the increases in Mexico. 8,775 U.S. students are studying in Mexico.
“Students from the U.S. who study in Mexico are better prepared to understand complex global interactions while promoting diversity and cultural acceptance,” added Ambassador Garza.
“International exchanges strengthen our countries - goodwill and beneficial partnerships are the result.”
One of the best examples of academic exchanges in Mexico is the Fulbright-Garcia Robles program. For over fifty years the Fulbright program has supported the work of exceptional university students from both countries. More recently, the U.S. government-funded Training, Internships, Exchanges and Scholarships (TIES) initiative has supported over 750 scholarships and 35 partnerships between Mexican and U.S. universities.
In observance of International Education Week, November 15-19, 2004, EducationUSA-Mexico is promoting international education with a series of events celebrating the academic exchange of students and scholars that will be held throughout the month of November. EducationUSA-Mexico Partner Group is composed of several agencies within the U.S. Embassy including the U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (COMEXUS), the Institute for of International Education (IIE) and the U.S. Commerical Service.
On November 11-14, the Foreign Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy will present the Study USA Pavilion at Universitarea 2004 at the World Trade Center. Universitarea is Mexico’s largest education fair offering many options for Mexican students.
On Tuesday, November 16, EducationUSA-Mexico will present a program entitled Beyond Borders: Strengthening Internationalization in the Salón Thomas Jefferson at the Benjamin Franklin Library from 4:00 to 6:00pm. Panel speakers, leaders in the field of bilateral academic exchanges, will highlight successful examples of academic exchange, including Fulbright-García Robes, TIES-USAID, and EducationUSA.
On Wednesday, November 17, returning Mexican students will discuss their first-hand experiences in studying in the U.S. including choosing a university, adjusting to the U.S. academic culture, student life on campus and finding a job upon returning to Mexico. Beyond Border: Experiences of Studying in the U.S. will take place in the Salón Thomas Jefferson at the Benjamin Franklin Library a 5:00pm.
The International Education Week website provides useful resources for getting involved in international educational exchanges and may be found at:
http://exchanges.state.gov/iew/involved.htm
More information on the Open Doors 2004 Report can be found at:
http://www.opendoors.iienetwork.org
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