Towson University is one of 160 U.S institutions that has been selected by the Government of Mexico to host Mexican undergraduate students and faculty for a one-month intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) and U.S. Cultural Immersion Program. The Proyecta 100K Strong strategy is a Mexican government international initiative, which is an outcome of the Mexican Bilateral Forum on Higher Education, Innovation and Research (FOBESI). The initiative was announced by President Obama and the President of Mexico, Pena Nieto. Launched to increase the number of student exchanges between Mexico and the U.S., the initiative’s goal is to send 100,000 Mexican students to the United States for English language learning, non-credit courses, internships and graduate studies, and 50,000 U.S. students to study in Mexico by 2018.
The first cohort of 33 Mexican students and seven faculty at Towson University, representing five universities from the State of Morelos, Mexico, will arrive on the TU campus on Saturday, November 1, 2014. During their program, they will receive ESL instruction and will immerse themselves in U.S. culture by networking with their U.S. peers, visiting nearby cities of Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York City, and attending many local events on and off campus.
In addition to ESL lessons and cultural excursions, Mexican Proyecta program participants will network with Towson students taking Spanish language classes via intercultural exchange opportunities, and will engage in student group meetings on campus and community service learning activities in the Greater Baltimore region.
One of the unique aspects of the scholarship selection process is that it provides full funding with an aim to develop and strengthen socio-economic status of the recipients. A majority of participants have never travelled outside of Mexico, and are obtaining passports and visas for the first time. Towson University is delighted to welcome this new diverse student population to campus this semester, and the selected students are thrilled to have the opportunity to experience all that TU has to offer.
The proposal to host the Mexican cohort funded under Proyecta 100,000 initiative was submitted to the MOHE- Government of Mexico by Dr. Saleha Suleman, Assistant Vice President for International Initiatives and Scott Pierson, Director of International Partnership.
After the selection of Towson’s proposal by Mexican government, a team of Spanish speaking staff was developed to facilitate communication with Mexican applicants via e-mails and Facebook. A streamlined admissions process was adopted to expedite the issuance of immigration documents by Towson University’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services, which has resulted in the expedited issuance of passports and approvals of the U.S. F-1 student visas at U.S. consulates in Mexico.
The International Partnership Office has developed an impressive inventory of learning and enrichment opportunities for this cohort. Towson University’s English Language Center (ELC) has hired 3 additional teachers and assisted in the development of a specialized curriculum with learning objectives, as well as pre- and post-program assessment of the English language learning process.
Towson University’s strategic international plan involves continued participation in such initiatives. During the fall 2014 term, TU became a member of CONAHEC: Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration and anticipates additional cohorts from Mexico, as well as new initiatives with institutions from the Caribbean, South and Central America.
For additional information regarding the November Mexico Proyecta 100,000 Initiative, contact the Office of International Partnerships’ Short-term International Programs (sip@towson.edu).
