Speeches

Opening Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Stephen Schwartz, at the
College Fair with Council of International Schools Delegation

Bocage International School
November 7, 2005

Mr. David Muddle, Headmaster;
Mrs. Brigitte Lee, Member of the Board of Directors;
Mr. David White, President of the Parent-Teachers’ Association;
CIS Delegates;
Teachers, Parents and Students;

It’s a pleasure to be here today and especially to have the opportunity to talk to you about exploring higher education in the United States. 

I’d like to express my appreciation to Le Bocage International School Headmaster, Mr. Muddle, for organizing and hosting this special event.  Thank you to the Council of International Schools (CIS) delegation and the colleges and universities they represent.  The CIS delegation is the largest educational delegation to visit from North America specifically to recruit Mauritian students for study in the United States and Canada.

I’d like to recognize the embassy’s Educational Advisor Mrs. Linda Henry and Mrs. Khatijah Rohomotally, Advisor here at Le Bocage for their work with the Council for International Schools to include Mauritius in their African tour.  The fruition of your efforts in bringing CIS to Mauritius can be seen at today’s college fair, and I hope, in the greater number of Mauritian students who will enroll at CIS Institutions.

This is a great opportunity for Mauritian students and their parents to explore the possibilities of studying in the United States and Canada, and, at the same time for the CIS delegation to acquaint themselves with the Mauritian culture, students, and educational system. 

The United States and Mauritius have a long history that dates back to the end of the 18th century.  An American Consulate was first established in 1794.  The CIS visit, although brief enhances those continuing strong ties. 

Currently, there are over three hundred Mauritian students studying in the United States.  Many of these students are receiving financial aid directly from their colleges and universities.  Mauritian students received over $650,000.00 U.S. Dollars in financial aid during 2005. 

International students comprise approximately 4% of the total undergraduate U.S. college and university student population, and 10% for U.S. graduate schools.  There are more then 600,000 international students attending North American colleges.   In fact, international students contributed more than 13 billion dollars to the U.S. economy in 2005. 

U.S. colleges and universities continue to rank very high in worldwide rankings.  As an international student, you will find that you have unlimited study choices.  Mauritian students are studying an array of subjects in the U.S. which include accounting, law, physics, computer science and many other fields of study.  For the first time ever there is a Mauritian student studying at the U.S. Naval Academy, and he’s scheduled to graduate with the class of 2009. 

The list of world-class learning institutions in the United States is endless.  The U.S. has more institutions of higher learning than any other country in the world.  At most U.S. colleges and universities you will find highly qualified teaching staff; the research at many universities is cutting-edge and published in journals throughout the world; and, many American professors are leading authorities in their fields. 

Mauritian students will discover that U.S. colleges and universities are recognized throughout the world.  That today’s U.S. educational institutions focus on the global aspects of each subject and prepares students in the worldwide view of their field of study.  Today U.S. colleges and universities recognize and offer a more comprehensive global curriculum. 

We welcome and encourage international students to come to the United States to study.  You will find the American people warm and welcoming.  You will not only be furthering your education, but studying American culture first-hand, while at the same time introducing your American friends to Mauritius and its culture.  We want students from other countries to take advantage of the exceptional educational opportunities in the United States.  You will find that the U.S. is not only a welcoming, safe place to visit, but also a great place to pursue your higher education. 

Please take advantage and talk to the CIS delegates today and pursue your higher education in the United States.  Feel free to visit our Educational Advisor Mrs. Henry at the U.S. Embassy’s Education USA Advising Center.

Thank you.