A GROUP OF 21 Chilean universities has launched an initiative to boost the number of international students in the country. The scheme hopes to promote Chile as an œinternationally recognised and qualified destination for higher education.
The Learn Chile project, launched at the Association of International Educators fair in San Diego on May 28, proclaims that Chile offers international students œa rich life experience. The project is aimed particularly at students from Europe, China, the US and Brazil, and is supported by the Chilean government.
Comments Roberto Paiva, director of Pro Chile, a unit of Chile™s ministry of foreign affairs: œWith this educational sector brand, we aim to encourage international students to come to Chile, and view it as a destination where they can advance in their academic degrees, while also enjoying a rich life experience, sightseeing, learning Spanish, and living in a safe and stable country.
Learn Chile hopes that after completing their studies, international students will become ambassadors for the country and talk about the experiences they had with their peers. The programme will also help Chilean students build links with international students.
Interest in promoting Chilean higher education institutions to international students has increased in recent years. Chile™s ministry of education figures suggest the percentage of foreign students attending university increased on average 14 percent each year between 2009-12, and 26 percent between 2012-13, according to Learn Chile. Paiva adds that this shows that œthe efforts¦ to internationalise have been œfruitful.
The Learn Chile website offers tools to assist students considering study options in Chile, and a list of the 21 universities involved. It also contains sections on visa and documentation advice, practical information about living in Chile, and testimonials from 40 international students from a variety of countries.
(Excerpted and adapted from Times Higher Education)