Ambassador Baxter logs on to the chat session from the Embassy's Information Resource Center library, November 13, 2007.

As part of a number of International Education Week activities organized by the U.S. Embassy Montevideo, Ambassador Frank E. Baxter held a live chat session on Tuesday, Nov. 13 to discuss global educational exchanges and the various study in the U.S. programs available to Uruguayan students. Since the chat was in Spanish, Ambassador Baxter was assisted with translation and typing by Cultural Affairs specialist Amanda Cordones.

"The most important capital in the world is human capital, and the scarcest capital in the world is that of skilled workers. It is very regrettable that there are so many poor children in the world and the biggest difference is in education," Baxter wrote in his opening statement. He then answered questions on a number of educational programs sponsored by universities, the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo.

Educational exchanges are critical in developing mutual understanding and respect, building leadership abroad, fostering an appreciation for the U.S., and investing in the future relationship between Americans and citizens around the world. Almost 90% of American college students believe having international students on campus enriches their own learning experience.

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to recognize the global exchange environment between the United States and other countries.

Following is a translation of Ambassador Baxter's chat session:

[View original transcript in Spanish]

Moderator > Good afternoon and welcome everyone to the Embassy's chat. Before we get started, Ambassador Baxter would like to say a few words.

Cultural Affairs specialist Amanda Cordones and Educational assistant Veronica Perez-Urioste, assist Ambassador Baxter with translating and typing the answers during the November 13 chat session on education.

BAXTER > WELCOME!!! I am Ambassador Baxter and I am pleased to be sharing information with you about an important topic, education. The most important capital in the world is human capital, and the scarcest capital in the world is that of skilled workers. It is very regrettable that there are so many poor children in the world and the biggest difference is in education. I believe that is the responsibility of all of us to expand educational opportunities. Governments by themselves cannot do it all alone. I would like to continue this dialogue with the Uruguayan people about how to create more opportunities for young people. I will now answer your questions. Our Cultural Affairs specialist, Amanda Cordones, will assist me with my Spanish and typing the answers, so please excuse me is there is a slight delay in the responses.

Moderator > Welcome, Adriana. Go ahead with your question

Adriana > I would like to know if there currently exists scholarships to study music in the United States. I am a cello student at the Escuela Universitaria de Música, and I am very interested in continuing my studies in the United States. Thanks very much.

BAXTER > Adriana, in order to continue your post-graduate studies, you should always keep in mind the scholarship programs offered by the Commission for Educational Exchange between Uruguay and the United States, known as the Fulbright Commission. This is the office that directs the funding provided by the State Department for academic exchanges. In addition, you can also request assistance at the different universities you are interested in.

Adriana > Do you know of any university where might have a program that specializes in music?

BAXTER > There are many universities that specialize in this area, but to mention one in particular, I would like to refer to the College of Charleston, in South Carolina, which has been particularly open to receiving students from Uruguay. By way of example, this university, through Prof. Prof. Enrique Graf of the Music Department travels frequently to Uruguay and each time he does, he meets with students interested in his University, so I would recommend that you keep looking in the newspapers where these visits are announced and that you periodically check the Embassy web site to keep yourself informed.

Adriana > Thank you, Ambassador, I’m grateful for the information.

Moderator > Daniel, it’s your turn, go ahead.

Daniel > First of all I would like to compliment you for your beautiful country that I got to know when I had the chance to go there for a few days on vacation. Today I am writing you because I heard about a high school student exchange program and I would like to know how to apply. I am a third year student at a public high school in a rural area in Uruguay.

BAXTER > Without a doubt the program which you’ve recently heard about must have been the YOUNG AMBASSABORS exchange program for high school students between the age of 15 to 18 offered by the Embassy. Unfortunately, I have to inform you that the deadline for applications was Friday, November 9. In any case I would advise you to keep your eyes open because I am sure the program will be offered next year. I suggest that you check the Embassy web page where we post all information concerning exchange opportunities. The participants who were selected this year will travel to the United States in January, 2008.

Daniel > Do you have to know much English in order to apply? I study very hard, but I have very difficult time speaking it. Do I have any chance?

BAXTER > In order to participate, it’s necessary to be able to communicate in English since you are going to be living with a family and attending a local high school and if you cannot express yourself, the exchange isn’t really going to happen. Therefore, it’s not so important that you can’t speak perfectly or have excellent pronunciation, but you have to be able to comprehend and be able to understand the best you can. I imagine that when you say “I study very hard”, you mean it, right?

Daniel > Yes, Mr. Ambassador, you’re right. I’m going to try and apply next year. Thanks for the information.

Moderator > I think it’s @ndres’ turn now…go ahead.

@ndres > Hi. I am a very good athlete and I would like to know if I can get some kind of athletic scholarship in a university in the USA. Thanks.

BAXTER > There are athletic scholarships at many universities in the United States and there are different ways of obtaining them. To find out more about these scholarships, I suggest that you contact the Commission for Educational Exchange between Uruguay and the United States, the Fulbright Commission. They will give you all the information necessary, like how to prepare the application documents, how to contact the right association for the sport that you are good in, etc. To contact the Fulbright Commission, call them at: 901-4160 or 903-2031. I would also recommend that you check their web page at http://fulbright.org.uy/

Moderator > @ndres, do you have another question?

@andres > no, thank you.

Moderator > Rosina, go ahead with your question.

Rosina > Mr. Ambassador, thank you very much for this chance to ask you questions. They tell me it is hard to get a visa to go to the United States. I would like you to inform me about the procedures that are necessary to get a student visa, because I am interested in going to the United States to study English for a semester or a year.

BAXTER > Hello Rosina. All the inquiries concerning visas, including student visas, should be directed to the Consular Section of the Embassy, which is the office that deals with this. Firstly, I would suggest that you visit the Consulate web site at http://montevideovisas.usembassy.gov where there is a lot of information about all the requirements to process a student visa. If you still have any further questions, you can contact the Consular Section directly through e-mail at a montevideovisas@state.gov.

Rosina > Thanks, I’m going to do that.

Moderator > Go ahead, Martin.

Martin > My name is Martin, I am a second year student in international business and I know that to be able to perform in this field I must speak English. I understand a little, but it is just the basic level that I learned in high school, but my financial situation does not allow me to study it at a private institution. For that reason I want to take advantage of this opportunity to consult with you to see if there is some kind of scholarship to go and study English in the USA, even if you did not study it in the United States.

BAXTER > Martin, You are so right that having English would be very useful to you if you are going to pursue a career in international business. In your case, I would like to suggest that in order to achieve you basic level, maybe you could study here in Uruguay. For this I would recommend the Alianza Cultural Uruguay-Estados Unidos, where you will be able to find out about all the courses that they offer at this time, some of which are on-line and very useful to those people don’t have the time to attend classes in person. You will be able to find out about the chances of applying for some of the scholarships that they offer. I think that it would be better if you put off studying in the United States until later, after you’ve acquired the basics. The contact information for the Alianza in Montevideo is: Alianza Cultural Uruguay-Estados Unidos de América, Paraguay 1217, Montevideo, Tel: 9025160, and their website: http://www.alianza.edu.uy

Moderator > Martin, anything else?

Martin > No, thanks very much.

Moderator > Go ahead JJ

JJ > Good afternoon, Mr. Baxter. There is a magazine called Foro, or Forum, about teaching English. Does it still exist and how can I get it?

BAXTER > Welcome JJ. Yes, the magazine “English Teaching Forum” is published by the US Department of State. Currently it is published ina volume consisiting of 4 editions and is distributed free of charge by the US Embassy, For a subscription, just send an email to montevideocultural@state.gov

JJ > OK, that’s all I want to know besides all that you’ve already said. Thanks.

Moderator > I’m sad to say that we only have time for one more question. Sorry that the answers have been so slow in coming. Flo, go ahead with your question.

Flo > Thanks. I am an English teacher and I give classes at an institute and a public high school. I am interested in any sort of teacher training that you offer, or any lectures or information that you distribute. Can I give you my address?

BAXTER > Hi Flo. Yes, of course. My colleagues at the Cultural section of the Embassy can take your address by email at montevideocultural@state.gov

BAXTER > Well, friends, students, teachers, thanks very much for participating in this chat, it has been a real pleasure to be with you. I hope to be here again very soon to talk about another topic as interesting as that of education. Thank you very much.

Moderator > Thank you all for your participation. Good bye.

 
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