Randi Larson
News Editor
PHOTO BY AIDA BALDIVIEZO | TOGETHER FOR A COMMON PURPOSE: Aida Baldiviezo, international student from Bolivia , joins other students from across the world to study at WT and build skills from an international perspective.
International students account for 2 percent of the overall student population at WTAMU, representing about 35 different countries.
“Foreign students become aware of WTAMU in two ways: they do research and learn about us through the United States language center in their country, or by our active recruiting done in their country,” Kristin Combs, director of the international studies program, said.
Similar to recruiting done here in the United States, employees from the International studies offices go to high schools in other countries and present the programs and benefits offered at WT.
“We target high schools that have a high percentage of sending students abroad, we recruit the same way as it is done domestically, we just do it abroad,” Combs said.
International student from Bolivia, Aida Baldiviezo, senior mass communication major has enjoyed her time here.
“I came to WT because my brother was here and we had an American in Bolivia in charge of the paperwork and recruiting that helped me get here,” Baldiviezo said.
“It’s a good school, and it’s a good community, and by coming here I became more independent, and gained more opportunity.”
Combs will be recruiting in Quito, Ecuador as well as Cuenca next month, from March 1 to March 8 teaching about the benefits of WT.
“I will be meeting with local high school students, and doing a presentation in the evening at the United States Educational Advancement center that will be open to the public,” Combs said.“I’ll be speaking about WT, the process it takes to get here from another country, and the requirements.”
The personal touch required in recruiting is vital when selling the University to potential students from another country.
“It’s important to have that personal contact, a familiar face in a new country, it’s especially important to parents to know that on another side of the world, that their child is being taken care of,” Combs said.
Baldiviezo has gained an edge in her field of mass communication, by learning in a different country.
“By networking in a different country, in a different language, I think it’s going to make me a better professional,” Baldiviezo said.
Combs attributes WT’s success in their program to the University’s availability.
“Our scholarship department works with us, and it helps to be able to converse with the people in their own language, several on the staff as well as myself are bilingual. It’s about going to the country and being available,” Combs said.