by Nancy Sep£lveda
Daily Lobo
Dignitaries from around the world were invited to UNM this week in an effort to get more international students to come to the University.
The dignitaries represented embassies, consular offices and Fulbright Scholar foundations from countries including Taiwan, Chile, Saudi Arabia and Togo.
"This is a great opportunity for UNM to promote the general international impression of U.S. higher education," said Myriam Mu§oz, an employee of UNM's Office of International Admissions.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
It was important for the representatives to see the opportunities New Mexico offers international students, said Linda Melville, a UNM international admissions representative. When they return to their home countries, they can convince students to come to UNM, she said.
"Hopefully, we'll see a growth in our population of international students," she said. "They are the eyes that are seeing New Mexico for their students."
The visit was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Mu§oz said UNM was one of five U.S. colleges chosen to host the dignitaries. They were in New Mexico from Wednesday to today.
The visitors attended a presentation about the University and its international studies department Friday in the SUB.
A group of the University's international students spoke Friday about their experiences at UNM.
International students are given information on opening bank accounts, obtaining a driver's license and getting health insurance, Melville said.
The University also puts them in contact with immigration attorneys and provides them with temporary housing, she said.
Lara Bilikmen, a dignitary from Turkey, said talking to the international students was the most helpful part of the presentation.
"They're the ones you get the real story from," she said.
The trip included visits to NMSU, New Mexico Tech, the College of Santa Fe and the American Indian Art Institute.
The visitors were also given a taste of New Mexico's cultural and social scene, Mu§oz said.
They went to a ceremonial dance at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and watched a
Circus Nexus performance at Popejoy Hall.
Bilikmen said she enjoyed the nonacademic activities.
"Studying abroad is about more than the classroom experience," she said. "I'm glad UNM recognizes that."
Housing for international students is a concern, said Shiny Varghese, a Saudi Arabian representative.
UNM does not arrange for students to have host families, because most students prefer to live independently or in the dorms, said Tatiana Minot, who works for UNM's Center for English Language and American Culture.
Minot said most families with the financial resources to host an international student do not live near the University, which would create transportation issues.
Student Antoinette Tiopi of Cameroon said she struggled to adjust to the unfamiliar food, fast pace and friendliness of New Mexico.
"It's the weirdest thing. Everybody here waves and greets each other," she said.
Turkish student Ziya Kalay said teachers at UNM give too many assignments.
"I don't like that there is so much homework," he said. "I think this is a problem throughout the whole U.S."
