International Trade Study Made Richer by New A&M International Agreement

Undergraduate students aspiring to secure a future in the field of international trade now have an opportunity to study it from another country's perspective through participation in Texas A&M International University's student exchange program in San Luís Potosí, Mexico.

A&M International and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey's (ITESM) campus at San Luís Potosí signed an agreement recently that would allow for a direct exchange of students for a period of up to one year.

Direct exchange means students from both institutions will be able to enroll in the program to receive credit in their respective institutions upon completion. Students pay the same tuition and fees as that of their home institution.

Students interested in applying must do so by April 15 by contacting the A&M International Office for International Programs, said Jannet García, Office director.

Dr. John Kohl, College of Business Administration dean, said the College is seeking to build on existing agreements and add new ones.

"One of the focal points will be our agreements with Mexico. Because of NAFTA and our involvement in it, it is critical that we have agreements such as this one," Kohl said.

For his part, Miguel Campos, president of ITESM at San Luís Potosí, said the newly-signed agreement serves to fulfill his University's mission of providing students with an international experience and preparing them for the future global market.

"If you take a look at the map, our most important trade corridor extends from Mexico City to San Luís Potosí, on to Monterrey, Laredo and Houston. This agreement will strengthen the preparation we give our students because they will get a first-hand look at how international commerce takes place from both countries' perspectives. Another advantage is that both our universities are relatively close in geographic proximity to each other," Campos said.

A&M International currently has agreements with universities in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Mexico, Morocco, The Netherlands, Paraguay and Spain.

For further information, please contact Jannet García at the Office for International programs at 326-2566. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu