A. M. 
On november 18, the U.S. Department of State announced that 1,451 salvadoran students participated in exchange programs during the 2023-2024 academic year, representing an increase of 10.8% since last year. El Salvador ranks as one of the eight most notable countries in the Western Hemisphere with the largest increase in students traveling to and studying in the United States.
“The United States continues to work with El Salvador to increase educational and economic opportunities for the Salvadoran people. The growing number of students traveling from El Salvador to the United States to study at U.S. educational institutions is a testament to the strength of this enduring cooperation”, said Ambassador William H. Duncan.
With the goal of further increasing this number, the U.S. Government celebrated International Education Week (IEW) from November 18-22. Together with several U.S. universities, educational exchange opportunities were provided for salvadoran students to achieve their educational and professional goals.
During IEW, the U.S. Embassy, in conjunction with the State Department’s student advising network, EducationUSA, held a two-day seminar at the Centro Cultural Salvadoreño Americano in San Salvador for 30 teachers and alumni of the Salvadoran American Scholarship Program. The teachers, from different regions of El Salvador, received workshops to improve their technical and interpersonal skills, including critical thinking, storytelling and emotional intelligence.
In addition, the Embassy and EducationUSA facilitated a virtual meeting through the Facebook platform to discuss and answer questions from future beneficiaries about the steps to follow to apply for a student visa. Representatives of the Embassy and the EducationUSA El Salvador counselor clarified the concerns of cybernauts and shared useful tips on how to prepare to apply for these opportunities.
Finally, six representatives from universities in Michigan and Mississippi visited their salvadoran educational counterparts. Representatives from Hope College, Michigan State, Ferris State, Calvin University and Grand Valley State University (all in the state of Michigan) and a representative from the University of Mississippi participated in a Facebook Live session where they answered questions about different aspects of importance to international students. Some questions addressed topics such as campus life, academic programs, international student support, financial aid options, alumni networks, and professional development. In addition, representatives visited schools in San Salvador and La Libertad to promote the opportunities available to salvadoran students.
The United States leads the global world in the number of international students; it welcomed more than 1.1 million students in the last academic year. Its educational institutions are diverse and attract students from all over the world, including those from El Salvador, offering unique opportunities for cultural exchange and academic development. Programs such as Fulbright, Humphrey, the Salvadoran American Scholarship Program (SASP), and Study USA Student Leadership Institutes (SUSI) reflect the U.S. commitment to providing access to transformative educational experiences, shaping the next global leaders and strengthening cooperation between our nations.
