(L-R) Maggie Ruiz, Ted McKoy, Latany Gamboa, Brian Almendarez, Anya Moguel, Dale McDougall, Elzafania Bol
The United States Embassy is proud to announce the participation of
seven Belizean students in two different education exchange programs to
the United States. Three Belizeans will be studying in Amherst,
Massachusetts as part of the five-week Study of the United States
Institutions (SUSI) Student Leaders Program, while four others are
preparing to depart on a year-long Community College Initiative program,
both sponsored by the Embassy of the United States of America.
Charge d'Affaires J.A. Diffily says, "I am so pleased that the Embassy was
able to offer these educational opportunities this year. I have met
these fine young Belizeans and am thrilled that they will be able to
attend these programs, representing Belize. I am confident they will
represent Belize well and return to make a positive and lasting
influence back home. These students are the leaders of tomorrow."
Study of the United States Institutions (SUSI) Student Leaders Program
Three
Belizean student leaders -- Ted McKoy of Dangriga, Anya Moguel of Santa
Elena, and Maggie Ruiz of Belmopan -- were selected to participate in
this program.
This program selects twenty students from Belize,
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama to
strengthen their leadership skills and understanding of U.S. culture and
society. The SUSI program takes place at St. Bonaventure University in
Amherst, Massachusetts from July 12 to August 15, 2009.
The
five-week program will conclude with a three-day program in Washington,
D.C., where participants will have the opportunity to meet with other
SUSI students.
Community College Initiative
Four
Belizeans-- Brian Almendarez of Cayo, Dale McDougall of Belize City,
Elzafania Bol of Toledo, and Latanya Gamboa of Belize City -- will
depart for the U.S. in early August to attend a year-long international
exchange program at a community college in order to develop professional
skills.
Brian Almendarez and Dale McDougall will be studying
Media at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida; Elzafania Bol
will study Health Sciences at Greenville Technical College in South
Carolina; and Latanya Gamboa will study Health Sciences at Gadsden State
Community College in Alabama.
Students are expected to graduate
with a certificate in their field of study or an Associate's Degree.
This opportunity also prepares candidates for future educational
opportunities in the United States.