U.S. Ambassador Yamamoto Advises Ethiopian Students to Study in America
(11/26/07)
In a “Study in America” fair held at St. Joseph’s School in Addis Ababa, U.S. Ambassador Donald Yamamoto urged students to consider getting their university education in America after completing secondary school. Ethiopia needs the skills that U.S.-educated young men and women bring back to their homeland after studying abroad, Amb. Yamamoto noted, and many highly-qualified youth are able to secure scholarships and financial aid if they plan ahead and apply early. The Ambassador spoke to over 500 students from 25 schools throughout the capital city in the half-day event.
Public Affairs Counselor Michael McClellan urged students to start thinking and planning two or even three years in advance of graduation if they really want to achieve their dream of studying in America. The biggest value of an American college education, he said, is developing the skills to think critically, to be fully independent in thought and action, and to learn self-reliance. Also, he noted, the cross-cultural experience of living and studying in another country is invaluable to one’s own growth as a person and there is no better way to perfect English-language skills than to be immersed in an English-only environment.
Although there are over 3600 colleges and universities in the United States, only about 200 of them offer financial aid to international students. According to Yoseph Shiferaw, the U.S. Embassy Educational Advisor, this still gives Ethiopian students many options for study, all across the United States, but they should apply to several schools to increase their chances. Ato Yoseph also noted that students need to build up their resumes by doing volunteer activities, participating in sports, working with NGOs or their churches and mosques, and study hard to get the highest possible TOEFL and SAT scores.
As part of the advising fair, the U.S. Embassy donated small libraries to each attending school so students will be able to access information on “Study in America” throughout the year.
Last year, approximately 1300 students from Ethiopia were enrolled in American universities, but that number should be much higher, according to Amb. Yamamoto.
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