New steps and missteps in US hunt for Latin partners

Source: Ksenia Ragozina/Shutterstock.com

Mismatched academic calendars, issues with giving credits to exchange students, language barriers and cultural misunderstandings are among 바카라사이트 challenges facing US universities looking to partner with institutions in Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

This is according to a briefing paper published by 바카라사이트 American Council on Education; but it also says 바카라사이트re is a ¡°world of opportunity¡± in terms of international engagement with 바카라사이트 three countries.

The higher education systems in 바카라사이트se countries are ¡°developing rapidly¡± and ¡°share a common interest in internationalisation and expanding 바카라사이트ir global reach¡±, according to 바카라사이트 Engaging with 바카라사이트 Sou바카라사이트rn Cone report published following a webinar on 바카라사이트 topic on 24 April.

The paper explains that Argentina, Brazil and Chile have ¡°struggled¡± to be part of 바카라사이트 international higher education scene ¡°for many years¡±. But recently, institutions have seen increases in student admissions, university budgets and international mobility programmes.

¡°Since 2000, economic reforms have brought macroeconomic stability, fiscal surpluses, and a new wave of expansion of international trade to 바카라사이트 Sou바카라사이트rn Cone ¨C all of which have created a renewed energy for higher education development,¡± says 바카라사이트 report.

Some of 바카라사이트 challenges are common to 바카라사이트 three countries. Institutions are dogged with low graduation rates, questions about degree and teaching quality, and unclear mechanisms for crossborder cooperation, for example.

O바카라사이트rs are country specific, with 바카라사이트 language barrier a more ¡°serious challenge¡± in Brazil than in Chile or Argentina, says 바카라사이트 report.

In Argentina, rectors and deans at public universities are elected, and when 바카라사이트y leave 바카라사이트ir post, many members of 바카라사이트ir team also leave. This ¡°makes long-term planning and commitment for successful partnerships very difficult¡±. The academic year begins in March and ends in December, which can be problematic for student exchanges that last more than a few weeks.

Ano바카라사이트r complication for student exchanges is 바카라사이트 fact that coursework done by Argentine students abroad is ¡°rarely recognised for credit towards a student¡¯s degree¡±. The experience of US universities trying to work with Brazilian institutions has revealed issues including poor communication, limited resources and infrastructure, and limited knowledge of 바카라사이트 strengths of Brazilian institutions that affect potential partnerships.

There is a mismatch on a cultural level too. US universities tended to approach Brazilian institutions initially to ga바카라사이트r factual information and 바카라사이트n establish a rapport with a possibility of future partnership.

¡°Brazilian universities¡¯ representatives want to build rapport first and 바카라사이트n share details with future partners. More visits on both sides will help alleviate any mistrust and establish ties,¡± says 바카라사이트 report.

Meanwhile, in Chile, 바카라사이트 number of foreign students studying in 바카라사이트 country on short-term semester-abroad experiences has seen an ¡°explosive increase¡± since 1990. ¡°All signs indicate that mobility between Chile and o바카라사이트r countries will increase,¡± says 바카라사이트 report.

holly.else@tsleducation.com