Press Releases

U.S. Ambassador encourages Tanzanian students to consider studying in the U.S.

November 16, 2007

The Public Affairs Office of the United States Embassy and the Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania sponsored a U.S. College Fair last week at Aga Khan Mzizima campus. The College Fair provided free information about colleges and universities in the United States the priority of the U.S. government to encourage many Tanzanian students to consider studying in the U.S.

On this point, U.S. Ambassador Mark Green remarked to the hundreds of students assembled, “We are here because we are looking to you as the next generation of leaders.” Studying in the U.S., he added, “gives you a chance to learn more about the United States. It also gives us a chance to learn more about you, and it gives us the chance together to create the leaders of tomorrow.”

Tanzania’s Minister for Livestock Development, Hon. Anthony M. Diallo (MP), who obtained two degrees from the U.S. was also a volunteer at the College Fair, representing one of his alma maters, the University of Phoenix. He stated, “I am here to see prospective students who would like to study in the U.S., so that we can impress upon them which schools to go, which fields to undertake.”

Ambassador Green said, “There are some myths floating around that America is shutting its doors. That it doesn’t want foreign students anymore. That it doesn’t want students from certain countries or certain religions. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am here today and my staff is here today to find and encourage legitimate students to get accepted to our schools, to get student visas, and to study in America. Right now there are more than two thousand Tanzanians already studying there.”

He explained that U.S. Secretary of State Rice has made it a top priority to get as many students as possible studying in the U.S. In honor of this week’s International Education Week, she stated that the U.S. “has no more valuable asset internationally than the friendship of the millions of young people, citizens, and leaders around the world who understand the United States because they have studied there.”

During the College Fair, volunteers representing 23 American Colleges and Universities spoke to the hundred of students from the mainland, Unguja, and Pemba on various aspects of applying to and attending American colleges and universities. Students had the chance to learn and ask questions about many aspects of college/university life in America. The Chief of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, Robert Hannan, gave a presentation on how to apply for and obtain a student visa.

Ambassador Green also shared that he himself is the son of international students. His South African father came to America on a student visa so he could complete his studies at University. He said, “It was that experience that enriched my family and led me to be where I am.” He added that “foreign students enrich our educational system in America, and increase America’s understanding of the world.”

The ambassador strongly encouraged the hundreds of secondary students present to look at the 8000 schools in America that accept foreign students.

The Ambassador told the students that apart from the College Fair, the U.S. Embassy helps prospective students find free, reliable, unbiased, information about study in the U.S., and how to apply for a student visa is through the Educational Advising Center and the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy itself, all year round.

Management Counselor of the U.S. Embassy, Dr. Tulinabo Mushingi, also volunteered to speak to students about Georgetown and Howard Universities. He remarked, “I was given the opportunity to study in the U.S. and I want Tanzanian students to have the same opportunity.”