As published in Kibris (July 6), Cyprus Weekly (July 30, p.15) and Phileleftheros (July 30, p.8) newspapers

It's your Future: Time to consider study in the USA

Large numbers of Cypriot students have traditionally studied study abroad. And for many years, Cypriots have chosen to study in the United States in increasing numbers.  Recently, however, parents and students have concluded that membership in the EU confers cost advantages for Cypriots that make a U.S. education seem far out of reach in comparison. Fortunately, this is not necessarily true.  Cypriots can still afford to study in the USA, and, because of the unique advantages of an American education, I am convinced that they should make every effort to discover these advantages and how they can profit from the coveted American educational experience.

Home to what I would argue are the world's best educational institutions, the United States is always ready to accept qualified students from abroad. And there are very sound reasons for making an extra effort.  For example, American schools are not the best simply because they attract the best students or hire the best professors, although that may be true. They are not the best because their libraries, laboratories, playing fields and cultural resources are the best, although that may be true also.    

The real virtue of American education is its diversity and its flexibility.  By choosing to join the foreign student contingent, you will make a contribution to that diversity.  You will join nearly 600,000 students and professors from virtually every country on this globe in the adventure that is American higher education. 

The American university of the 21st century is a magnet for those who want to excel, to learn the latest techniques and work with the newest technology, to match wits at work and play with people who think differently and who have different approaches  and solutions. 

You will be enriched by this cross-fertilization.  Another reason for deciding to study in the USA is the immense flexibility its graduates possess when they "finish" their American education.  You will not be channeled into a narrow field of study that affords no relief from your major, as you would be in Europe.  You will see how interdisciplinary work contributes to both sides in the exchange.  You will see how the student of physics gains new perspective by studying music, how the medical student's study of poetry aids in understanding the human condition.   

When you enter the job market in this world - a world that is changing so fast  it makes your head spin - you will be able to adapt as needed and far more readily if you've got an American education.

Although the high cost of a U.S. higher education may seem discouraging at first, there are actually many ways of getting around this hurdle.  First of all, costs vary tremendously.   Total annual costs of tuition, fees and living expenses can range from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the institution and the location.  This gives you, as prospective students, the opportunity to select institutions that fall within your budget.  Second, many of the more expensive private institutions offer financial aid for international students based on merit or need.  Financial aid opportunities increase further at the graduate level, where students can apply for teaching, research or administrative assistantships as well.  Finally, if you meet the criteria, make sure you apply for the CASP and Traditional Fulbright scholarships administered by the Cyprus Fulbright Commission.

Our educational advising service at the Cyprus Fulbright Commission is a good place to start. ( http://www.fulbright.org.cy) For the second straight year, the CFC staff received over 35,000 inquiries in 2003.

Despite the competition from other countries, interest among Cypriots in studying in the USA remains high. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), a prestigious independent non-profit organization, at least 1,834 Cypriots were enrolled in U.S. universities in the academic year 2002-2003, an incredible figure for an island with a population of less than one million.

In spite of the advantages that a U.S. higher education offers, some observers have created the perception that it has become more difficult for students to get visas to study in the United States.  Closer scrutiny of the issue reveals a very different picture.

On the one hand, the United States recognizes that to remain competitive it must do what is necessary to attract the best and the brightest.  At the same time, the 9/11 attack made it clear that changes governing entry to and exit from the U.S. were necessary.  To balance these issues, the U.S. invested heavily in technology and people to enhance two key objectives: keeping America open and ensuring more secure borders.  Secretary of State Powell summed it up best when he said our motto is "Secure borders, open doors." Our improvements are making long waits a thing of the past, and further decreases are likely as the U.S. introduces more automated systems.

 As we implement important measures to make our borders and the traveling public more secure, it is important to point out that these steps have not changed the criteria for issuing visas to visit or study in the United States.

Today,  travel by Cypriots to the United States is increasing after a significant dip following the events of 9/11, and our embassy issued more tourist visas in the first half of 2004 than in the comparable period in 2003. 

The SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) tracking system eliminates altogether the need to delay some student applications. Electronic finger scanning will make it easier to verify that legitimate students and travelers qualify for visas.   This will actually facilitate their entry into the U.S.  And each year the Embassy makes a special effort to ensure all students are interviewed in time to make their first day of school.   This year will be no exception.

These improvements result from a colossal investment in manpower, technology, facilities and new procedures.  The State Department has hired and trained hundreds of new consular officers who are still coming on stream.  We have installed new equipment to provide faster, more comprehensive information.  We have revised application procedures and regulations under the watchful eye of the U.S. Congress to meet new standards. 

For the qualified Cypriot student, the United States places an impressive array of services and security at your disposal. You already have access to the full range of U.S. educational resources, and now you can rest assured knowing that America takes security and openness seriously, all with little or no inconvenience to you.

We want you to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that attracted you to America in the first place and to give you the peace of mind that your security is our concern as well.