News Release

RSCCD Welcomes Mexican University Students to O.C. for Month-Long Intensive English Program at Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon College

Proyecta 100,000 Brings Mexican Students to the U.S. to Study English

WHAT:

Last spring, Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) applied to host a group of university students from Mexico through Proyecta 100,000 to come to Santa Ana College (SAC) and Santiago Canyon College (SCC) to complete an intensive program in English as a Second Language (ESL). In June, the college district was informed that it had been selected to host 47 students and that they would arrive on October 23 and stay until November 19. Proyecta 100,000 is a program overseen by the Ministry of Public Education, Ministry of Exterior Relations, the National Office of Higher Education Scholarships, and the Mexican Agency of International Cooperation and Development.

The goal of Proyecta 100,000 is to send 100,000 Mexican students, professors and researchers to study outside of Mexico by 2018. The university students arriving next week are part of this initiative and come from the states of Baja California, Chiapas, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Estado de Mexico, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Querétaro, Sinaloa, and Tlaxcala. Each student has won a $3,480 scholarship from the Mexican government to cover the costs of tuition, instructional materials, housing, meals, and insurance.

While in Orange County, the students—24 at Santa Ana College and 23 at Santiago Canyon College—are to complete four weeks of intensive ESL study involving a total of 96 hours of instruction. Since many of the students coming to Orange County are pursuing careers in business, international business, transportation and logistics, a special emphasis will be placed on English needed in a business setting, including writing business letters, telephone calls, and business terminology.

Both colleges will ensure that the visiting students are exposed to American culture. Special learning opportunities include visits to the Port of Los Angeles, the Getty Center, the California Science Center, and the Petersen Automotive Museum. In addition, the visitors will take part in the annual Halloween party at Santa Ana College and partake of Thanksgiving dinner, an American tradition.

RSCCD, SAC, SCC, and community leaders are coming together for a welcome reception to launch the students’ studies in Orange County.

WHERE:

Rancho Santiago Community College District
2323 N. Broadway, Board Room
Santa Ana, CA 92706

WHEN:

Monday, October 24, 2016
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

WHO:

Speakers at the Welcome Reception include: Claudia C. Alvarez, president, RSCCD Board of Trustees; Linda D. Rose, Ed.D., president, Santa Ana College; John C. Hernandez, Ph.D., interim president, Santiago Canyon College; and Enrique Perez, J.D., RSCCD interim vice chancellor of educational services. Also presenting is special guest Consul Marco Antonio Fraire Bustillos, Consulate of Mexico, Orange County.

WHY:

In May 2013, President Barack Obama and President Enrique Peña Nieto announced the U.S.-Mexico Bilateral Forum on Higher Education, Innovation and Research (referred to as FOBESII) to expand opportunities for educational exchanges, scientific research partnerships, and cross-border innovation. The goal was to help both countries develop a 21st century workforce for mutual economic prosperity and sustainable social development.

“Rancho Santiago Community College District is honored to be selected as part of this groundbreaking program at no expense to the district. Our students will benefit from the cultural and educational exchange made possible by Proyecta 100,000. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Mexican government and the possibility of future student and faculty exchanges,” said Claudia C. Alvarez, president of the RSCCD Board of Trustees.

About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, which serves the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Tustin.. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry.

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Contact: Judy Iannaccone

Phone: (714) 480-7503

e-mail: