Opening Remarks by Eric G. John, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, The 23rd Annual U.S. Higher Education Fair, Imperial Queens Park Hotel, Saturday, October 4, 2008 (As Prepared for Delivery)
Thank you, Dr. Chalintorn, for your kind introduction, and also for putting together this terrific fair. I am very pleased to see so many U.S. institutions represented here, including my own alma mater, Indiana University. Most of all, I am delighted to see so many students here learning about the incredibly diverse educational opportunities available in the United States.
Thai students have been studying abroad for literally centuries, and many of Thailand’s most distinguished citizens have studied in our country. We are proud that even His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, the Royal Father of His Majesty the King and known as the father of Thai medicine -- studied in the United States.
The tradition of Thai students studying abroad continues today. Thailand is the 20th most populous country in the world, but Thai students are the 9th largest source of international students in the United States. In fact, according to the latest statistics, there were almost 9000 Thai students at U.S. institutions of higher learning in 2007. That number has been rising over the last couple of years, which is a trend we certainly hope to see continue.
Why choose the United States for study? One reason is to perfect your English, which will open many doors for you. Another is to study not only with Americans, but also with other international students from around the globe.
The world today is more interconnected than ever before. Tomorrow's leaders in government, business, and other professions will be those who can interact effectively with people from around the world. Many of the key challenges our countries face – security, the environment, economic issues -- are global in nature and require people to work together across borders. Meeting those challenges effectively requires people with cross-cultural skills and experience, the kind of experience that you’ll develop studying in the United States.
But it's not just the challenges that are global in nature, it's the opportunities as well. It is no exaggeration to say that an international business degree, for example—and especially an American one—can open doors to a lucrative career. That may explain why business and management continues to be the number one single field of study for international students in the United States. I bet many of you in this room are thinking of that field, as well.
We also have many international students who study the sciences, including engineering, medicine, math, and computer science, and a significant number who study the social sciences and humanities. Whatever you’re looking to study, I’m sure you can find it in the U.S.
But let me not forget the most important reason to study in the United States: American colleges and universities deserve their reputation as among the very best in the world. These schools hire the top scholars to teach and to conduct research. Their equipment and facilities are cutting edge. Plus, I don’t believe there is anywhere in the world that offers the breadth of choice for students in terms of fields they can study than we do in the United States.
Finally, I don't want to leave out what I personally think is one of the best reasons to study in the U.S.: being a student on an American university campus is really fun. By that, I don't mean that there are wild parties (but there are) or that the classes are easy (they're not). I mean that there is a spirit of personal freedom and intellectual growth you will experience in that environment, which I believe is hard to match anywhere else. You will meet people from all over the United States, and from all over the world, in a setting which stimulates your minds and your hearts. I think most people who have experienced that look back on their time at a university in the U.S. as being among the best years of their lives.
So I encourage you to take your time to look around this hall, to learn which university is right for you. I wish you good luck and tremendous success in achieving your dreams.
Thank you.