REMARKS to u.s. university students BY AMBASSADOR AGUIRRE
 

U.S. -- Spain Council
XII Forum – Salamanca
June 23, 2007

Thank Vice-Rector for International Relations, Manuel Alcántara Saez, for organizing this informal get-together.

As we discussed over lunch on Thursday, since I arrived in Spain almost two years ago, I have been interested in the academic exchanges between our two countries.

When I was a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Houston System, I noted with interest the importance of academic exchanges between Texas and other countries.

These made our campuses intellectually richer, more competitive, and more attuned to our growingly interconnected world.

Meeting with American students here in Spain, I am always impressed with dedication and seriousness of your endeavors.

Your choice of the University of Salamanca places you in a long, historic line of students from other regions and countries, who for almost 800 years, have journeyed here to challenge themselves.

The interest shown by the generations of American students who have come to this university to study Spanish language and culture is impressive.

Since these programs started, U.S. students have been one of largest, if not the largest, groups of foreign students at this university.

This year, for example, of the 1,400 students enrolled in the Program on Spanish Language and Culture, 70% are Americans. This interest is so evident that the Director of International Courses characterizes July as “American” month.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for being informal American “ambassadors.” Through your presence in Salamanca… and Spain, you represent the United States.
You help your classmates, professors, and the people with whom you come in contact develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of our complex society.

I wish you success in your studies, enjoyment in Spain, and our best wishes for your future plans.
 

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