James Kon
Bruneians heading to the United States (US) of America for studies are advised to become ambassadors for the Sultanate and heed the responsibilities to be good global citizens and scholars.
The call was made by US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn McClelland in her congratulatory remarks at the pre-departure orientation for the US-bound students at Mulia Hotel yesterday.
Organised by the US Embassy in Brunei Darussalam through its EducationUSA advising service, some 50 scholarship recipients and self-funded students along with their parents attended the event.
“This year, students from Brunei have been accepted to some outstanding institutes across the US including America University, Michigan State University, Hawaii Pacific University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lane Community College, New York University and California Stet University,” McClelland said.
Despite the current and ongoing global challenges, she said, “We strongly encourage prospective international students to apply to study in the US, as colleges and universities in the US are committed to providing the same high quality education, keeping in mind students’ health and safety first and foremost.”
The embassy’s Acting Political, Economic and Consular Chief Siree Allers briefed students on visa application process and COVID-19 guidelines in the US.
Current and returning students also provided insights of the culture and experience of staying in America including health, safety and security on campus.
Fourteen visiting students from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University who are currently doing a collaborative research with Universiti Brunei Darussalam under US Fulbright specialist Dr Rolf Mueller also attended the event.
EducationUSA is a US Department of State network of over 430 international students advising centres in more than 175 countries and territories.
