Jackson State University provides over 20 Mexican students the opportunity to experience American culture through the Proyecta 100,000 program.
Initiated by President Barack Obama and President Enrique Peña Nieto in May of 2014 and continuing its third year at JSU, Proyecta 100,00 grants students from Mexico and the United States the opportunity to travel and experience the culture and education of both countries.
The exchange students celebrated their entry into the program at a reception Oct. 11 in the Student Center ballroom, where they were introduced to some of the domestic students.
“We are very proud to be a part of this program because the more we learn about each other the more we learn how to live peaceably with each other, and this most certainly is a step in the right direction,” said Priscilla Slade, special assistant to the provost for JSU Global and Community Colleges.
During their one-month experience at JSU, the students either participated or will participate in a variety of events including: a campus tour, the Mississippi State Fair, seasonal sports, museums, and a visit to New Orleans. According to Shirley Harrison, executive director of the International Visitors Center of Jackson and the spirit team coach/advisor, “Many of them have said they want to experience everything.”
Juan Hernandez, mechatronics engineering major from Guadalajara, Mexico, is ready to experience the American culture.
“I am looking forward to becoming more fluent in my English. I think I can communicate right now, but I still make a lot of basic mistakes. Also, I want to get to know better about the culture here because this is a great opportunity and because this is a part of America that I didn’t know here in Mississippi,” Hernandez said. “We have only been here for two days, but so far it’s been really good.”
Gaby Becerra, political science major from Guadalajara, Mexico, says that it is different here.
“It is good; the weather is something new; the food is little bit tasty and sweet; down home it is spicier,” Becerra said.
Jeremy Grishby, a sophomore Spanish major from Jackson, Miss., is one of the international student ambassadors who assists in welcoming international students.
“They (international programs) are very important because with international students you really want to make sure that they are involved, feel comfortable and very welcome on the university campus. So, it is very important for us to be able to communicate with them and be able to help them learn English in a better way,” said Grishby.
The university encourages all students to join in welcoming and greeting the Proyecta 100,000 exchange students to the Tiger family as they venture around the campus.
