Mr. Randolf Mariano, Information Resource Associate, United States Embassy to the Philippines, and Ms. Katrina Springer, US Embassy Cultural Affairs Fellow, delivered “ExperienceUSA Talk” to Louisians at a forum on the US Department of State’s International Affairs programs, University of Saint Louis (USL), July 1, 2016.

Mr. Mariano presented “American Spaces” as platforms that provide information about the United States, its culture, and values; English language learning; and study in the U.S.

Mr. Mariano also shared about an online resource website, eibraryUSA, which can be accessed by the students and teachers.

“If you will visit eLibraryUSA, you can access several resources that will help you in your researches,” he pointed out.

“But you have to sign up for your membership on Facebook and use a working email.”

He also brought to light the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).

Launched in 2013, YSEALI is U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia.

Through a variety of programs and engagements, including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, regional exchanges, and seed funding, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture an ASEAN community.

On the other hand, Ms. Springer emphasized that there are very few Filipino international students abroad. Encouraging everyone, she presented about EducationUSA.

EducationUSA is a network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 170 countries, and is supported by the U.S. Department of State.

The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States.

Mr. Mariano remarked that one factor that hinders some to study abroad is the lack of financial assistance, saying then that there are several universities abroad which offer scholarship programs as means to finance one’s studies.

Also present at the forum were students from the School of Education, Arts and Sciences (SEAS), Supreme Student Council representatives, the school’s English Language Fellow, Ms. Cerise Santoro, college and high school English faculty members, SEAS Department Heads, and some members of the USL Administration.

To access eLibrary USA, “Like” through Facebook “American Spaces Philippines,” then click on eLibraryUSA. Instructions to access resources through eLibraryUSA will be given thereafter.