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Okay Poco, here's another idea for Colombia

I have been thinking about what some of my students as well as the posters here have said about tourism.

So I came up with a different idea, and something anyone can help with, whether they are in the US, Colombia or another country.

I want to open up opportunities for more Colombia students to study abroad, specifically, undergraduate and graduate students to attend university in the US.

There are lots of scholarships out there for Hispanic students, but I would like everyone´s help in finding them.

There are different directions to go with this...

1) Finding Strato 1-3 students with 50 plus ICFES scores and finding them positions abroad, mostly in other Latin American countries

2) Finding English-speaking (there would have to be a minimum TOEFL score) student and sending them to Master's and undergrad programs in the US (and other countries) for International Relations, International Business and Government-Political Science. (Yes, I know, those are very defined subject areas, and yes, Colombia needs doctors, engineers, dentists, etc., so that could be more flexible).

3) There would be a requirement that students return to their countries of origin and use their newly-developed skills for, let´s say, five years

Ultimately, I would probably need to write a grant to an organization like the Inter-American Development Bank or the USAID to get the matching money to make up for some of the areas that partial scholarships might not cover, such as tuition, room & board, books, computers, etc.

I know the Gates Foundation offers international students scholarships, but the deadline for this year has passed already.

Eventually, I would like to expand to Venezuela, Bolivia and Paraguay. And I would like to build reciprocal relationships with Colombia universities (like high school exchange programs) where students from the US (and other countries) could study here.

By caulfield2 on Feb 19, 2006, 06:52 in Friendly Talkzone.

caulfield2 says on Feb 19, 2006, 07:12:

Oh, I forgot one thing.

I would like these students who would like to go into government and-or ambassadorial type positions to do internships with the Colombian consulates in the 8 US cities (Chicago, LA, Houston, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Washington and NYC)

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Wastelandlive says on Feb 19, 2006, 10:08:

Caulfield... This idea might have some legs at State (who has to grant the visas) and at the Dept. of Education.

But it's pretty ambitious. You'd need a partner - a senior partner - in the US. It's going to be pretty tough from down there.

And my question to you is... how is this a business idea? How are you going to make money?

Or are you? Maybe this is just a personal ambition?

Wasteland

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poco says on Feb 19, 2006, 12:03:

Flattery will get a response However, I usually offer unsolicited "opinions"

You have good ideas and this is a longer version highlighting what was said by WLD.

This idea seems OK. I don’t understand the education business but it appears to be a “charter” for existing Non-Profit organizations.

The idea about starting a finca rental location business for foreigners (and of course Colombians) had the most appeal. The classroom involvement seemed to fit your situation. Miamimike had a recent question about how to locate and rent these properties.

Some thoughts:
Conduct business with a Colombian “partner”. Colombia finance/ownership, in some instances, be a consortium of individuals forming a partnership that contributes the capital. I know of one “business” that consists of over 300 individuals, all related by a common profession. A U.S. general partnership w/o the regulations.

Most successful endeavors will be viewed as a transfer of money from someone else’s pocket into yours,, unless it is creating NEW wealth or opportunities. This is problematic at best.

Stay away from politics, social issues, drugs, oil, bars, gambling (except casinos) and loose women.

Opportunities are “in the works” every night world wide. The population increased by 1.5 Billion in 20 years. The current level is 6.5 Billion and climbing. It seems logical that towns and cities will become larger and changes are coming, like it or not.

An interesting Java Applet will load when you goto:
http://www.ibiblio.org/lunarbin/worldpop

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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