As every high school senior knows, this is university acceptance season.  Congratulations to all those students in Malta who have received offers of admission from one of the over 4,700 accredited institutions of higher learning in the US! 

Graduates of US universities have gone on to become leaders and innovators in many fields around the world, and you should be proud of the invitation to join this special and select group of young people whose lives will be changed forever by the dynamism, openness and quality of campuses across the US.

Offers of admission are the product of much careful thought and hard work, both by the students who apply and by American colleges and universities that conduct a rigorous review of these applications.

We recognise the energy and creativity you poured into essays about your dreams and ideas, the hard work it took to prepare for English language and other examinations, and the commitments you fulfilled to community service and extra-curricular interests.

Over one million international students are now in US higher education institutions, maintaining the US’ long-standing position as the world’s top host nation for international students. 

Over one million international students are now in US higher education institutions

This is a testament to the unmatched quality of American higher education in the eyes of international students and their families.

International students strengthen ties between the US and countries around the world, developing the relationships between people and communities that are necessary to solve global challenges. We value inclusion and actively support students from diverse backgrounds on our campuses. 

Colleges and universities across the US value international students for the unique and diverse perspectives you provide both in and out of the classroom. American universities and communities benefit from the knowledge and talents of international students, which helps prepare all of us for shared, successful futures in an interconnected world.

US colleges and universities take pride in providing safe, welcoming environments for all their students and I want to stress how welcome you are in the United States.  Many US universities have sent messages of welcome to students around the world through the #YouAreWelcomeHere Campaign (https://www.youarewelcomehereusa.org). I join them in welcoming all international students to the US, where our colleges and universities offer valuable educational opportunities to help students meet life and career goals.

 Consular officials at US embassies and consulates around the world continue to work diligently to process student visa requests, and information about the visa process is available at https://travel.state.gov or at https://mt.usembassy.gov/visas/.

With over 4,700 accredited institutions in all 50 US states, there is a college or university that is right for everyone. There are study options at many price points, including community colleges and “2 plus 2” models that combine study at a community college and a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. The best investment you can make is yourself.

For students who may be considering further education in the US, I encourage you to contact my colleagues in the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (usembmalta@state.gov). Every October, we participate in the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji Freshers’ Week at the University of Malta. Visit us at our EducationUSA booth to speak to my colleagues and to me about our own educational experiences. 

Recently, we provided a good selection of US university and college catalogues to the libraries of the University of Malta, Junior College and the Gozo Sixth Form, among others. As you are planning your future studies, consult these resources; they provide invaluable information on degree programs, scholarships, application procedures, on-campus facilities and more. 

US colleges and universities welcome you, as do the American people and communities throughout our country.

Mark A. Schapiro is the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece​