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PIE Embassy Visit
On April 22 - 24, 2002, seven members of PIE traveled to Washington, DC on the first official PIE excursion.
The members visited 11 embassies and sponsoring agencies.
During their visits, the members explained the purpose
of PIE, described their individual institutions, and made contacts with the educational advisors with the hopes
of attracting more international students to the state of Iowa.
The embassies and educational agencies visited were:
- Academy for Educational Development (AED)
- Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman
- Embassy of the State of Kuwait
- Embassy of the State of Qatar
- Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
- AMIDEAST
- Embassy of the State of Bahrain
- Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
- IREX
- Embassy of Malaysia
These particular places were visited because
most students located in these areas of the world use these institutions to enable them to attend college
in the U.S. Many of the students have some form of government sponsorship or are part of a program sponsored
by the embassy or agency. Therefore, making contact with the advisors is crucial to forming a relationship
that will enable the students to learn more about educational opportunities in Iowa, and to enroll in our
educational institutions.
Participants in the PIE Embassy Visits were:
- Omar Correa, Clarke College
- Tina Washburn, Graceland University
- Ann Gogerty, Iowa State University
- Heidi Dorr, Iowa State University English and Orientation Program
- Kristi Marchesani, University of Northern Iowa
- David Fredrick, Wartburg College
- Bob Anderson, Global Ventures, Inc.
Assistance with scheduling the visits was handled by Bill Fish, an independent consultant from the DC area.
The DC visit was an exciting, cohesive effort for PIE. Participants of the DC trip are excited to
continue with more opportunities similar to this one in the future, and they encourage other PIE Members to get
involved. The members shared their enthusiasm for the DC visit in the following testimonials:
"I liked the fact that we all were representing a unified group."
"I liked that we were in D.C. presenting a new and fresh concept of marketing as one state, Iowa. I think it
helped the various individuals remember us in a unique way as opposed to trying to remember each of the individual
institutions that they are introduced to each day."
"The trip was great. We were able to make a very positive impact as a group. All of the schools worked well
together for a common goal."
"It was a very positive first project for PIE and exemplified the kind of collaborative work that PIE members
can do. I was very pleased with the way our host organizations were impressed with PIE and also with the business
connection to PIE."
"The arrangements were first class; the cost was relatively low and the cooperative attitude displayed by all
participants was great."
"I liked being able to promote Iowa as a group and the access that gave us."
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