By Rodrigo CoutinoStudent Body President 2006-2007
It was not until last May, when attending a Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board Meeting at Corpus Christi, that I realized that all other A&M Universities are called after the city where they are located, except for us; they call us “International”, that’s our demonym. But what is the real meaning of the word added between “A&M” and “University” that impacts so much the way we are seen from above (we are the southernmost A&M)? It is the power that allows every student from “International” to stand out in a highly competitive world. It is the gift that most “Internationals” have of speaking more than one language, our “international” adaptation capacity of working together with completely different people from completely different scenarios, our “international” taste (where else can you find tacos, hamburgers, pasta, and Chinese food at a university cafeteria), our “international” geographical location, but most of all our “international” character, which everyday is more valued by institutions, companies, and the new world era in which professional success is accompanied by new challenges.
As we get deeper into the 21st century, we will get to see how an array of powerful economic, social, and technological forces (a.k.a. globalization) will compel Universities to respond to the challenges presented by our changing world. I can proudly say that as “Internationals” we already have the opportunity of getting the preparation needed for that 21st century new professional standard. Don’t miss the opportunity of getting the most of what you can only get from TAMIU, make friends from other countries, study at least one semester abroad, learn another language, join a student organization, develop skills far beyond academic knowledge, develop that “international” leadership character that will place you in front of many others who did not play by the new rules, and most of all, consider yourself “International”.