The purpose of the PAL Program is to develop and strengthen the Educational Advising infrastructure that supports educational exchanges between the US and other countries. It was created for Senior Advisers to understand through hands-on experience how admissions and international student offices operate, to use the campus experience to provide more accurate adviser to students, serve as a mentor to other advisers who are new to the profession, understand methods for managing staff and volunteers and identify and use fundraising strategies appropriate for the financial needs of the Advising Center and home country setting.

A number of 18 Advisers were selected to participate in the PAL Program to do their research on different topics of interest or projects. All participants were fully funded by the Educational Information and Resources Branch (ECA/A/S/A) at the United States Department of State.

My research focused on two topics of interest: the development of a database system for the Department of Studies in the US (SIUS) that can be shared with other Advising Centers affiliated to the US Department of State from the Region and worldwide. This product is known as the Statistical and Information System (SIS). The second topic was about Fundraising and I focused on successful ways to find funding for activities coordinated by the Advising Center.

WORKSHOPS

1. “What Your Web Visitors Are Telling You” offered by the Ellipsis Partners Executive Education.

May 6^th, 2004, 8:30 am – 10:30 am

2. “Grantseeking On The Web” offered by the Foundation Center.

May 13^th, 2004, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
The purpose was to develop an organized, focused approach to conducting funding research on the Web. Pick up valuable insider tips and strategies through a combination of PowerPoint presentations and interactive learning exercises on the Web. All which helped me identify and focus on needs and specific resources in order to successfully seek grants as part of the Advising Center?s fundraising projects
The following issues were also covered during this workshop:

• Use Internet search engines.
• An in-depth look at the universe of foundations on the Web.
• Types of corporate givers and how to locate information you need at corporate sites.
• Sites where information on non-profit organizations can be located, including resources for researching public charities that award grants.
• Interactive services, such as discussion groups and mailing lists and how these can be used for professional development, news, and networking.
• Prospect research for individual donors on the Internet.

ACTIVITIES

05/05 and 05/06
ORIENTATION MEETINGS
During these days PAL fellows prepared for embarking on our projects. The main goals of the orientation were teambuilding, clarify goals for research component, focus and share research projects and prepare for the US phase of the project. It also served as a setting stage for the 2-day PAL Leadership Seminar on the 17th and 18th.

Working in pairs and small groups helped me understand other projects and compare them with mine even though they were not related. To exchange ideas and different points of views was crucial for me in order to be more aware of how to explain and provide information to others about my project and the purpose of my research. It also allowed all PAL fellows to think about other important issues not contemplated in our projects at the beginning. These issues ended being of great relevance for improving my initial idea of the SIS.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) exercise was administered at the Orientation meeting and results were provided at the Leadership Seminar.

After completing the second part of the Orientation meeting, I participated in the Ellipsis Partners course: “What Your Web Visitors Are Telling You”.

05/07
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
A meeting with Amy Morrill, Associate Director of the AU Abroad Office, provided a lot of information on the different benefits of using a database system and how to make it friendlier when using an internet environment. It also offered a great opportunity to see how cross reference statistics are developed by their system.
Sam Nasr, Senior Assistant Director of the International Admissions Office, explained the admission process in detail. We discussed on topics such as admission requirements, documents, I-20s, student visas and SEVIS. I had the opportunity to meet a Costa Rican student who was about to travel to Germany for her study abroad experience.

The day finished meeting with Fanta Aw, Director of International Student Services. Other Colleagues joined me during this meeting where we mainly discussed visa and immigration issues. Fanta has a wide experience in this area and has contributed for years on providing up-to-date information to the educational community. A very interesting discussion led us to an open brain storming on the future of international students and how Overseas Educational Advisers can serve as facilitators in the processes of application, admission and visa application.

These were all very productive meetings and people at AU seemed very interested in providing as much information and support as possible in order to fulfil my expectations.

05/10
THE COLLEGE BOARD OFFICE IN DULUTH, GEORGIA
During this day I focused on Synapse, a system used by all staff the College Board mostly for marketing, regional services, website support and management perspectives. I was really impressed by its capacity and benefits. Monica Montoya, Director of Business Development, Higher Education, was in charge of showing me Synapse and its use. During lunch with Douglas Wofford, Vice President of College Solutions and Market Development of the Higher Education Department, we talked about SIS and its purpose for the Advising Center. He provided me of many suggestions and ideas on how to make the best out of a database system and discussed about complexity of the systems and costs.

A very motivating and interesting meeting with Tina Bishop, provided me of much more information when talking in depth about the scope of database systems. During this meeting, Tim Bailey, Manager of Education Solutions, mentioned another system offered as part of the services provided by the College Board. Recruitment Plus, a product that has options related to database management, data integration strategies, connections to other College Board services and best-practices training and consulting. This program is mainly used for colleges and universities recruitment and admissions pursposes but its structure and purpose served for my research.

05/11
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
My first meeting of the day was with Dr. Richard Sutton, Senior Advisor for Academic Affairs and Director of International Programs and Dr. Cathie Hudson, Assoc. Vice Chancellor of the Strategic Research & Analysis Department. We went to a luncheon offered by the Atlanta Council on International Relations and the Georgia Council for International Visitors. After the luncheon, they both provided me of information about the Board of Regents and its mission through a presentation. We also talked about the IPED School database they use and useful websites. I had the opportunity to show the basic structure of the SIS and collect ideas and suggestions on how to improve it and increase its benefits. Dr. Joseph Szutz, Chancellor of Planning, guided me through the whole discussing since he has been directly involved in the creation and administration of USG databases. I then met Sue Sugarman, International Services Coordinator, who talked about international initiatives, international students, scholarship opportunities, etc.

ATLANTA COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MEETING
“Venezuela in Crisis” was the topic for discussion offered by Jennifer McCoy, Director of the Americas Program at the Carter Center.

This luncheon was the perfect opportunity to share information about the political and economic situation in Venezuela which certainly affects all aspects including international education. I was able to meet people related to different professional fields and industries. There was a large number of Venezuelan participating as well. Jennifer McCoy?s approach and update on the recent events in Venezuela led to a pool of interesting questions followed by a discussion amongst attendees.

05/12
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Unfortunately the meeting programmed with Dr. Douglas William, Associate Chair – Undergraduate Affairs of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, did not take place due to a previous meeting he had. Therefore, I attended an Information Sessions on Admissions and the College of Engineering. These sessions provided me of information related to the admission process of Georgia Tech in various fields of study. For prospective students looking to join the College of Engineering, this session led by a current undergraduate engineering student, offered a discussion about the core classes required of all engineering students as well as more practical things about being in the College of Engineering, such as what kind of a work load to expect.

EMORY UNIVERSITY
Right after finishing my sessions and tour of Georgia Tech, I went to Emory University to meet Tracy Allen from the Graduate Institute of the Liberal Arts. We had a very interesting and productive conversation about admission, financial aid and scholarship opportunities for international students as well as student visa issues. I then took a shuttle to the airport and flew back to Washington, DC.

05/13
FOUNDATION CENTER Course: “Grantseeking On The Web”.

05/14
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
A group of Advisers joined me to visit GMU in Fairfax, VA. We first met Sandarshi Gunawardena, Assistant Director of the Office of International Programs and Services, who had scheduled for us different appointments in order to help us fulfil our expectations related to our individual projects. My schedule went as follows:

— Admissions Office: requirements, documents, testing, credential evaluation, I-20s, work on campus and ESL for both Undergraduate and Graduate students. I also was able to see how SEVIS works at a university.

— Information Technology Office: information about programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Graduate levels.

— School of Public Administration: Information on Public Policy at the Graduate level

THE COLLEGE BOARD OFFICE IN RESTON, VIRGINIA
After visiting GMU I left the group and went to the College Board Office in Virginia to meet with Bradley Quinn, Executive Director of Admission and Enrolment Services. We had a long and very productive meeting. We first discussed the aspects of my project and what kind of information I was looking for. Our work mainly focused on Synapse and the Enrolment Planning System (EPS). EPS enables a college to analyze where potential exists in the country. It serves as a marketing tool and provides idea of competitors. We spent a great amount of time going detail by detail through the EPS and how data was obtained. He also provided me of relevant information on how to take the best of cross reference statistics.

05/17
PAL FELLOWS LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
Debbie Hefferon, Consultant for International Education and Cross-Cultural Training, was in charge of taking us through the whole process of re-discovering ourselves as professionals and leaders.
The agenda for this day focused on reviewing goals and interpreting/analyzing the MBTI profiles.

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISIT
A round table served for discussion on different issues related to international students, visas, SEVIS, etc. Advisers had the opportunity to share highest priorities for both Advising Centers and students in each region and mentioned some of the problems faced due to new regulations for international students. The US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs staff participating in this meeting is mentioned as follows: Thomas A. Farrell, Mary Ashley, Jean Frisbie, Ann Prince, Dorothy Mora, Rachel Waldstein and Martin Tatuch.

05/18
PAL FELLOWS LEADERSHIP SEMINAR (Continues)
Activities on this day helped me identify my leadership strengths and weaknesses. I was able to understand better my own competencies as a leader and the competencies of others. This part of the Seminar also made me realize how important it is to identify different communication styles in order to be aware of the best ways to communicate to others according to our differences and similarities. All of which will benefit mutual understanding and team work. During lunch I was able to show the SIS online and some questions were answered as well as suggestions from Colleagues. One of the suggestions was to consider doing a pilot of SIS with PAL Fellows 2004.

I highly recommend this Seminar for future PAL Programs. I must say that Debbie has always been an inspiration for me as professional and as a human being. Her participation during the PAL experience and especially during both Orientation and Leadership meetings was a key to success for this program. I was also lucky for having participated in this group of professionals; they are all very talented and committed people.

PAL FELLOWS CLOSING EVENT
The College Board staff, ECA and PAL Fellows had dinner at Mimi?s American Bistro. Certificates were given to participants by Theresa C. Schweser, Director, Office of International Education of the College Board, Janine M. Farhat, Special Projects Manager, Office of International Education of the College Board and Phillip R. Ives, Chief, Educational Information and Resources, US Department of State.

From May 19th to 21st
Pre-NAFSA Tour: Pennsylvania - Highly Selective Colleges (undergraduate focused)
Institutions visited:
Villanova University
University of Pennsylvania
Haverford College
Swarthmore College
Bryn Mawr College

From May 22nd to 30th
NAFSA Conference
Below you will find information on workshops, sessions and other important participation during the NAFSA Conference in Baltimore, MD.

Workshops
“Financial Aid Workshop for Admissions Officers and Overseas Advisers”
Tuesday 25th, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 m.

Sessions, meetings and receptions

• USBT Reunion Alumni Seminar
• USBT Reunion Gala Evening
• OSEAS Leadership Meeting
• OSEAS Update Meeting
• ECA Update
• OSEAS/ATESL Dialog: Issues and Practices in 2004
• Poster Fair: OSEAS Country Fair/Embassy Dialog
• Poster Session: Binational Centres in Latin America: A Well-Kept Secret
• News You Can Use: GMAT, GRE and TOEFL Update
• Best Practices fort Income Generating Activities for Overseas Educational Advising Centers
• Consular Affairs Update Session
• International Plenary & Luncheon: Jean-David Levitte, Ambassador of France to the US
• International Education Expo Hall
• NAFSA Opening Reception
• OSEAS Open House
• Peterson’s Reception
• ETS Reception

USBT 20th Anniversary Celebration
The main activities organized to celebrate the USBT 20th Anniversary were: the USBT Reunion Seminar and the USBT Gala. Both events took place in Baltimore on May 24th.

As Chair of the Entertainment Committee, I was in charge of putting together a number of activities to offer during both Reunion Seminar and Evening Gala. A very committed and enthusiastic group of members facilitated the process not only by providing the most wonderful ideas but planning and developing them as well. Members are listed below:

At the USBT Anniversary Gala, I served as Master of Ceremony jointly with Theresa Schweser. The program of the event included remarks from Department of State and special guests, recognitions to USBT Alumni and Campus Hosts, dinner and a Talent Show from selected Advisers and professional dancers.

This celebration was a unique event that allowed us demonstrate the importance of training opportunities offered year by year for Overseas Educational Adviser.

The continuous support of the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the College Board, NAFSA, REACs, US Embassies in our countries and , allowed me contribute once again to the reinforcement of the Advising profession, international education and growth of the Advising Center in Maracaibo and CEVAZ as a whole. I am proud of being part of such a talented and committed group of professionals and grateful for the opportunities provided throughout these years.