International Students...Not Your Average People...

An amazing bond!  Every one, I mean everyone who comes is a miracle!  I mean, there are no accidental enrollments....no one gets signed up for being an international student without clear choice....day and night, clear choice.  I mean, it sometimes takes pain to leave family and friends and go to a foreign land...even ones that seem friendly, like America.  It takes courage.  Many have never been away from Mom and Dad.  Many are not sure if they will make it.  Many borrow money, some break with everything they know, just to know something of a new life....

Every one of these young men and women, like brothers and sisters, is brave.  They have what it takes to be an Ambassador for their country.  In fact, they are.  From the first minute....

The have what it takes to set an example....they do from the first minute....

They have what it takes to form new friends from around the globe...every minute of the journey...

Many see their seniors travel and come home with souvenirs and stories and pictures.  They want to experience it themselves.  They want to activate their own stories.  They want their achievements, in scholastic work, in internships, in relationships, maybe even from fun to love.  They have bravery that wants its own destiny!

America is so proud to receive its share of these pioneers.  CIBU is especially proud.  We assure the directors and deans of their schools that we will treasure your students here....we assure parents that your daughters and sons are our VIP's and what we stand for.  You are welcome to come visit America and CIBU and them and us when you may...

Our country needs these wonderful young people.  We should double our number of international students, as a foreign policy that makes us all stronger, as a national education policy that makes us stronger certainly from within our own system and what we have to offer young women and men from around the world.

The unifying bond in all our families, in all our alums, in all our students....is the love we share for our international world and what we all can do if we are brave enough to try.  Those who just left home to come to CIBU....you just arrived in your family...the one here in San Diego...the one here in great California...the one here in the United States...your family that has bravery as its credo....brave enough to share and test yourself for your great future.  You are not now, nor were you ever just average...you heard the call.  You took the challenge.  Welcome to the society of future leaders of this great world.