• Featured Program: Paris, France
• News from Abroad: The Rail Revolution
• Featured Excursion: Marseille
• Study Abroad News: Wanted - African Students
• International Trivia Question

Why should you study in Paris?  

One of the worlds major global cities alongside London, Tokyo, and New York, the City of Light has rich history, spectacular sites, and vibrant culture. As the city expands and grows much of the business and population must push toward the suburbs to prevent historic Paris from being leveled in the name of progress. As the economy of Paris grows migration is increasing - creating a pulse of cultural influence from all over the globe - yet the traditional Parisian culture and values shine through today. Don't hesitate to be a part of the beauty Paris has to offer...

What can I study there?

KEI offers:

• French Business, Law & Diplomacy

In addition to academic studies students are able to participate in a variety of internships at Banque du Bosphore Paris, Euro RSCG International, Citi Bank and many more. Students will also have opportunity to participate in excursions to Versailles, Brussels and Amsterdam. The semester programs include a trip to Lyons in central France or Marseille on the French Riviera.

See here for more info: www.KEIabroad.org. 

New marketing alliance Railteam offers hope for lower cost, faster rides, and more overall efficiency in Europe's train industry

The fastest trains of Europe currently reach approximately 200 miles an hour. The trip from Paris to Stuttgart is now down from six hours to three hours and 40 minutes. London to Paris will be just over two hours when the channel tunnel is upgraded for the fastest trains, and the links between cities are only growing.

The new push in train efficiency comes with the alliance of nearly all of Europe's major rail transportation providers under the title Railteam. Despite the cooperation, Railteam's members are still required by EU regulation to compete on pricing, though this could become blurred as rail providers work to compete effectively with air carriers.

In either case the ultimate winner will be travelers and commuters as many experts predict super-cheap trains to emerge in the mold of such airlines as Ryanair and Easyjet. The rail providers are hoping to increase annual travelers from 15 million to 25 million by 2010, a goal that - with new advancements, comforts, and marketing - seems likely to be met.

Find more information about Europe's rail travel at http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm

Featured Excursion: Marseille

Why visit Marseille?

Whether you seek a relaxing beach getaway, a chance to hike and fish, or a cultural excursion along the Mediterranean, Marseille is your destination. Having long been one of the leading ports of the Med, its 57 miles of coastline and countless creeks and streams offer adventure, fun, and solace to tourists from all over the globe all year long.

Some of the more popular sites and activities in Marseille:      

• Notre-Dame de la Garde, housed at the highest natural point of Marseille
• Château d'If, located on the island of If just off the Marseille Bay and famous for being the jailhouse of the Count of Monte Cristo.
• Vieux Port, the main marina of the city, guarded by two massive forts (Fort St Nicholas and Fort Saint Jean), is the hot spot for city dining

Learn more about Marseilles at                                             http://www.marseille-tourisme.com

Study Abroad News: Wanted - African Students

Efforts to attract foreign students have largely focused on Asia  and Europe, but legislators and educators argue for increased recruitment of African students

Testifying to a House of Representatives panel on the role of international students and visiting scholars in American Universities, Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) explained the need for changes in recruitment.

"I think we've got to be prepared to make a major investment," he said. "Africa [and] Latin America are exactly where our focus should be from a public diplomacy effort."

He went on to say that, "the future for Africa and the Africa of tomorrow in terms of the leadership in all sectors, political, economic, etc., could very well be China rather than the United States."

Thomas A. Farrell, deputy assistant secretary for academic programs in the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs said, “we’re reaching a point in Africa where we can actually say on the higher education side and the exchange side, it’s not just your elite person.… We are now going to be able to seriously engage a wider and more diverse group of people” in higher education.

Despite the push for new recruitment challenges remain such as the high cost of tuition at American colleges and universities, public and private. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) said that “the vast, overwhelming majority” of international students depend on financing from parents, home governments or loans to pay for U.S. higher education.

Click here to view a Webcast of the hearing

International Trivia Question
The Eiffel Tower, erected in 1889, was meant to stand for how many years?

[The first 2 people who e-mail KEI with the correct answer will win a money belt. When submitting your answer, please include your mailing address, email and telephone number. Hint: The answer can be found on KEI's website...]