Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
The opportunities that Hondurans have to study abroad do not stop despite the covid-19 pandemic in 2021, said representatives of the Honduras 2020 Scholarship program.
Pamela Ayala, deputy presidential delegate, expressed to THE PRESS that are on the verge of opening a new call for all professionals who wish to leave this 2021 to continue training abroad.
“Education does not stop, for this 2021 professionals continue to be supported, since the commitment of the program is consecutive until completing their studies, as long as it is meeting the requirements, “said Ayala.
The presidential subdelegate explained that the scholarships they offer are benefits, since the only thing that scholarship recipients are asked to do is make the most of their education and, upon returning to the country, spend more than two years practicing in any public or private institution ; in addition to support with volunteering in the areas where they are studying.
“Since its inception, international scholarships have benefited 1,236 Hondurans with a cost of L402,687,399. So far, 244 scholarship holders have graduated and are already back in our country ”, he added.
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Daniela Flores, international scholarship manager, commented that applicants can go to any university in the world, but preferably it is among the best universities. Hondurans have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate, doctoral, specialty, subspecialty, diploma, and other studies.
Currently the countries that have the most scholarship recipients are: England, Spain, United States, Mexico and Costa Rica, among others. “We got to have professionals studying in 37 countries on four continents of the world,” said the international scholarship manager.
Among the universities that stood out in the last calls are: Harvard, Oxford, John Hopkins, University of Manchester, University of Bristol, University of London and the Autonomous University of Mexico. Scholarship opportunities have priority for the health sector, in addition to the six areas where an economic increase is desired such as tourism, agro-industry, textiles, orange economy, intermediate manufacturing and housing.
More chances
The European Union (EU) also offers study opportunities in the Old Continent through Erasmus + scholarships. Martin Tusl, in charge of education affairs in the EU Delegation in Honduras, pointed out that there are study opportunities in the 27 EU member countries with around of 300 universities.
Among the requirements to apply for one of the Masters scholarships are to have an undergraduate degree, a motivation letter, letters of recommendation, a good level of certified English by an international examination.
It is a competitive program open to students from all over the world. “Around 450 Hondurans have benefited from the Erasmus + program from its inception in 2007, “said Tusl. Among the benefits granted by these scholarships are the roundtrip plane ticket, medical insurance, tuition, allowance for installation expenses of 1,000 euros and a fixed monthly allowance of 1,000 euros for living costs.
“Last year 8 Hondurans were selected for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programs and obtained scholarships. Their destinations were Spain, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom ”mentioned the European.
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Due to the pandemic, their academic activities are mixed, that is, face-to-face and online depending on each master’s degree. On the other hand, Juan Fernando Ramos, Recipient of the Taiwan ICDF scholarships in 2015, he commented that as a former scholarship recipient they have created, together with other Hondurans, the page “Becas para Hondureños”, a digital portal that offers information on more than 170 scholarship and financing programs, virtual talks offered by former scholars, counsel in the process of applying and reviewing motivation letters, in order to support other compatriots who wish to pursue higher studies at home or abroad.
“With this initiative we hope to forge a better future for Honduras, giving all young people the opportunity to pursue their dreams,” said Ramos. This Monday, the National Autonomous University of Honduras (Unah) will present the first international scholarship newsletter virtually from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
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