Armed with U.S. Education, Many Leaders Take on World

An article in the Washington Times reports on the "surprising number of politicians, diplomats, lawmakers, military leaders and business tycoons from around the globe—in countries both friendly and hostile—[that] have spent time in U.S. colleges and universities, a source of ‘soft power’ that has boosted the country’s interests in often surprising ways." According to the U.S. Department of State, there are more than 300 current or former world leaders that have undertaken studies at U.S. higher education institutions. According to Allan Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education, "We have been the most open to students from other countries. That’s why we continue to be the leading destination country, and it’s been a long, long period that we’ve been that... The credentials [obtained from U.S. institutions] matter, and the byproduct is that they gain a better understanding of the United States."

To read the full article, please visit: www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/19/armed-with-us-education-many-leaders-take-on-world/?page=all#pagebreak.