Michelle Leigh Fredrickson

Internationalization in Mexico 

(Portilla, 2012)

• The National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education (ANUIES) is the primary organization responsible for data collection

• The Ministry of Education, Ministry of International Affairs and the National Council of Science and Technology establish policies for international student data collection.

Internationalization Policy Efforts:

(Portilla, 2012); (Open Doors, 2012)

• Mexico’s ongoing National Education Plan outlines specific measures of intensive internationalization and collaboration through regional, national and international systems.

• The North American Mobility Program (PROMESAN), which is financed by the governments of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, promotes study abroad programs among North America universities.

• The Latin American Academic Training (ALFA) Program has cultivated collaborative networks between higher education institutions in the European Union and Latin American countries since the 1990’s.

• “100,000 Strong in the Americas” a plan initiated in 2013 aims to increase the number of exchange students in all of the Americas.

• The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has had a positive major impact on Mexico-U.S. exchanges over the past two decades.

Internationalization Quick Facts 2010/11

(Portilla, 2012)

• There were more than 7,600 international students in Mexico.

• The top five countries of origin for study abroad students were France, United States, Spain, Germany and Colombia.

• The most popular destinations for Mexican students to study abroad are Spain, United States and France. 

• Nearly 60 percent of international students in Mexico study humanities or social sciences.

Inbound Higher Education Students 2010/11 

(Portilla, 2012)

• As a destination, the largest number of international students in Mexico (Patlani Report) came from France, at 18.8%. The next highest senders were the United States (13.2%), Spain (9.9%), Germany (9.7%), Colombia (5.5%) and Canada (4.9%). Also contributing were Australia, South Korea, Argentina, and the Netherlands.

OutBound Higher Education Students 2010/11 

(Portilla, 2012)

• 13,893 students from Mexico were studying in the United States.

• Mexico is the ninth leading place of origin for students coming to the United States.

• The majority of Mexican students study at the undergraduate level.

(Open Doors, 2012)

Resources