The university boasts a comprehensive internationalization strategy, providing diverse opportunities for students and faculty to engage in global experiences. The goal is to ensure that every CETYS graduate has participated in an international experience by 2030.

Commenting on the current scenario, Dr. Scott Venezia-Corral, Director of International Relations at CETYS University, reveals that 70% of CETYS graduates currently have international experience. However, under the new curriculum plans, the objective is to elevate this figure to 90% by 2027, further advancing to 95% by 2028 and ultimately reaching a full 100% by 2029 before graduation.

In his detailed explanation, Dr. Venezia highlighted that the array of opportunities for international experiences extends beyond semester-long mobility programs. Options such as short stays, pursuing Double and Triple Degrees, or engaging in the International Summer Program (ISP) at the International Campus in Ensenada are available. Initiated 11 years ago, the ISP aims to deliver an international experience to students without them having to leave Baja California, integrating foreign faculty and peers. At present, it hosts up to 300 students from over 20 countries, fostering cultural exchange within a classroom setting.

«Each of these courses or subjects abroad represents an additional avenue for our students to immerse themselves in international experiences. The considerable benefit stems from the invaluable international exposure they acquire. Of great importance is the fact that these programs remain cost-effective for our students, and the support and scholarships we award to foreign participants in the ISP have paved the way for the development of additional opportunities for our students abroad,» emphasized Dr. Venezia.

Explaining further, Dr. Venezia pointed out that the participation of CETYS faculty in teaching courses or sessions at foreign universities serves as an encouragement for partner institutions to reciprocate. This reciprocity is manifested through their educators delivering lectures to CETYS students, enriching a dynamic that significantly enhances mutual support and collaboration.

He recognized the challenge of ensuring the learning of students from different cultures, given the diverse educational systems and teaching modalities in their respective countries. Nonetheless, he highlighted that overcoming this challenge is rewarding, particularly when it concludes with weeks of collaborative work, processes such as distance learning, entrepreneurial project presentations, and securing funds among institutions for the benefit of students.

Sharing details on the pursuit of international funds, Dr. Venezia explained, «We’ve had the fortune of several universities choosing to submit proposals to the European Union to access Erasmus+ funds, a program supporting the mobility of faculty, staff, and students from countries outside the European Union. These universities have specifically sought these funds to attend our ISP, underscoring their recognition of the program’s quality and commitment to supporting it in this way.»

Dr. Venezia emphasized that CETYS University’s ISP has expanded, not only in the number of students from other countries but also in the number of partnerships and support mechanisms for these students during their two-week visit to the International Campus in Ensenada. Concerning the Erasmus+ program, he confirmed that these funds have also been utilized to enable CETYS students to undertake internships abroad.

He underlined that CETYS University’s success in promoting internationalization within its student body has positioned it as a model for other higher education institutions in Mexico and across the globe. This serves as an inspiration for these institutions to adopt a broader approach to internationalization, allowing them to formulate a more complete, extensive, and high-quality strategy for the benefit of their communities. «Internationalization stands as a pivotal strategy for CETYS; we have evolved into an exceptionally internationalized university. This spans from the curriculum content to the myriad opportunities our students have, both within the institution and abroad, enabling them to cultivate a global perspective and become true citizens of the world. This journey transforms them into better individuals, well-rounded personalities, proficient professionals, and sought-after entrepreneurs,» he concluded