May 15, 2009

Fear of Flu Virus Ravages Mexican Universities' International Programs

By Marion Lloyd

Mexico City

The H1N1 influenza epidemic has had a devastating effect on Mexico's fledgling internationalization efforts in higher education, with more than 30 percent of foreign students fleeing the country since news of the virus broke just three weeks ago, according to university administrators.

Some universities report exoduses of as much as 60 percent, said Thomas M. Buntru, president of the Mexican Association for International Education.

More than half the

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