PERRY TRAVELS TO SOUTH AMERICA AS PART OF STATE BUSINESS MISSION

Southeast Missouri State University hopes to open its doors to more international students by participating in a business mission to South America July 11-25.

The trip includes stops in Chile, Argentina and Brazil. About 30 state, business and education leaders have been invited to join Gov. Mel Carnahan. Jesse Perry will represent Southeast. He is the director of Intensive English Programs at the university.

The mission is designed for companies and universities interested in developing business opportunities or enhancing efforts with the nations.

While on the trip, Perry hopes to meet with a variety of students, advisers, educators and members of the business community who are interested in the opportunities in international education that Southeast can provide.

"Governor Carnahan's participation will make a solid statement that Missouri's leadership understands the impact globalization has on our business and educational communities," Perry said.

He plans to meet with leaders of secondary schools in South America to promote university degree programs and the intensive English language training available by studying in the United States. He also plans to meet with business leaders who are interested in establishing trade relations within the region.

The business mission is the most recent in a series of overseas business endeavors led by Carnahan.