Honor grad bridging the gap between countries
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com

Angel Espinoza received a scholarship study abroad in China. Formerly of El Campo, Espinoza returned to his home in Mexico after his high school graduation to work and attend college. He was offered a scholarship by the Aguascalientes government in an effort to learn the Chinese language and take courses on the Chinese economy and culture. He will be in China for a year. During his studies there, Espinoza visits the Ningbo Tengtou Ecological Tourist Area. Plant sightseeing, flowers, trees and seasonal fruit picking yards make up the agriculture landscape. Contributed Photo

Angel Espinoza, a 1997 honors graduate of El Campo High School, came to El Campo with his family in 1991 not knowing a word of English.

According to his sister, Lucia Espinoza, he mastered the English language and is now learning a new one.

Located thousands of miles from the town he grew up in, he is experiencing the Chinese culture and learning to speak Chinese. He will be there for a year.

Upon his graduation, Espinoza returned to his home in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

"After he graduated from high school he moved back to Mexico on his own," Lucia said. "After a few years of study, he received his master's degree in electronic engineering."

Determined to start his own business, he worked for several different companies saving his money.

"A few months later he heard on the radio that the Aguascalientes government was offering 100 scholarships to the 100 most qualified citizens of that state." she said.

He met their criteria.

"The requirements are as follows: Must be between the ages of 18-32, must be nativeborn of Aguascalientes, Mexico, must be working or studying, able to speak the English language, obtain a recommendation letter, have a couple of interviews and finally be determined to live in China for one full year," Lucia said.

Lucia's brother has been in China since September 2007.

As the economic exchanges increase between Mexico and China, more people with expertise in the Chinese economy and Chinese culture are needed.

For these reasons, universities sent their students to jointly cultivate more talent with universities in Ningbo.

"He will be developing productive projects and learning to negotiate with China," she explained.

Each of the 101 students from Aguascalientes was offered a scholarship by the Aguascalientes government. Their main task in China is to learn Chinese take courses focuing on the Chinese economy and culture.

Espinoza is studying at Zhejiang Wanli University.

In November 2006, a delegation headed by the governor of Aguascalientes visited and signed a cooperation memoranda with Ningbo University and Zhejiang Wanli Unversity.

More exchange visits were paid by the two cities, who finally agreed on the Mexico students' study in Ningbo.

Dr. Armando Jimenez San-Vicente, economic secretary, said these were the top students from 30 universities in Aguascalientes. Because of China's rapid economic growth, he also wishes to strengthen cooperation between high schools in Ningbo and Aguascalientes through such exchanges.

After a year of study, Espinoza will return to Mexico.

"He wants to come up with some business venture to bridge the gap between his country and China," Lucia said.

Angel, the third of five children, is the son of Arturto and Emma Espinoza of El Campo. His other siblings, Gilberto, Jose, Juan and Lucia, all live in El Campo.