In a globalized world, the Latin American region has been acquiring an increasing importance in world politics and economics. The 19 Spanish-speaking countries and Brazil have a combined population of nearly 580 millions people. From the perspective of the United States, Latin America has historically been a crucial region, from the economic to the cultural perspective. As globalization, free trade and immigration flows increase the contacts between the U.S. and Latin America, the study of the region offers a wider range of opportunities for students and scholars at the graduate and undergraduate level.

Washington University, aware of this reality, offers both an undergraduate Latin American Studies major and a graduate Latin American studies certificate, which, by themselves and in combination with other majors or minors, positively impact the job market profile of our students According to the July 1st, 2005 report of the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population of the United States is estimated in 42 million, while the Latin American born population makes up about 15% of the total population of the country. This simple demographic fact opens a diverse set of professional and intellectual possibilities for Latin American Studies scholars. The following list provides some examples:

• The growing Hispanic market in the United States and the increasing economic ties between South and North America have made Latin America a fundamental element of corporate and trade strategies worldwide. Today, the major economic markets of the United States (such as Boston, California, New York, Chicago, Texas, Florida) have considerable Hispanic populations. In this world, business majors and M.B.A. graduates with a Latin American studies background have a comparative advantage in the world market, as large corporations seek executives with a better understanding of the region’s complex social, cultural and economic issues.

• Latin America offers an increasing number of study-abroad and fellowship opportunities. In Washington University, we have in place in-house programs in Chile, Mexico and Ecuador, with other countries forthcoming. Some of our students apply to other programs and fellowships with environmental, political and social organizations in the region. NGOs and institutions such as Fullbright, Comexus, the Ford foundation, Human Rights Watch and Greenpeace have a strong presence in Latin America, and students with a Latin American background have a wide array of fellowship and internship opportunities in them.

• Given the increase of Latin American populations in the U.S., many professions related to everyday life in the country increasingly require knowledge not only of Spanish or Portuguese but also of the cultural traits of the new immigrants. Students working towards health, medicine, social work and law degrees find that knowledge of Latin American culture is increasingly becoming a need of the field. Thus, major hospitals and law firms are on the look for qualified professionals with a Latin American Studies background.

Given these and more reasons, Washington University students are everyday more encouraged to look into Latin American Studies. In the job market, in the academic field and in the world at large, Latin America is the way to go!