In June, a new website offering complete information about study abroad was unveiled, further helping the association present a professional and comprehensive service to the public.

“We formatted a new layout to better serve the public,” explained Mariglan Gabarra, executive director of the association, which enables all BELTA members to be reached. “We are pleased with this next step.”

The association also has regional coordinators now across the vast country. Carlos Robles, President of the association, commented, “Our goal is to make BELTA’s logo a seal of quality [across the country].”

The birthday party was hosted by the Embassy of Spain, a country which is among many seeing a rise in demand from Brazilian students seeking an overseas opportunity. Around 360,000 Brazilians visited Spain last year – up almost 50% on 2010 data. Spain is keen to further build on this growth.

“We want to show that studying in Spain doesn’t mean only improving your Spanish, but being in contact with an immense cultural [repertoire] and an amazing history,” said Elvira Marcos Salazar, consul of tourism of Spain. She said that Spain “has pioneer universities, which serve as a model for all Europe”, which Spain would be working with BELTA members to promote.