New Zealand is aiming to increase its profile as a study destination in Latin American as the minister of tertiary education, skills and employment visited the region for the first time last month and announced expanded mobility agreements with key trade countries.

Denver-based Bridge Education Group has announced three new university partnerships along the US East coast. President Jean-Marc Alberola said the move follows Bridge’s strategy to open 15 to 20 campus-based centres in the next five years.

Many countries are now keen to court foreign entrepreneurs, with Chile being one country offering financial support to those willing to relocate and start-up there. Arundati Dandapani explores the link between foreign study and migrant entrepreneurs and speaks to various success stories around the world for who overseas study led to a whole new world of opportunity.

From 2014, Chileans could be able to travel to the USA without having to request a visa, prompting not only more tourism for America but study abroad traffic as well. The two countries are close to signing an agreement over the US Visa Waiver Program, which allows visa-free travel to the US for up to 90 days.

Chile-based Poliglota uses Facebook to connect language learners and volunteer teachers worldwide. Within two years of launching it has attracted 33,200 users and now wants to expand into Brazil, spying opportunity in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

The Institute of international Education (IIE) has launched a series of university fairs in Latin America to help science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) students connect with US universities. The fairs will be held in America's top Latin markets, Brazil, Mexico and Chile. Some 41% of all foreign students in the US took STEM courses last year.

Colombia has signed two mutual degree recognition agreements in as many weeks following Memorandums of Understanding reached with Portugal and Chile. The agreements are part of a campaign to increase internationalisation in Colombia's higher education sector and recognition of its graduates in the global workforce.