The Global Student: US College Fair
There’s been a significant upturn in the number of our students interested in applying to study overseas, with a great turnout at our recent US College Fair, which was facilitated by Linden Tours.
Organised by Director of Student Opportunity and Careers Education, Ms McFetridge, the event was a chance for 韩国AV students in Years 9 to 12, and students from neighbouring Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College and North Sydney Girls High School, to find out more about the tertiary education opportunities on offer in the United States.
“It’s all about providing ongoing opportunities for our students,” says Ms McFetridge. “We want them to explore the limitless possibilities that are available to them beyond School. Through initiatives like this, we are encouraging them to create a future that is global and tailored to their individual strengths, interests and talents.”
Students spent the lunchtime visiting stalls and chatting with representatives from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Foothill and DeAnza Colleges, Fordham University, Hofstra University, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, University of Hawaii, Manoa and Whitworth University.
Lucy (Year 10) will sit for Oxbridge in New York at the end of Term 2, where she is hoping to study Business and possibly Criminology. The course, based in the city famous for its strong policing to curb rising crime, includes spending time with the NYPD offices who fight crime, visiting courthouses and meeting with lawyers to learn how the authorities deal with local and global challenges like terrorism. For Lucy, the Fair was confirmation that she definitely wants to study overseas, and spend time living in one of the world’s greatest cities.
Ashleigh (Year 10) particularly enjoyed talking to Mr Steven Richman, Dean of International Recruitment at Hofstra University. While she is still contemplating her options, possibly exploring property development, she was impressed by Hofstra’s outstanding facilities and its location.
Sophie (Year 10) was born in the US and is considering an international exchange, possibly studying psychology or international relations overseas.
Rebecca (Year 12) has long nurtured an ambition to study mechanical engineering at the University of Southern California. For her, it was useful to talk to US college advisers about the admissions process, and also to see what other universities could offer her.
Overall, the Fair highlighted to our students that studying in the US is a rich and meaningful experience. In particular, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of colleges and wide range of educational programs available in the United States, many of which are recognised worldwide and favoured by employers. And of course for the monoglots, there’s the added incentive that there is no language barrier in the States to complicate matters!
Beyond worries about culture shock and homesickness, one of the main barriers to studying internationally is trying to figure out the admission process. Understanding a different educational system – in particular, its exam requirements and its deadlines - can trip you up before you've even filled in your application form. So our students relished the opportunity to find out more about the systems and processes - and the huge diversity of courses on offer.
The world, as they are rapidly finding out, really is their oyster!