Education Session 2

Location: Social Science Centre - Room 2050
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 1, 2, 5, 7

Patterns in international student decision-making & mobility are substantially shifting. The currents are increasingly intra-regional, with emerging destinations overtaking established ones. Recent political circumstances have accelerated these changes and have upturned expectations.

How can universities across the world effectively take advantage of these trends to identify, recruit and attract qualified international students?

Within this interactive session, we will draw upon the expertise & perspectives from a variety of seasoned international education leaders to shed light on opportunities and challenges ahead.

Data & resources will be highlighted to help you to develop strategies and best practices to advance your outreach goals.

Location: University College - Room 3110
Audience: University   |   Inspirations: 4

In 2016-17, Chinese students accounted for 32% of international students studying in the US, and a large portion of these studied at the undergraduate level.

As more international schools open their doors in China, admissions officers need to understand the diverse structures of Chinese high schools and how to best connect with and support our counseling colleagues and students in the region.

We will look at how policy changes in both the US and China are impacting student perceptions and their choices for higher education.

Please come prepared with questions and ideas for discussion!

Location: Natural Sciences Centre - Room 1
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 1

Do you cringe when a parent says “WE will be applying to X university?” Is choosing a university a student’s personal choice or a family decision? Is “following your passion” a Western ideal?

How do the parents at your school measure success for themselves, and success for their children and how do your own cultural values, as a University Advisor or College Admissions representative affect the way you speak with students about their future plans?

In this session, we aim to explore some of the cultural clashes experienced by our students, share some research gathered at our schools, and try to understand some of the conflicts that exist at the confluence of Eastern and Western ideals in our guidance and admissions offices.

Location: Health Sciences Building - Room 40
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 1, 2, 3, 5

Generation Z grew up on cell phones and Xbox. Research shows this generation of college going students have been shaped by their experiences globally.

How will their experiences affect the college preparation and college matriculation of this generation?

Join us as a panel of college admissions directors and advisors discuss how students are changing, and what preparations are necessary to meet the needs of the rising International generation in college recruitment, retention practices and in college counseling.

Location: Spencer Engineering Building - 1059
Audience: High School   |   Inspirations: 4, 7

The world is changing every day and students are looking further and further afield for their higher education options. Over the past 5 years, applications to the Netherlands have skyrocketed - for good reason.

The Netherlands offers many high quality, affordable bachelor's programmes for the intrepid student. But how will you frame this option to parents, and even students who might be the best fit? What options do they have? How will you navigate the applications and admissions processes across universities? What does the admissions landscape look like in the Netherlands?

This session will give an introduction (or refresher!) to everything you need to know about studying in the Netherlands. There will be ample time to discuss and ask your questions to university representatives and counselors with experience in sending their students to The Netherlands.

Location: Arts & Humanities Building - 1R40
Audience: High School   |   Inspirations: 7

This session will showcase study options in Canada's east coast provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. Hear from two, former international students turned permanent residents on their experience choosing and studying in Canada.

This session will also highlight the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ program. A unique immigration initiative designed for motivated international students who are committed to living, working, and contributing to communities in Atlantic Canada upon graduation.

Location: Spencer Engineering Building -1200
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 3, 5

Hear high school counselors and college admissions representatives discuss best practices in sharing information during the admissions process. Counselors will share the how and why of their documents (profiles, distributions charts, recommendations, secondary school reports), and college representatives will offer insight into how they are used when reading applications.

Location: Weldon Library - Room 258
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 7

It’s a new year, and NACAC is taking steps to reimagine its membership model and governance structures, creating new possibilities for member engagement. NACAC Board Director Ffiona Rees will share details about potential changes designed to extend the benefits of membership to more professionals and to make the process of joining less complicated. Rosa Moreno-Zutautas joins her to talk about the latest proposals from the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Restructuring.

The session will highlight possible new opportunities to serve on national committees and engage in the vital work of the association, as well as ideas for simplifying the eligibility requirements for NACAC leadership positions.

This session will be interactive, and attendees will be encouraged to discuss and offer feedback on all these potential changes.

Location: Health Sciences Building - Room 35
Audience: University   |   Inspirations: 3, 5

Reviewing international high school records can be a daunting task. Should GCSEs be required or A Levels? Are the final examination results sufficient or should one request the year-by-year transcripts? What about high school systems that conclude after a total of 10 years of education? How does one determine a GPA or equivalent if a student submits documents from more than one curriculum (e.g., International Baccalaureate with A Levels, etc.)?

Two seasoned professionals, a university admissions officer and a credentials evaluator, will provide a global overview of secondary education and then share their experiences with handling these grey areas!

Location: Natural Sciences Centre - Room 145
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 1, 3, 6, 7

Whatever we're doing right now, we look across at our colleagues counseling in schools, or recruiting for a university, or an independent, or working for an organisation and think how easy it would be if I didn't have 'my' stresses and had theirs.

Hear from those of use who've crossed to other roles that the grass isn't necessarily greener, it's just different. We're not trying to put you off; we're hoping to inform you about what we've found so much better, but also what we hadn't anticipated. Come if you want a peek over the other side of the fence.

Location: Spencer Engineering Building -2200
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 4, 5

This session will share counselor perspectives from India, Bangladesh and Nepal about different university initiatives that can drive engagement with high schools in the South Asia region. The panelists will share their experiences about university initiatives such as counselor meetings, students/parents interaction events, topical workshops, establishing special scholarships etc and recommend ways to make them more effective for high schools in the region.

The panelists will also bring into focus the importance of effective communication/messaging when operating in different countries and even different geographies within a country, which can dramatically impact student and counselor engagement for university initiatives.

Location: Middlesex College - Room 110
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 1, 3, 5

According to the collaborative LGBTI rights website Equaldex, there are 73 countries where homosexual activity is illegal. Even in countries with LGBTQIA+ protections, homophobia remains a problem and affects a number of secondary students each year. What are the challenges that LGBTQIA+ international students face and how can we best support them through the admissions process?

Explore data from Equaldex, research from the UCLA WORLD Policy Analysis Center, and other sources. Hear colleagues from both sides share how their offices have attempted, failed, and succeeded in creating a more supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ students. Share your own experiences and ideas.

Location: Western Science Centre - Room 55
Audience: High School   |   Inspirations: 3, 6

Data can enhance your daily work and discussions with students, families, colleagues, and administrators. But beware, there are pitfalls with collecting and interpreting data as well!

A group of high school counselors will share how they have used data to inform and transform university advising practices and overall programming, to varying degrees of success and frustration. Come join us for an interactive session that will give you actionable ideas and (hopefully) the inspiration to do a data project (or two) this coming school year!

Location: Talbot College - Room 141
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 3

This past year saw significant changes that impacted international students and the counselors who serve them. Presenters in this session will report on the evolving landscape of international school counseling support resources, and how institutions are currently leveraging the Common App to connect students and universities.

Join us to learn about the Common App’s ongoing commitment to serving the international community, and discuss how new technology can better support international students in planning their postsecondary education.

Location: Spencer Engineering Building -2202
Audience: University   |   Inspirations: 6

International admission can offer many paths to advance your career. It can also lead to stagnation when you are always on the road and your work is being done out of sight and therefore, often out of mind.

Join a discussion with various road warriors in different stages of their careers and how they used the challenges of international admission to advance in their perspective roles. We will also highlight ways to flourish as a remote/regional counselor.

Location: Somerville House - Room 3345
Audience: Both   |   Inspirations: 3, 5

College admission has become associated with stress, anxiety and unhealthy behaviors. We will present ways that college counseling programs and admission practice can redirect the message to promote a process that yields meaningful reflection, growth, well-being, and positive school cultures.

We will give examples of opportunities for student advocacy, wellness initiatives, and providing a bridge of support for a healthy entry to college from both the school and college admission office perspectives.

Participants may learn some new approaches, and will also have the opportunity to share their own best practices for student-positive counseling and transition support.