JAMAICAN STUDENTS and their parents and counsellors will have an opportunity to discuss studying abroad with representatives of American colleges and universities during a three-day College Fair scheduled for November 2000.
The fair is being organised by the American Embassy and will take place at the Hilton Kingston Hotel November 1 and 2, and at the Holiday Inn Montego Bay on November 4.
The fair is a tremendous opportunity for students in Jamaica to have one-on-one interaction with representatives of admissions offices of tertiary institutions in the United States, said Eva Barnes who is co-ordinating the event for the Embassy.
"Not only will students be able to discuss the diversity of programs offered, but they can use this forum to clarify issues and concerns about the US tertiary institution in which they may be interested," she said.
A representative of the Educational Testing Service will be on hand to participate and to advise students on new developments on the SAT, GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL examinations required for admission to American institutions.
Ms. Barnes noted that approximately 3,000 students participated in last year's College Fair and that 50 American and Canadian universities and colleges were represented. The number is expected to increase this year. In addition to the fair, the Embassy will organise several workshops on various aspects of the college application process.
Counsellor for Public Affairs at the American Embassy Michael Korff-Rodrigues hailed the fair as an opportunity to encourage Jamaican students to broaden their horizons by studying abroad.
"Although we do our best to provide as much information about American higher education as we can, there's nothing like getting it 'from the horse's mouth', that is, from the college representatives themselves," he said.
"I hope Jamaican students and their parents will take advantage of this unique opportunity to talk to representatives of 40 or 50 institutions and ask what's really on their minds."
College Fair 2000 is a precursor to International Education Week, November 13 through 17. Activities during this week will be geared toward increasing the awareness of study opportunities in the United States, fostering classroom-to-classroom connections, and increasing ties between US and Jamaican educational institutions.
