By Nico Evers, Director of Higher Education Services

 

 

[Updated 14 September 2021]

We’ve come a long way since we launched our university fairs into the online world in 2020 with one clear goal in mind: to ensure a continuity of service in connecting students at our international member schools with our university members worldwide during the pandemic.

Years of confidence in our highly valued in-person fairs had laid a foundation of trust in our community, so we knew we had high expectations to meet when making the transition to an online model.

The result? Our 2021 virtual University Exploration Days are proving to be a successful solution for members, thanks to our committed team and continual consultation and feedback from our members and students who identified features that work for them.

 

"Students have been inundated with so much information this year that oftentimes it's challenging to sift through all of the offerings. Having one set time for a fair with a variety of options during the school day gave them an opportunity to focus and do research."

—Amy Colfelt, Secondary School Counsellor, Hong Kong Academy

 

An important part of these events is that they include learning opportunities for students. Live presentations from university faculty and admissions staff provide students with the chance to learn, diving deeply into aspects of the university learning and living experience. 

Our university members worldwide showcase what they can offer students, help them with their queries, and get to know their ambitions during 1:1 dialogues about the admissions process, the university life experience, financial aid options, and so much more. 

 

"There was excitement that everyone was attending the sessions together, signing on for the live presentations especially. The live university sessions created the most interest and energy"

—Amy Colfelt

 

One of the strengths of our virtual Exploration Days is that they provide access to students in remote locations or who are unable to travel to visit university campuses. At the 'fully funded' University Exploration Day on 23 June, we’re collaborating with the HALI Network and full-scholarship schools around the world to connect high achieving, low-income students with opportunities for studying globally where universities offer the financial support they need to see them through their higher education living and learning experience.

As students explore and research their next steps beyond secondary school, we work with our members to support the best possible outcome for those who are interested in international higher education opportunities.

It’s all about being connected, communicating, and working closely with our colleagues across the international university admission and guidance community. 

A big THANK YOU to all participating CIS member schools plus collaborating organizations who work with us to make it possible. We've listed them below.

If you would like to connect your students with universities around the world and provide them with access to the educational experiences our University Exploration Days offer, we are now scheduling our 2021/2022 events. To participate, our member schools can log into the CIS Community portal and contact me via the link on the portal homepage, I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

 

CIS member schools and organizations that participated so far in 2021

[Updated 14 September 2021, more events and schools added below]

Shanghai region: March 2021

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi	Wellington College International Shanghai
Shanghai American School	Wellington College International Tianjin
Suzhou Singapore International School	Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)

 

Switzerland: April 2021

Aiglon College	International School of Zug and Luzern
Collège du Léman International School	International School Rheintal
Haut-Lac International Bilingual School	Leysin American School
Institut Montana Zugerberg	Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz
International School of Berne	St George's International School Switzerland
International School of Geneva	The American School in Switzerland
International School of Lausanne	Zurich International School

 

Hong Kong region: May 2021

Canadian International School of Hong Kong	Hong Kong Academy
Chinese International School Hong Kong	Stamford American School Hong Kong
Harrow International School Hong Kong

 

France: June 2021

American School of Paris	International School of Nice
Bordeaux International School	International School of Paris
École Jeannine Manuel	International School of Toulouse

 

Fully Funded: June 2021

Participating CIS Member schools and HALI Organizations include:

Abaarso School of Science & Technology	Open Dreams
AEO Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools	Our Moon Education
African Science Academy	Pearson College UWC
Aga Khan Academy Mombasa	SHOFCO
Ashinaga/ Liger Leadership Academy	Tanzania Students Achievements Organization
Bridge for Future to DRC Scholars	The School of St Jude
Dream Rise Foundation	Tujenge Africa Foundation
Education Matters/USAP Community School	UWC Atlantic College
EDULCOD-Togo	UWC Changshu
Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology	UWC Changshu China
Imagine Impact (Imagine Scholar)	UWC Dilijan College
Jewels Scholarship Fund	UWC East Africa - Moshi Campus
Kakenya's Dream	UWC Maastricht
KenSAP	UWC Mahindra College
Kucetekela Foundation	UWCSEA East Campus
Makomborero Zimbabwe	Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA
MPESA Foundation Academy	Zawadi Africa Education Fund

 

Africa: September 2021

American International School of Lagos	International Community School of Abidjan
American School of Yaounde	International School of Gabon Ruban Vert
Bishop Mackenzie International School	International School of Kenya
Braeburn Garden Estate School	International School of Tanganyika
Braeburn School	Khartoum American School
Braeburn School Arusha	Luanda International Community School
Braeside School	Rusinga Schools, Nairobi
Brookhouse School	UWC East Africa
Dar es Salaam International Academy	Westwood International School
International School of Dakar	Windhoek International School

 

Eurasia: September 2021

International School of Nur-Sultan	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics Almaty
Miras International School Nur-Sultan	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Aktobe
Nazarbayev Intellectual School for Chemistry and Biology in Shymkent	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Kokshetau
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Aktau	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Kostanay
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Almaty	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Nur-Sultan
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Atyrau	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Taldykorgan
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Karaganda	Nazarbayev Intellectual school of Physics and Mathematics in Taraz
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Kyzylorda	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Uralsk
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Petropavlovsk	Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics Semey
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Ust-Kamenogorsk	Nazarbayev Intellectual School, Physics and Mathematics, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology, Pavlodar	Tashkent International School
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Nur-sultan	Tien Shan International School

 

 

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Related content:

• University guidance counsellors at CIS member schools
  • Direct your students to complete a form that adds their contact details, academic interests, preferred countries of study and more to the University Connection Registry. Our university members can then access their details and get in touch. Log into the CIS Community portal > Services > University Guidance >  Registry
  • Join your peers and university admissions representatives from around the world in November for our virtual annual CIS Global Forum on International Admission & Guidance. 
     
• University members
  • Log into the CIS Community portal to view the list of events to meet with students and review the University Connection Registry to connect with students at CIS member schools worldwide.
     
• Both
  • Log into the CIS Community portal and visit the webinar library to learn about key challenges and approaches being taken to support student transition university.