For the second time this year, EducationUSA’s South Asia Tour brought U.S. university representatives to Pakistan, with five of the 14 universities touring Pakistan for the first time. From September 17 to 27, the representatives were able to build lasting connections with students, parents, counselors, and key administrators in Pakistani institutions through curated school and college visits, networking sessions, and large university fairs in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.
Thousands flock to public fairs
Held at the Marriott Hotel in Karachi, the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, and Pearl Continental in Lahore, the massive fairs saw a combined footfall of over 4,000 attendees. Students and young professionals interested in pursuing higher education in the United States got the unique opportunity to directly speak to reps and get their queries answered. The most widely discussed topics were admission requirements and financial aid options.
“The face-to-face interaction and information sharing that happens during EducationUSA’s South Asia Fair is so important – it always leads to meaningful, productive connections that open doors for so many talented Pakistani students,” said USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar. “Once again, we’re thrilled to host representatives from across the United States so they can see for themselves all that this country has to offer.”
Kevin Murray, one of the two representatives from Drexel University, agreed.
“This tour is a wonderful opportunity to meet students interested in studying in the United States,” said Murray. “The EdUSA team is wonderfully supportive and knowledgeable about the U.S. higher education landscape – they truly create a productive, tailored environment for us to meet students.”
These large fairs, open to the public, are crucial in promoting higher education opportunities in the United States to a wider group of prospective students.
‘Mini fairs’
The tour also included curated visits to schools and universities in all three cities, offering more intimate settings for discussions and potential student recruitment. Reps were able to get an inside look into Pakistani institutions, offer personalized guidance, and observe the potential in the country.
“Searching online for higher education opportunities in the United States can lead to information overload,” said Syed Mustafa, a sophomore at Habib University, Karachi. “Speaking with reps directly definitely helped me get a better understanding of the process, and this will greatly influence my decision of choosing prospective schools.”
Networking teas
EducationUSA also arranged networking teas in each city specifically to facilitate interaction and connection-building between the visiting reps and local high school counselors and university officials. Over good food and music, participants shared trends and application insights from both perspectives, and identified avenues for collaboration.
