In May, Team EducationUSA organized thoughtfully crafted trainings for high school counselors in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. All three workshops were a resounding success: counselors enhanced their skills to better support students in their educational journeys and also got a chance to form beneficial connections with one another.
Islamabad
The team in capital city kicked off the series of workshops. On May 9, over 50 counselors assembled at the Marriot Hotel to gain valuable insights into the complexities of college admissions, higher education intricacies, best guidance strategies, and essay writing. The sessions, led by the EducationUSA team and experienced counselors, proved to be extremely useful, particularly for new entrants to this field. The U.S. Embassy’s Director of Public Engagement Gabrielle Guimond spoke about the U.S. higher education system and answered various queries posed by the participants.
Lahore
The Lahore training, too, saw an attendance of over 50 counselors. On May 20, participants from the city and surrounding regions in Punjab gathered at the Lahore office to hone their counseling skills. The workshop included detailed presentations on various aspects of undergraduate applications, such as college essays, the Common App, sports scholarships, the CSS Profile, FAFSA, and so much more.
“I’m a relatively new counselor and the workshop gave me a solid foundation to kickstart my career. The sessions were interactive and engaging, and I gained valuable insights from seasoned professionals,” said Joel Samuel, a Beaconhouse College Program counselor. “I’m sure that the resources shared will help me assist my students more effectively.”
EducationUSA advisers delivered many of the sessions and enjoyed the workshop as well.
“The energy at the training was tangible. All the speakers were so passionate about their chosen topics. Their passion was contagious!” said adviser Noorulain Yazdani.
Karachi
Select, seasoned counselors from across the port city joined Team EducationUSA on May 24 to have fruitful discussions, share their experiences and insights, and partake in productive group activities. The workshop, skillfully led by EducationUSA Assistant Manager Shiza Toor, encouraged open dialogue about the U.S. application process. Discussions were guided by curated prompts, such as the increasing competition for scholarships among international students and the appropriateness of using artificial intelligence in college applications. These topics encouraged valuable exchange of information.
During an interactive group activity participants wrote down their biggest strengths and areas of interest on sticky notes and shared them with their peers. This exercise facilitated a deeper understanding of each counselor’s unique perspective.
The event concluded with a networking session over high tea, allowing attendees to connect with each other and discuss their experiences in a more informal setting. Counselors expressed immense gratitude to EducationUSA for organizing the event, highlighting its value in providing insights into different strategies based on diverse student populations and school cultures.
