Article at a glance:
Welcoming Atmosphere: The International ACAC conference at Western University was incredibly welcoming, emphasizing the theme of "Welcome Home" and fostering a supportive environment for all attendees.
Valuable Networking Opportunities: The conference provided numerous opportunities for secondary school counselors and universities to connect, including the U.S. University Fair, Global University Fair, and Counselor Fair.
Insightful Sessions: Attendees benefited from insightful sessions, such as the one featuring Bowdoin College, Swarthmore College, and Denison University discussing need-based financial aid for international students.
Professional Development: The conference offered tailored tracks and sessions, helping counselors and university representatives enhance their knowledge and skills in supporting international students.
Genuine Dedication: The dedication and passion of the attendees, who work directly with students, highlighted the importance of building relationships to improve global education opportunities.
The International Association for College Admission Counseling (International ACAC) recently held its annual conference at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.
Most international students have never heard of this organization, yet several thousand are probably impacted by it every single year.
International ACAC is a professional association and non-profit organization headquartered in the United States. According to Erin Garcia, executive director, its goal is to help build relationships between guidance counselors at secondary schools and higher education institutions.
You may think this doesn't affect you that much, but these relationships are absolutely critical for so many students looking to study in another country. Most likely, it is your guidance counselor helping you in some way during this important time in your life of trying to decide where to go to university and the application process.
Depending on your school, if you have a guidance counselor who is a member of International ACAC, they probably have met representatives and have connections with some of the most prestigious universities in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and around the world. They may also know about more cost-effective universities if you are in need of scholarships.
There are more than 3,800 members worldwide from more than 140 countries. At this year's conference, 1,457 were total attendees, with 687 attending for the first time ever (including myself)!
So, I decided to attend this year's conference to witness the impact firsthand, how these relationships form, and share my major takeaways with our international student readers.
Takeaway 1: Wow, So Welcoming!
I've attended several conferences throughout my career, especially ones related to international education. Most conferences can be described as pretty stuffy, straight-to-business, and usually very transactional. Conversations can usually be summarized as, "This is what we can offer you. Do you want to do business with us?"
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It just depends on your goals. But I share this because it was kind of what I was expecting.
Wow, I was surprised!
Of course, there were still those business conversations, but overall, it had a completely different feel. From the moment I checked in to attending the "first-timers" session, it was incredibly welcoming and very fitting with the conference's theme of "Welcome Home."
During the First-Timers session, I noticed how all the speakers, including President-Elect Wilson Lee, recalled how nervous they were when attending their first International ACAC conference, providing advice and relief to the several hundred in the room.
They covered everything, from the various sessions, how to get around campus, and even how to use the Whova app, which I will also say, is probably one of the most impressive and used conference apps I've downloaded.
As you can see from this screenshot, people actually used the Community feature of the app, from asking the organizers any questions (and they actually answered) to creating meet-ups so you were never by yourself during the week.
Soon after the first-timers session, there was the official Welcome Reception, where we were greeted by representatives from Western University and witnessed probably one of the most moving award ceremonies in a very long time.
I saw dedicated professionals moved to tears having been recognized for their passion and commitment to students.
It was at this moment that, on the first day, I realized what made this conference so different from the others I attended.
The vast majority of these conference attendees work directly with students every single day, and they are genuinely passionate about doing what is best for their students.
These are the folks on the "front lines" who make their schools so special. They truly want to build relationships with others because it means having more resources and connections to help their students back home.
Takeaway 2: Anticipation for the Fairs
I heard from several participants that they attend this conference every year because of the fairs that take place. So, naturally, I was curious to see these fairs in action.
There are three fairs that take place at each conference:
U.S. University Fair: There were more than 300 universities from the U.S. represented.
Global University Fair: There were more than 150 universities from outside the U.S. in attendance.
Counselor Fair: There were more than 520 schools with counselors from around the world represented.
Essentially, these fairs are an opportunity for universities to showcase their institutions to secondary school counselors and vice versa.
The U.S. university fair kicked off on Wednesday, July 10. That morning, it was pouring rain and absolutely miserable outside.
But from what I could see, it did not phase a single participant.
U.S. University Fair at International ACAC on July 10, 2024
These fairs provide equal opportunities for all. Secondary school counselors get the chance to learn about and connect with universities around the world, and universities get to meet potential partners who can guide talented students their way.
The fairs are only two hours long, so it’s literally impossible to visit every table and make meaningful connections right there and then. However, it's a great starting point. With all the sessions and activities planned throughout the week, you'll definitely see everyone again to talk more about working together.
Moreover, the fairs are well-organized. They provide a map in advance showing where all the schools are located during the fair, so you can plan ahead and be sure to stop at any school you may be interested in partnering with. This preparation ensures that both counselors and universities can make the most of their time, strategically navigating the fair to establish and nurture meaningful connections.
Secondary School Counselor Fair at International ACAC on July 11, 2024
These interactions lay the groundwork for future collaborations that benefit students, opening doors to new educational opportunities and fostering a global exchange of knowledge and culture. The fairs epitomize the spirit of the International ACAC conference, emphasizing the importance of relationships and community in the realm of international education.
Yes. I see why the fairs are the most anticipated events during the conference!
Takeaway 3: Insightful Struggles
Approaches to Need-Based Financial Aid session during International ACAC on July 10, 2024
The International ACAC conference is also a significant platform for learning and professional development. It offers a plethora of insightful sessions tailored for specific audiences as well as sessions open to all attendees. These sessions provide invaluable insights into various aspects of international education, address common challenges, and share best practices.
One particularly impactful session I attended featured representatives from three U.S. universities sharing their experiences with providing need-based aid to international students. Both university representatives and secondary school counselors highly anticipated this session. University reps were eager to learn more about the nuances of need-based financial aid and how to offer it to international students effectively.
Meanwhile, counselors wanted to gather information about the universities that are presenting potential options for their students. A vast majority of counselors in attendance shared they did not feel confident about advising students who are interested in need-based financial aid.
The three universities that presented were Bowdoin College, Swarthmore College, and Denison University. While each institution offers need-based financial aid to international students, they employ different approaches.
Long story short, There is no streamlined or consistent process that secondary school counselors can help students navigate. Every university or college that provides need-based financial aid will have different processes and ways of calculating how much financial aid a student needs.
Attending this session was profoundly insightful. It not only deepened my understanding of the challenges and solutions surrounding need-based financial aid but also inspired me to expand the resources available on the International Student Voice website. Stay tuned for more updates!
A Heartfelt Thank You
Attending the International ACAC conference at Western University was a truly enriching experience. From the welcoming atmosphere to the invaluable learning opportunities, this conference demonstrated the profound impact of building relationships between secondary school counselors and higher education institutions.
The sessions, especially those focused on providing need-based financial aid to international students, highlighted the collective efforts to support students in their educational journeys. The dedication and passion of the attendees underscored the importance of these collaborations in enhancing global education.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the conference organizers for allowing me to attend and witness firsthand the incredible work being done to support international students.
If you're a student meeting with your counselor, see if they are a member of International ACAC! They'll probably be surprised you know about the organization. Just say you learned about it from International Student Voice!
Have questions or would like International Student Voice to cover your next event? Contact Carrie Circosta at info@istudentvoice.com