A recent EducationUSA press release announced that: Your dream to study in the United States starts here — international students and professionals will have access to higher education opportunities in the U.S. through a free virtual educational fair.
Best of all it’s happening in Aruba on August 24th, more than 80 participating institutes will be available from 4pm to 7pm, at a virtual fair, organized by the U.S. Embassy in Curacao and a number of volunteer coaches from the University of Aruba.
Traditionally, local high-school graduating students aspiring for a higher education target the Netherlands as their academic destination, but the record shows few successes.
About 14% of the ones going overseas conclude their degree and obtain their diploma. Along the way they encounter much hardship in a different culture, speaking a different language, living in a different climate.
Some of them never return to their island, leaving Aruba with a serious brain drain. Of those returning, many are disappointed and burdened with debt.
The ones lucky enough to study in the U.S., obtain a university degree almost 100% of the time. That education always requires well-to-do parents.
The tide is now changing, and opportunities to study in the U.S. are opening. This is especially important for Athletes students who dedicated much time to sport and would have to put that activity on hold in the Netherlands.
They can now study on a scholarship in the U.S., continue to develop in their favorite sport, and excel in both aspect of their personal development.
Five of the US educational institutes participating in the virtual fair already signed an agreement for in-state tuition, for the Aruban students.
Jo-Anne V. Croes, Student-Athlete Adviser, EducationUSA, Aruba, reports that soon the effort will be moving towards a more common structure, and a local agency with its own budget and advisors, will replace the U.S. Embassy in the education endeavor, helping students through the bureaucratic process and setting them on the right path towards successful adult careers. And since they cannot stay in the U.S., chances are they will return to their native isle.
This is what the program circulated: EducationUSA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy, invites high school and college students, as well as professionals in all areas to participate in the EducationUSA Virtual Fair, the third version of this free educational event that features 80 U.S. Colleges and Universities.
At the fair, attendees will connect to the virtual environment from which they will be able to access different event spaces. At the Auditorium, students will find live and on-demand sessions on relevant topics. They will be also able to access the Exhibit Hall, where they will find the virtual stand of the participant institutions and will have the opportunity to chat with their representatives, as well as with EducationUSA advisers from all over the continent. The fair will also have interactive spaces, such as a Photobooth and a Leaderboard, which will allow students to get points for the different activities they perform in the Fair Platform.
The online event for all the Americas will take place on August 24th, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the fair, students will be able to receive accurate, comprehensive, and current information about the application process, requirements, and financial aid to study in the United States. To register, visit bit.ly/EDUSAFair
EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States.
