The 2023 EducationUSA University Fair at a city hotel on Friday witnessed the coming together of more than 1,000 students and around 250 parents interested about opportunities to pursue higher education in the United States.
US consul-general in Kolkata Melinda Pavek delivers the inaugural speech
The fair was hosted by EducationUSA at the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) and in coordination with the US Consulate, Kolkata. It allowed aspiring students and their parents to meet representatives of 18 accredited universities and colleges from across the United States. Along with the representatives of the universities, consul-general Melinda Pavek, director of American Centre Elizabeth Lee and consular officer Dane Rohrer were present.
(Left) Consular officer Dane Rohrer interacts with students about their visa applications
“The United States continues to be the most popular international study destination for Indian students. Over the years, EducationUSA at USIEF has been committed to supporting the informational needs of prospective students who aspire to study at US higher education institutions. We strongly encourage students and parents to seize this opportunity to seek authentic and unbiased information and take advantage of the wide variety of educational options available at US college campuses” said Adam Grotsky, executive director, USIEF.
The event kick-started with the lamp lighting ceremony followed by the welcoming speech by Pavek. “India and the USA have a strong relationship and education is one of the most important aspects of that. Not just in international relations, education is one of the most important topics of conversation in the family. As a consul-general, I would work to strengthen that relation,” said Pavek, adding that her experience of choosing the right university for herself. Following that speech, consular officer Dane Rohrer talked about one of the most important and challenging parts of studying in the US – getting a visa.
Students Poulami Saha, Anjali Shaw and Arunika Sengupta attend the event
Soon, the students, parents and teachers were asked to interact with universities, who had set up small kiosks. The students learned about various programmes and admission criteria for multiple US higher education institutions. Discussions with US universities, EducationUSA advisers and US Consulate representatives helped students and parents to make informed choices. “I am a student of psychology at Jogomaya Devi College and I have been thinking of doing my master’s degree from a foreign university. I have been attending fairs and this is one of the best because I can reach as many as 18 renowned institutions under one roof,” said Kasba resident Aruunika Sengupta.
(Left) Jay Ligon interacts with students
For Park Circus resident Fida Rahaman, it was more about learning the visa application process. “I went to Mr Rohrer and told him about the issues, I have been facing for my visa application. He explained it very nicely. I am preparing to study at George Washington University in 2025, and I have started making preparations,” she added.
Meanwhile, the institutions at the fair represented America’s diverse geographical and academic landscape and offered a range of academic programmes at every level. Mark Tonn, associate director at the George Washington University School of Business, said that most of the Indian students choose business, medical and engineering courses at their institution. “And we are here to tell the students the cultural and educational diversity we can offer to the students,” said Tonn.
American Center director Elizabeth Lee talks to students to learn about their dreams
At Louisiana Tech University, students from India mostly go for computer science and the director of international affairs Jay Ligon, was at the fair with the expectation of meeting a number of excited students to study in the US. “My job is to learn about their dream and help them to achieve it,” he said.