During the holiday and at the start of November, I was invited to participate in two opportunities for counsellors at international schools where universities presented their institutions. I also participated in a conference for counsellors in international schools in Africa that highlighted the unique challenges and opportunities faced by schools on the African continent.
During the holidays, I visited the Swiss Education Group (SEG) Universities in Switzerland. We had an opportunity to get first hand experience into the teaching methods and the different schools by visiting three of the five schools in Switzerland: SHMS, Cesar Ritz and HIM. Being able to see how approaches to education on the tertiary level change in these schools was a confirmation that the way we do things here at WIS flows smoothly into these institutions’ approaches was reassuring. SEG places a great emphasis on critical thinking, independent thinking as well as collaboration and teamwork. Students learn through doing as well as through independent research and real world opportunities of learning.
On 5 & 6 November, I participated in the BMI/Times Higher EducationAfrica International Schools Forum and Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. This was an opportunity to meet with counsellors from around 20 other international schools in Africa, discuss our similarities and how we approach our challenges on the continent, as well as participate in a workshop on latest findings in career guidance and counselling.
Apart from the workshop, a range of universities from across the world were in attendance, universities who are focused on schools in Africa and who have different opportunities on offer for students coming from international schools in Africa. These tertiary institutions are mindful of the challenges we face on the African continent with regards to financing education and the availability of opportunities for our students. Being able to meet the admissions teams of these universities and making direct connections with them, was a valuable opportunity to present WIS, who we are and what we do to these institutions.
I will be hosting a feedback evening for interested families - students and parents - in the last week of school (on the 3rd of December) if there is interest from parents to get information and some feedback on opportunities to enter universities in Ireland, the UK, US and Canada. All these institutions are further happy to offer zoom sessions to discuss studying in their respective countries, if there is interest for this. Please send an email to mreiff@wis.edu.na if you are interested in attending this feedback evening. |
Maggie Reiff
High School Principal and Career Guidance Counsellor
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