UCC visit for US College Admission Counsellors
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UCC visit for US College Admission Counsellors
28.03.2011
College Admission Counsellors from five US States and nine countries including Ecuador, Jordan and China visited UCC recently. The purpose of the counsellors’ visit was to familiarise themselves with Irish universities that have an excellent reputation in teaching, research and student support.

Staff throughout the University and from all four Colleges met with the international counsellors to describe UCC’s wide range of academic programmes and excellent student support services. Karel DeCock from the Yew Chung International School in Shanghai loved UCC’s lively, green campus and noted: “Although it has more than 19,000 students, UCC appears to be a very close-knit community.” The visitors also spent time with UCC students from the USA, Bermuda and Ireland to hear first-hand accounts of university life in a vibrant and safe Irish city. “Our exchange with staff and students cemented the idea that our international kids would fit in well here” said Ray Marx from Colegio Americano in Quito, Ecuador, a view supported by Julia Taylor of Falmouth Academy in Massachusetts (MA) who said: “Meeting the staff and professors at UCC convinced me that our students from America would have a compelling, high-quality experience, academically and socially. In fact, I have already suggested UCC’s Music Programme to one of my students!”

Counsellors were also keen to learn about UCC’s support services for international students. Sarah Hoenig from the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in MA was particularly impressed by what she described as “the compassion of the International Education Office”. She added: “I am confident that my students would be in good hands were they to attend UCC.”

Highlights of the programme included counsellors observing student nurses practise their professional skills in the high-tech simulation wards of UCC’s School of Nursing.  Computer Science researchers in UCC’s Virtual Reality Laboratory demonstrated the latest technology being adapted for use by organisations ranging from toy manufacturers to disaster relief agencies. Joy LeBlanc of Phillips Academy, MA, was impressed: “UCC professors would inspire young students within the field of their choice. The facilities and the field experience of programmes are designed to engage students. Student housing is central to the University yet nicely integrated into city life. UCC is a real gem and a ‘Best Buy’ for American students electing to take their undergraduate degree overseas.” For the grand finale of their visit, counsellors were treated to a magical performance in the School of Music and Theatre by Irish and American students, sharing musical traditions and influences from around the world.

Picture:  L to R Standing:  Dan Pieri, Zurich International School; David Spencer, American International School of Budapest; Ray Marx, Colegio Americano, Ecuador; Andrew Whyte, Institut le Rosey, Switzerland; Val Markhasin, International School of Geneva; Karel DeCock, Yew Chung International School of Shanghai; Karen Ekman Baur, Independent Counsellor, Germany; Jo Loiterton, American School of Warsaw; Hala Yaish-Salah, Kings Academy, Jordan; Lenka Zaharova, Open Gates School, Czech Republic. Kneeling: Allison Lewis, St. Stephen’s School, Rome; David Allen, Univisits (tour organiser).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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