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Education fairs -10 tips for success
5. DON’T OVERLOAD UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES
The university representatives will be pleased to meet you, after all that’s why they came to the fair themselves, but they can’t devote the whole event to you. This is where your preparation is key. Make sure you prioritise your questions so the ones you really want answered are the ones you ask first. Then, if you have time to ask a few more, that’s a bonus. Don’t spend the whole time talking about yourself. Only offer information about your background when asked. If you have certificates with you, keep them in your bag until they’re needed, and take notes if it helps. You’re there to find out about the university so make sure you use your time wisely. Ask them for as much relevant information as possible and you may also be able to keep in touch with them or one of their colleagues if you have further questions after the fair.
6. DON’T JUST FOCUS ON THE UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES
An increasing number of universities also bring alumni to fairs. These individuals have lived the experience and more importantly they’ve survived it, so they are in a good position to provide valuable insight into all the pros and cons of the university experience. Ask them what they studied, how they found the school environment, what extra curricular activities they were involved in, and also ask them about the value of the qualification they did. You don’t just have to ask them about the particular university they attended. They’ll be more than happy to talk to you about postgrad education in general and how it’s helped them in their professional development and career opportunities. They may also know of some good sources of additional information. Make the most of their knowledge.
7. FUNDING
If financial aid is a primary concern, make sure your research has established which institutions offer financial aid and which don’t. Fees vary hugely by subject, institution and country. Also consider the cost of living related to the institution you’re interested in. Can you take out loans or offset some of the costs by working and studying? Each country has rules concerning students’ ability to work, so you might want to find out whether the course you’re interested in is in a country that allows you to raise some of the costs for your period of study through part-time employment.
8. USE THE INFORMATION SESSIONS
Fair organisers offer expert seminars focusing on the mechanics of studying abroad.
There are usually a number of activities at education fairs organised around visiting the attending universities. Fair organisers offer expert seminars focusing on the mechanics of studying abroad, such as scholarships and financing your education, application tips, visas and career prospects. These are great opportunities for extra information on some of the more general aspects of studying abroad and have some of your concerns addressed by specialists in the field. In some cases, sample lectures are showcased to give you a flavour of what studying abroad is really like.
9. EVALUATE
Trust your instincts as much as your research. Make sure that you assess the people you meet – are they interested in you and your questions? Can they answer those questions easily and authoritatively? Do they seem professional? Meeting people face to face like this is as much about you making a judgement as it is about them providing you with relevant and comprehensive information.
10. FINALLY
Make sure you relax and enjoy yourself. Choosing to pursue graduate study can be a big decision but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. Take your time to think it over, attend a range of education fairs and enjoy meeting other people who are in the same situation as you.
