BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
MANILA (August 13)—Through a virtual pre-departure orientation (PDO), EducationUSA prepared 78 Filipino students to begin their studies in United States (US) universities.
During the orientation on August 6, US Ambassador Sung Yong Kim welcomed the students and thanked them for the contributions they will make to US classrooms and campuses.
Kim said each student they assist to realize their educational or professional development dreams through US education represents another powerful, enduring and positive link between the US and the Philippines.
EducationUSA said that nearly half of the PDO participants received financial aid offers from their respective schools totaling almost $500,000.
Joining the event was US Embassy’s Consular Section to answer questions related to student visas. Some participants were EducationUSA alumni who shared stories from their time at US universities and provided advice to the outgoing students.
They were Michelle Limpe (Johns Hopkins University), Arienne Calingo (Harvard University), lawyer Ralph Calinisan (University of Pennsylvania), Christine Okubo (New York University) and Simon Lee (Duke University).
EducationUSA provides free advising services to prospective international students in more than 170 countries and offers students resources and tools to help navigate the five steps to US study.
These steps are researching schools, identifying financial aid opportunities, completing applications, obtaining a student visa, and preparing for departure, EducationUSA said.
It said there are more than 4,700 accredited higher education institutions in the US and that through its provision of advisers, students narrow their options, define their priorities and plan their college careers.
EducationUSA said it does not offer scholarships but can assist students in identifying scholarship and financial assistance opportunities.
All students accepted to US universities who were unable to attend the event were advised to reach out to EducationUSA advisers with any questions at manila@educationusa.org or cebu@educationusa.org.
More information about EducationUSA can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/educationusa.philippines and on Twitter at @EducationUSA_PH.