Outreach tools in advising: live and tele-communications

1. Outreach tools in advising: live and tele-communications Nataliya Rozanova, Moscow, Russia Magdalena Wącisz, Warsaw, Poland Natalia Aulchenko, Novosibirsk, Russia Tatyana Babkina, Yekaternburg, Russia 2010 Europe and Eurasia EducationUSA Workshop Prague, March 21-25, 2010 EducationUSA.state.gov

2. Web conferences at the Moscow EAC Rozanova Nataliya EAC Director/ Senior Advisor Moscow EducationUSA Advising Center, Russia EducationUSA.state.gov

3. Web conferences at the Moscow EAC • Hawaii Pacific University (HI) • Roger Williams University (RI). • Wittenberg University (OH) • Lake Tahoe Community College (CA) EducationUSA.state.gov

4. Web Conference with Wittenberg EducationUSA.state.gov

5. What Do We Need? • Internet • Computer • Web Camera • Microphone (wireless) • Speakers • Projector • Software (NetMeeting, MSN Messenger, Skype, etc) • Screen EducationUSA.state.gov

6. Challenges • Time Difference • Lack of Equipment • Poor /Slow Internet Connection • Advertising EducationUSA.state.gov

7. Where to Find Contacts • REAC • Conferences/meetings • Campus Visits (Pre or after NAFSA) • Web sites EducationUSA.state.gov

8. Virtual Education Fair:Mission Possible Magdalena Wącisz Cultural Affairs Specialist/Educational Advisor US Embassy Warsaw, Poland EducationUSA.state.gov

9. First steps: Decide on the venue • - Long-term partner • - Central location • Good internet connection • Equipment availability • Couple of rooms available • Possibility to place partitions • - Venue working hours till late • afternoon • - Open access to public EducationUSA.state.gov

10. First steps: Decide on the target audience - High school or university? - Not limited to one geographic area - Make sure you are in touch with teachers - It’s the quality not the quantity than counts! EducationUSA.state.gov

11. American universities • Invite both private and state schools • Include technical institutes • Include small and big colleges • Include institutions that often host • students from your country • And also those that students • haven’t heard about before EducationUSA.state.gov

12. What’s next? • You need a concise program with presentations on most important issues for your students • Include US embassy diplomats: Public Affairs Section officers, Vice consuls, etc • You need young people in panels • Invite representatives from testing centers • Make sure you offer some pizza break  • Always allow time for questions! EducationUSA.state.gov

13. Student’s Guide to Study in the US Workshop for High School Students organized by the US embassy in WarsawVenue: Public Library, ul. Koszykowa 26/28 Tuesday, November 24, 200914:00-14:10 Welcome/IntroductionsLisa Helling, Public Affairs Officer, US Embassy Warsaw14:10-14:20 EducationUSA: Your Guide to US Higher EducationChuck Ashley, Cultural Attaché, US Embassy Warsaw14:20-14:40 U.S. Undergraduate Education/Choosing the Best College for You Ola Augustyniak, Educational Advisor, Polish-American Fulbright Commission14:40- 15:40 Why study in the US? Moderator: Dr. Katarzyna Pisarska Director of the European Academy of Diplomacy(Fulbright student, Harvard University)Katherine Cioch (Fulbright Student, Loyola University, Chicago) Marta Rozmyslowicz (Fulbright student, University of Pennsylvania)Maciej Kowalski (Graduate of the University of Michigan)David McGuire (Cincinnati, Ohio)Q&A15:40 -16:00 pizza break and networking16:00-16:20 Financing your EducationMaria Brzostek, Cultural Specialist, US Consulate KrakowPreparing a Successful Application16:20 – 16:40Applicant’s calendar – Magda Wacisz, Cultural Specialist, US Embassy Warsaw 16:40 – 17:00 Prepare for SAT/TOEFL exam –Ms. Patricia Shappell , Mr. Dale KempCollege Advisors, The American School of Warsaw 17:00 – 17:20 Basics on US Student Visas – Candace Faber, Vice Consul, US embassy17:20-17:30 Wrap-up Chuck Ashley, Cultural Attaché, US Embassy Warsaw 17:30-18:30 Virtual student fair (moderated by Chuck Ashley and Magda Wacisz)Learning by doing: connect US College representatives with Polish students! (Skype connection with representatives from couple of International Offices at American Universities/colleges) EducationUSA.state.gov

14. Make sure you have: • Folders with program, university leaflets, EducationUSA materials • List of the participating universities and contacts • Basic info table • Lots of business cards! EducationUSA.state.gov

15. Lessons learned…. • Allow more time for Skype connection • Back-up contacts if connection doesn’t work • More working stations and smaller groups • Back up questions for Skype connections EducationUSA.state.gov

16. Novosibirsk EAC Activities Aulchenko Natalia Educational Advisor/American Councils Regional Office Director Novosibirsk, Russia EducationUSA.state.gov

17. TOEFL iBT preparation WorkshopMoscow-Novosibirsk EACs Skype conference EducationUSA.state.gov

18. EducationUSA.state.gov

19. Western Siberia Region • 6 oblasts and republics • 8 cities • Population - 12 million people • 150+ universities, academies and branches • Distances from Novosibirsk – 250-650 kms EducationUSA.state.gov

20. Western Siberia EducationUSA network • Participants – Universities’ International Relations Departments, Regional libraries, other friends of advising. • Graduate Admissions Workshops in Novosibirsk • International Education Days in all regional cities EducationUSA.state.gov

21. Graduate Admissions Workshop in Novosibirsk • 2 days, 11 cities in Western & Eastern Siberia 2009 2008 EducationUSA.state.gov

22. Graduate Admissions Workshop • Including: • Universities search training • TOEFL iBT registration training • USG programs alumni presentations on essay writing strategies EducationUSA.state.gov

23. International Education Days in Western Siberia Barnaul Novokuznetsk Kemerovo Krasnoyarsk Biysk EducationUSA.state.gov

24. Graduate Admissions Workshop, Far East extension, February 2010 Vladivostok EAC EducationUSA.state.gov

25. Promoting your center through outreach activities Tatiana Babkina EducationUSA Advising Center, Yekaterinburg, Russia EducationUSA.state.gov

26. VIP Contacts • Universities’ International Cooperation departments • Teachers/faculty • American Corners • Alumni • Fulbright students and scholars • English Language Fellows EducationUSA.state.gov

27. Partnering with universities • International Cooperation Departments *** • Meet them in person • Ask them to include you in their annual plan • Freshmen Days • EAC’s billboards, monthly plans • Recruitment for USG programs – exceptional chance to attract lots of students to your presentation and promote EducationUSA EducationUSA.state.gov

28. Partnering with teachers Teachers are: …important people in a student’s life …spokespersons for education …primary points of contact EducationUSA.state.gov

29. Where can we come in? • American studies lessons in high schools and universities (system of Education, admission, financial aid, students’ life) • Practical training for Marketing students • Press-conference training for journalism students EducationUSA.state.gov

30. Partnering with American Corners Joint outreach projects: • “Welcome to American Center” presentations • Library Lovers’ Month (Feb) • Back-to-school Month (Aug-Sept) EducationUSA.state.gov

31. Other contacts • Work & Travel program providers (PDOs for hundreds of students, great feedback) • Youth organizations and clubs EducationUSA.state.gov

32. Other contacts • Orphanage for gifted children (music) • Sports schools/clubs (good candidates for sports scholarships) • English language courses • American organization (IREX, Open World, American Councils) • Alumni EducationUSA.state.gov

33. Tips and Advice • Put your partners’ needs first • Choose timing carefully • Select appropriate format • Give freebies! • Collect feedback EducationUSA.state.gov

34. Thank you for your attention! • Good luck with your virtual • and personal connections! • It’s worth every minute of your work! • QUESTIONS? EducationUSA.state.gov