2024 International ACAC Conference Sessions

Government approvals, scholarships lists, and where to actually go - tend to be the key questions around travelling in the MENA region. Over the years, many have considered adding MENA to their recruitment cycle, but didn't know where to start or simply didn't go about it in the best way to see results. Whether you are looking for local students or all the expats present in the region- we are here to help. From what you actually need for ADEK to how to approach government scholarships (even for small Universities who don't always have the support of their countries), we want to pass along a guide to recruiters that allows them to make this a tailor made trip that suits their needs. Your community is here to help you stretch the budget and help you achieve better results in the region.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Post-Secondary (College & University)

Middle East & North Africa

Representation (i.e. diversity, inclusion, region-specific)

The university admissions process and transition to university life can be an exciting and hopeful time for students, but it can also come with many stressors that can impact student well-being, success, and even retention at university. What are ways that schools can provide transitional support for students in tandem with supporting them through the university application process? What kinds of support and skills do students need before leaving for university to set themselves up for success? What can universities do to diversify the information available to prospective students, beyond academic programme information to also include information on the transition and support they will be able to receive once at university? In this session we will share data from schools, universities, parents, and students on the gaps they see in student support through this transitional process, the importance of student well-being and belonging on success, and the importance each audience places on different skills needed for a successful university transition. Join us for a discussion of effective practices and new ideas that both schools and universities can implement to improve student well-being and success during the admissions and transition process.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)

All

Wellness

Local counselor networks are a great resource for our colleagues on both sides of the desk. They increase potential resources for students and families, facilitate communication with universities, and provide a support system for counselors.
Interested in starting a local counselor network? Our panelists have all built and nurtured successful and long-standing networks in different world regions. In this session we will discuss:
Types of activities
Potential barriers
Successful models
Bring your questions and suggestions for a lively conversation.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Connecting with Colleagues [#WelcomeHome]

Canada has been a valued member of the international education community for decades, but how well do we know this vast and diverse country or its education system? Given Canada's success in attracting international students, surpassing targets set by governments, what are the conditions on the ground? What are the evolving policies about home schooling, admission of students from different provinces, systems or countries, refugees, employment, immigration, athletics? Join us for an interactive, fun, and somewhat competitive session that will test your knowledge, challenge your assumptions, and deepen your knowledge about our host country and its education system. All experience levels (and Canadians!) are invited to attend. Prizes will be awarded.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)

Canada & U.S.

Regional Updates

Hear from a panel of diverse universities and colleges to better understand how different institutions view international students in various application rounds. We will discuss early applications, how these vary from institution to institution, and how various institutions spend their limited financial aid budgets. This panel will allow for the audience to ask their questions, debunk myths about early application rounds, we will present data from various surveys, and hold plenty of time for open discussion.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Advocacy

Calling all introverts, extroverts, and in-between! Join us for an introvert approved interactive discussion that transcends personality types, promoting inclusivity and effective communication in the diverse landscape of higher education. Drawing from personal experiences, the session will provide valuable insights on connecting with colleagues and students, addressing the balance between being charged or drained from socialization, and offering practical tips for introverts to establish meaningful connections. Discover how to build a dynamic squad where introverts, ambiverts, extroverts, and more can join forces for collaboration!

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Post-Secondary (College & University)

All

Connecting with Colleagues [#WelcomeHome]

Do you have students who are keen to pursue medical studies upon completing high school? Join our panel of experienced practitioners from high school, university admissions and a specialist medical school portal on a whistle-stop tour of the globe as we navigate undergraduate medicine programmes in Ireland, the UK, Mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand. We will share insights on application processes, admissions test requirements, timelines and strategies to maximise chances of admission.

Beginner
Intermediate

Secondary (High School) & Individual

All

Strategy

Regional update and strategy

This session will focus on empowering counselors and admission officers to more effectively advocate for themselves in the workplace. Through real-life case studies, attendees will learn practical strategies to successfully assert their needs, set boundaries, and petition for professional development opportunities.
In this session, participants will:
Better understand the importance of self-advocacy for counselors' well-being and effectiveness.
Explore common barriers to self-advocacy and learn strategies to overcome them.
Hear inspiring case studies from colleagues who have successfully advocated for additional support in their offices.
Learn practical tips for effective communication, negotiation, and boundary-setting.
Join us to empower counselors and admissions officers to prioritize self-care and proactively advocate for the support they need to thrive in their roles!

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)

All

Advancement (i.e. professional or career)

To bring together those who are single person offices (admission reps, counsellors, IEC) in order to share joys and struggles of the role, to learn from one another (best practices in various areas), and to figure out how to best work with offices that have teams and to utilise our networks and communities in our respected cities and regions. Finally to leave with a sense of purpose and commitment to continue to do the great work we are all doing solo.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Connecting with Colleagues [#WelcomeHome]

Professionally and personally, it's critical to ask the right questions and to listen powerfully.
In this session we will share experiences and tools we have come to find useful to move your interactions from the transactional to the relational, and from the superficial to the meaningful. Take away tips to help a student find out what they truly want to study and understand how you can truly collaborate with your colleagues to create incredible outcomes. We hope you will find this useful at conferences, at work and in life.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Connecting with Colleagues [#WelcomeHome]

This conference session is tailored for international students facing the unique challenges of applying to U.S. public university admissions, where strict policies on international enrollment and limited budgets for financing education create hurdles. We aim to empower and guide counselors and advocates in navigating the intricate landscape of U.S. public university admissions with a focus on advocacy and achieving student equity. Join us in this interactive and informative session as we address the unique challenges international students face in gaining admission to U.S. public universities. Together, we will advocate for policies that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that every international student can access quality education in the United States.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

Advocacy

You may already know that EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State Global Network promoting U.S. higher education with over 400 advising centers in 180 countries, but do you know if your institution is utilizing the network to its fullest potential? This session will feature 2 EducationUSA Regional Managers (REACs), a Senior EducationUSA Adviser, and 2 institutions that have extensively utilized the EducationUSA’s services to share tips, tricks, and best practices on how to best partner with EducationUSA and how the network can work for you.

Beginner
Intermediate

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)

All

Strategy

More voters than ever in history will head to the polls this year, representing about half of the population of the planet — the results of which, for many, will prove consequential for years to come. This session considers the political dynamics which are impacting on international students in some of the key destination markets.

How as a community can we guide our students and their families to distinguish between the political rhetoric and the reality? Can we predict where the international student game of Whack-a-mole will strike next?

Attend this session to gain a deeper understanding behind the drivers of policy change and how we can support our students better.

Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

All

(Looking Toward) the Future