EducationUSA Philippines prepared 78 Filipino students to begin their studies at U.S. universities during its first-ever virtual pre-departure orientation (PDO) on Thursday, August 6.
At the virtual event, U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim welcomed students and thanked them for the contributions they will make to U.S. classrooms and campuses. “Each student we assist to realize their educational or professional development dreams through U.S. education represents another powerful, enduring, and positive link between the United States and the Philippines,” he said.
A real-time survey during the event revealed that nearly half of the PDO participants received financial aid offers from their respective schools totaling almost $500,000.
The U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section joined the event to answer questions related to student visas.
Participants also heard from EducationUSA alumni Michelle Limpe (Johns Hopkins University), Arienne Calingo (Harvard University), Atty. Ralph Calinisan (University of Pennsylvania), Christine Okubo (New York University), and Simon Lee (Duke University), who shared stories from their time at U.S. universities and provided advice to the outgoing students.
EducationUSA encourages all students accepted to U.S. universities who were unable to attend the event to reach out to EducationUSA advisers with any questions at manila@educationusa.org or cebu@educationusa.org.
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 U.S. study: researching schools, identifying financial aid opportunities, completing applications, obtaining a student visa, and preparing for departure. There are more than 4,700 accredited higher education institutions in the United States, and an EducationUSA adviser can help students narrow their options, define their priorities, and plan their college careers. EducationUSA does not offer scholarships but can assist students in identifying scholarship and financial assistance opportunities.
You can find more information about EducationUSA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/educationusa.philippines and on Twitter at @EducationUSA_PH.
