Join Begin Counsellors Partnership Workshops, a set of focused online events designed to support direct dialogue between international educational institutions and experienced high school counsellors from key student recruitment markets.
Each workshop features presentations by school counsellors introducing their schools, counselling approach, and perspectives on student decision-making. Sessions are followed by live Q&A discussions with participating universities and educational institutions.
Upcoming Workshops
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29 April 2026. Counsellors from European schools (Italy & Germany). Join via Zoom
- 13.00-13.15 (UTC+0) – Introduction, Begin Group
- 13.15-14.00 (UTC+0) – H-FARM International School, Italy
- 14.00-14.45 (UTC+0) – Europäische Schule RheinMain, Germany
- 14.45-15.30 (UTC+0) – American Overseas School of Rome, Italy
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7 May 2026. Counsellors from Sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania)
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19 May 2026. Counsellors from Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Costa Rica)
Each presentation will be followed by a live Q&A session.
Detailed presentation schedules and participating schools will be published soon.
The first workshops in this series have already brought together school counsellors from
international schools across Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia,
engaging over 200 representatives of educational institutions worldwide.
Discover more insights from the pilot edition in the case study (PDF).
What the workshop offers
- Direct interaction with practising high school counsellors
- Live presentations followed by interactive Q&A
- Ongoing discussion via moderated group chat
- Perspective across multiple recruitment regions within a single session
- Understanding of region-specific factors influencing counsellor recommendations
- Insight into student motivations and parental priorities
Suggested Discussion Topics & Questions
The following topics are intended to support discussion during live Q&A sessions and help institutions frame their questions to school counsellors.
- Student Academic Profile & School Strengths
- What is the general academic profile of students applying abroad (grades, IB/A-levels, predicted results)?
- Which academic subjects or study tracks are particularly strong?
- What types of universities do graduates most commonly attend?
- How does the school ensure consistency and reliability in grading and predicted grades?
- University Preparation & Counselling Process
- At what stage does university preparation typically begin?
- How do counsellors support students during the application process (institution selection, essays, recommendations, deadlines)?
- How are predicted grades determined and communicated to universities?
- Student Motivation & Engagement
- Which fields of study are currently most popular among students?
- How strong is student engagement in extracurricular activities, leadership, or volunteering?
- How important is academic, personal, and career “fit” when choosing a university?
- Study-Abroad Destinations & Financial Considerations
- Which countries are the most popular study destinations among students?
- Is there growing interest in new or less traditional destinations?
- How sensitive are students and families to tuition fees and the cost of living?
- How important are scholarships and financial aid in decision-making?
- Role of Parents in the Decision Process
- Who typically makes the final decision – the student or the parents?
- What are the most common concerns or expectations from parents regarding study abroad?
- School–University Engagement & Partnerships
- What does the school value most in cooperation with universities?
- Which engagement formats are most effective (presentations, webinars, campus visits, summer programmes)?
- How open are students to considering new or less familiar institutions?
- Does the school work directly with universities or also through third-party agencies?
What Participants Say
I found the workshop extremely interesting. For us, it was the first time approaching this kind of format, and it gave us a clearer understanding of how valuable it can be to engage directly with counsellors. They are key figures in the decision-making process, and building a connection with them can really lead to more meaningful and long-term collaborations. I also really appreciated the mix of counsellors from the four different countries and academic backgrounds – it made the discussion richer and more concrete. It was a very useful experience for us, and I will definitely join the next two workshops!
Accademia Italiana, Italy
Thank you very much for the excellent organization of the Begin Counsellors Partnership Workshop. I would like to say that I truly enjoyed the meeting. It was very well structured, informative, and a great opportunity to connect with the counsellors.
Technische Hochschule Deggendorf, Germany
