20 universities attend fair

The third annual International University Fair last Thursday at Cedar International School drew representatives from nearly 20 schools in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. 

Amid the after-school rush, students buzzed excitedly between tables of recruiters set up throughout the open-air campus. 

Universities in attendance included the Pratt Institute in New York, Les Roches Marbella International School of Hotel Management in Spain, and University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto. 

The fair kicked off with Cedar students performing a steel drum show for the visiting representatives in a tented building between the garden and the soccer field. 

Besides Cedar, the event drew students from the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, Bregado Flax Educational Centre and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. 

“The main objective is that we want to have an access point,” said Roshan Gujar-Rosan, university advisor at Cedar and the lead organiser for the event. “This is for all students in the territory, not just Cedar students.” 

First-time participant Furman University, a private liberal arts university in Greenville, South Carolina, was a popular stop for attendees. 

Kimberly Valenti, the school’s director of international admissions, stood behind a desk fielding questions and securing her pamphlets from the breeze. 

Ms. Valenti, who recruits students from around the world, said she was steered towards the Virgin Islands after learning of a noticeable interest from the region. 

“This year I chose the Caribbean because some of my colleagues at other universities in South Carolina have found that there’s a lot of interest in the Carolinas from this region,” Ms. Valenti said. “I thought I’m going to try and see if Furman can appeal to some students, find some good-fit students.” 

She added that attendees mainly asked her about programmes for architecture, veterinary sciences, business and music. 

The event was a success for Jehu Adams, a grade-nine student at Cedar interested in pursuing serious study in music. 

“I really enjoyed talking to the various representatives from the universities,” Mr. Adams said. “They’re really kind and compassionate, and they provide very good insight and information on the university.” 

Mr. Adams, who said he plays eight instruments, found multiple universities that provide musical courses of interest to him. 

Natalia Olton, a 10th-grader at Cedar, was impressed by the possibilities available by studying abroad. 

“They’re providing a lot of useful information,” she said. “They’re telling us a lot about the school even if we aren’t interested in doing what they [are doing]. I would love to work and explore overseas instead of just limiting myself to one place.” 

Other students have already narrowed down their options.

“This is a good opportunity to see more colleges,” said John O’Neil, who is preparing to graduate this year from BFEC. “I haven’t really thought about going anywhere else than the States. I’m stuck between a few careers. I haven’t made my decision yet.”

Cedar International School students Jehu Adams and Natalia Olton speak to a representative from the Pratt Institute during the university fair. (Photo: JOAQUIN CONTRERAS)