“I Want to Study in the USA!” - Polish Students Learn about College Life in the United States

17 December 2009

The panel discussion with recent graduates, including American Fulbright Scholars, was one of the event’s highlights.

On November 24, 2009, more than 120 high school students from Warsaw, Ełk, Lublin, Częstochowa, and other Polish cities gathered at the Koszykowa Library in Warsaw to learn about college life in the United States and find out how to apply to U.S. colleges, choose the right school, and research scholarship and financial aid opportunities.  The U.S. Embassy-sponsored program featured presentations on the application process including deadlines, financial resources, student visas, and exams (SAT, GMAT, TOEFL).  The speakers were American diplomats, Fulbright students, educational advisers and Student Counselors from the American School of Warsaw.  A lively panel discussion with young American Fulbright scholars and one Polish student, who recently returned to Poland after graduation, was one of the event’s highlights.  The graduates shared their experiences and gave advice on how to best prepare for the college experience in the United States. They talked about the pros and cons of attending a large university with thousands of students and choosing a smaller school, where practically all students and professors know each other.  Polish students wanted to know if it’s better to study in a big city like New York or in a suburban school.  They were eager to learn the differences between Polish and U.S. professors’ approach to teaching, the courses of study, choosing and changing majors, student life, and working on campus.

After a pizza break, the students – divided into six smaller groups – communicated via the Internet with representatives from admissions offices at twelve U.S. colleges and universities.  They had a chance to ask very direct and specific questions regarding funding possibilities, standardized tests, campus life, and more.  The students were happy to learn about all the opportunities available to international students at U.S. schools.  The admissions counselors encouraged further questions and welcomed future email exchange with those students who seriously considered applying to the college or university in the U.S.  The seminar was tailored primarily to prospective students from high schools with the IB (International Baccalaureate) program and other schools with extensive English language programs, so all students were fluent in English.

To learn more about education opportunities in the United States or to schedule an individual advising session with the U.S. Embassy Educational Advisor, please follow the link to our new Educational Advising Center.