High school counselors from across Europe and Eurasia joined universities from around the globe for the 6th annual SRT E-Conference for International Educators.
With representatives from over 50 countries, 266 participants came together online for two days of insightful discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking to help support the future development of international education.
Our E-Conference theme, Beyond the Classroom: the Future of Global Education Collaborations, emphasized the importance of nurturing a global community while showcasing innovative strategies, partnerships, and opportunities to support the future of international education. The two-day event featured:
- Two global panel discussions
- 21 info sessions
- Over 700 one-on-one meetings between universities and international high school counselors
Participants praised the event’s organization and value in fostering connections.
Georgina Hutchings from St Dominic’s International School in Portugal remarked, “Overall, the e-conference was extremely well-organized and informative. It was a great opportunity to network, develop my own practices, and improve in my role as a counselor.”
Phillip Wenturine Director of University Counseling at Brewster Madrid and SRT E-Conference speaker, appreciated the opportunity to learn about current trends, stating, “I really enjoyed being able to reconnect with colleagues, meet new universities, and collaborate and learn more about current trends in our industry to best support my students and the communities I serve.”
Thought-provoking global panels strengthened university-counselor collaboration.
During the first global panel discussion, Building Resilience and Independence: Supporting Students Through the Transition to University, our panelists, Mejianer Alcaraz Bekaert, BEPS International School Brussels, Daniella Schmitt, European School RheinMain, Eleni Armaou, Metropolitan School of Frankfurt, Tamara Lipnjak, RIT Croatia, and Louise Staunton, Trinity College Dublin, highlighted practical strategies to help students navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges and address barriers faced by young people transitioning from high school to university. Real-life case studies, such as Trinity College Dublin’s Pathway to Belonging program and RIT Croatia’s peer mentorship initiatives, showcased innovative approaches to supporting student well-being and fostering a sense of belonging.
The second expert panel included Brewster Madrid’s Phillip Wenturine,
Anna Krzemińska-Kaczyńska from Open Future International High School and WorldLINK Foundation, Marina Tirado Tewes from UFV, Jo Fretwell from International Schools Partnership, and Eleni Armaou from the Metropolitan School of Frankfurt.
The group discussed best practices themed around, Building Effective Partnerships: Collaboration Between Schools and Universities, and shared ways to strengthen connections between schools and universities to create supportive networks for students transitioning from high school to university. Panelists emphasized the importance of offering clear communication channels and thinking innovatively about traditional university visits to schools. Examples included organizing collaborative workshops between university academics and high school teachers and having a dedicated space online to share how universities can effectively interact with schools. The discussion also addressed the role of families in decision-making, emphasizing the need to balance student agency with parental involvement.
Info sessions offered crucial updates and highlighted international education trends
The e-conference info sessions offered valuable insights into emerging student trends, regional perspectives, and practical student support strategies. Participants explored opportunities in fields such as the creative, performing, and visual arts in the UK with The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, short-term study abroad options with Regent’s University London, careers in aviation with Lazarski University and ‘Engineering a Little Different’ focusing on choosing forward-thinking programs aligned with the demands of the future job market with Signe Lund from the University of Southern Denmark. EducationUSA provided essential updates on U.S. higher education, while Study in Czechia showcased the appeal of Czech universities, including affordability and high-quality programs.
Dimitrios Lymperopoulos from Doukas School in Athens appreciated the diversity of topics and the opportunity to interact with knowledgeable presenters, sharing how the online setting offered an “empowering atmosphere to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about education.”
Regional-focused sessions provided unique insights into the educational landscapes of students in cities like Ljubljana, Krakow, Baku, and Prague, offering universities a better understanding of student trends, cultural influences, and challenges in those areas.
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), introduced counselors to the IB Recognition Statements Database, a tool to help counselors navigate complex entry requirements across different countries.
Other sessions addressed critical topics, such as behavioral disorders in international schools, the impact of Generative AI on higher education, and how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and student support.
From cultural diversity in multi-cultural curriculums to the advantages of short-term study abroad and summer programs, the info sessions provided universities and counselors with actionable takeaways to equip and better inform students.
The SRT E-Conference continues to underscore the importance of partnerships in shaping the future of education. As Alex Becker from the International School of Belgrade noted:
“The conference was an excellent way to connect professionals from both sides of the desk. I learned from schools I wouldn’t normally have a chance to interact with, which was very exciting.”
Join us online in 2025
Are you a high school counselor based in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, the USA, or Canada? Don’t miss our region-specific e-conferences this May 2025. Register your interest today:
