The Park was awash with white, red and blue university tote bags as prospective students gathered information and roamed the USIEF EducationUSA University Fair 2018 on September 8. 

Twenty seven accredited American universities were represented at the event, which travels nine cities across the country this autumn. Following the success of past education fairs, this is the sixth time the EducationUSA advisors have visited Calcutta and, with an impressive turnout, the day certainly demonstrated young Calcuttans’ eagerness to learn.  

Informative talks advised prospective students at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels on everything from the admission process and visa application to scholarships, as well as helping with any general questions about studying in America. 

“East India has some of the brightest and most dedicated students in the country. Embracing the opportunity to study in the US, joining the 186,000 Indian student already studying there, continues the mutual relationship and partnership between India and the US,” said US consul-general Patti Hoffman. For students, the opportunity to speak to the university representatives face-to-face made the university admissions process more personal and less daunting, an aspect that makes the annual fair so popular. 

The event definitely proved informative for those lost in the decision of where and what to study, as helpful panel discussions provided up-to-date information and tips. US university alumni also dropped in at the fair, like  University of Wooster, Ohio graduate, Amit Tibrewal, who highly recommended studying in the States to anyone considering it. “The US education system creates well-rounded students through the extracurricular activities it promotes as well as the courses on offer,” he said. 

Text: Yasmin Turner
Pictures: Koushik Saha