Should International Students Use a University’s In-Country Representative or an Agent?
While both roles involve assisting international students in pursuing higher education, the key difference lies in their affiliation and scope of services. The in-country student recruitment representative focuses on promoting a specific university or universities’ programs and facilitating admissions, while the education consultant or agent offers guidance across multiple countries and aspects of the application process.
The In-Country University Representative
An in-country student recruitment representative for a university typically works directly for the university (universities) they represent. They are tasked with promoting the university's programs, facilitating admissions processes, and assisting prospective students within a specific geographical region or country. Their primary goal is to attract qualified students to the university (universities) and guide them through the application process.
The unique advantages an in-country university representative brings to an international student is the intensive training they have received from the college or universities they represent. In fact, Canada has mandated that representatives need to be trained in all aspects of admissions, scholarships, university life, etc. to be held accountable to the country, the institution and ultimately the student. Did you know that the In-Country Representative for the University of Windsor receives monthly training on programs, services and application and admission support they provide to their representatives? They even bring updates on technical changes to their processes and platforms and on IRCC study permit. And this is not limited to Windsor, as all Canadian universities and colleges that have in-country representatives overseas require them to take training whether it is monthly or quarterly. They also have a direct resource person at the university they represent so they can contact the on-campus staff member for any additional information or assistance they require. This means that an international student can get answers to their questions faster then going through online student services web-forms.
If the in-country representative represents several universities and/or colleges, this person will help students explore different options, tailor their choices to match their interests and goals, and assist with the application process, and other logistics. They can also offer insights into cultural adjustments and provide ongoing support throughout the study abroad journey.
In-country representatives often work directly with international schools and career counsellors as well, providing information sessions to their senior students and working transparently with the school system, if this is part of the school policy. The relationship of international school, foreign university and school administration is a coveted liaison and helps to bring trust and integrity to the student/representative relationship. It is a collaborative effort to provide the very best to the international student who wants to study abroad.
Did you know that some in-country university representatives to do not charge international students for their services? This is another advantage to an international student who is looking for ways to have an economical education experience abroad. Helen Khan, who is the in-country representative for the University of Alberta and other Canadian universities and colleges doesn’t charge for her services. She can provide international students in Pakistan full support totally free of cost for her assistance. And she also offers a full offering of institutions from UNBC on Canada’s west coast to Memorial University and St Francis Xavier University on Canada’s east coast, and many institutions in between.
For the international student from Pakistan, Ms. Khan, because she is a Canadian and worked in Canada’s post-secondary education system for over 30 years, offers insights into cultural differences necessary to know for the cultural adjustment to Canadian life that every international student goes through.
Access to well-informed and encouraging representatives provides Pakistani students with the means to explore a multitude of opportunities, enabling them to chase their educational and professional dreams on an international platform.
The Education Consultant/Agent
On the other hand, education consultants often work independently or as part of agencies and represent multiple institutions and countries. They offer a broader spectrum and can provide guidance on destinations worldwide. Education agents may help students explore different options, tailor their choices to match their interests and goals, and assist with the application process, visa applications, and other procedures. They can also offer insights into cultural adjustments and provide ongoing support throughout the study abroad journey, but this may be limited if the agent has never visited the country where the university or college is located.
If the education consultant or agent is not officially representing a university or college, then their expertise may be limited. An international student may wish to ask the agent to provide documentation of representation if they feel this is an important aspect of their consulting services.
While some education agents offer their services free of charge to students, others may charge fees or require students to purchase additional services, such as application assistance or visa processing. These costs can add up and may not always be transparent upfront, leading to unexpected expenses for students.
The amount you pay to the agent can vary so please make sure to check out their prices. As an international student, you want to get the best service possible for an affordable amount.
For international students seeking guidance and support in navigating the complexities of studying abroad, both in-country representatives and education agents can offer valuable assistance. However, the better choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the student.
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