Following our successful Universities Week in September, when over 80 institutions from around the world visited St Catherine’s, this term has been about deepening those connections. Alongside a series of focused university visits on campus, our Futures Counsellors have been travelling abroad to meet with admissions teams and attend international university fairs, bringing back first-hand insights and new opportunities to share with our students. Together, these experiences give our students a taste for global study destinations and a clearer understanding of what universities are looking for, helping them make informed choices about their futures.

Global Universities on Campus

The University of Twente and Stevens Institute of Technology opened the week with engaging sessions on studying in the Netherlands and New Jersey, respectively, with tips about academic requirements, accommodation as well as lifestyle - each highlighting their strong academic reputations. With its focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and research-led learning, the Netherlands offers students an inclusive, high-quality educational experience in a safe and internationally minded environment, while Stevens Institute of Technology brings students to the footsteps of the crossroads of the world just a quick train ride from New York City.

Soon after, students and parents met representatives from IE University, one of Europe’s leading international institutions with campuses in Madrid, Segovia, and New York. Known for its strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and global engagement, IE offers a dynamic learning experience for students from over 130 nationalities and delivers all programmes entirely in English. During the visit, Professor Antonio Cantalapiedra Asensio from IE Business School captivated the audience with a thought-provoking presentation on “Digital Twins: How Data and Machine Learning Will Change Cities.”

We concluded the week with one of our students’ perennial favourites, University College London (UCL) in Assembly and form time. As one of our students’ perennial favourites, UCL always draws strong interest — and for good reason. The session highlighted UCL’s world-class academic reputation, interdisciplinary approach, and vibrant London location, all of which make it a top choice for many of our graduates. Students gained valuable insights into course structures, the application process, and what life is like at this leading global university.

These university visits are part of our ongoing commitment to providing students and families with direct access to international experts, admissions officers, and real-world perspectives, helping each student make informed decisions about their next steps beyond St. Catherine’s.

Futures Team Building Connections Abroad

Beyond campus, our Futures Team continues to strengthen global networks to ensure our students receive the most current and relevant guidance on higher education options worldwide.

Recently, Ms. Demetriades attended a presentation hosted by Boston University, titled “Demystifying the Selective U.S. College Admissions Process.” Led by Kelly Walter, BU’s Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions, the session offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how selective U.S. universities evaluate applications. BU will return in the spring to run an interactive workshop at St. Catherine’s, where students and parents can experience what it is like to assess real applications. This is a unique, hands-on opportunity for those aiming high in the U.S. admissions process.

Earlier this month, Futures Team counsellor Ms. Efthimerou also visited EHL University in Switzerland, one of the world’s top institutions for hospitality and management. EHL’s mottos; “Practice makes the difference” and “Empowering growth by nurturing excellence in human experiences” echo our own vision for excellence and purpose, reinforcing the shared belief that education is about developing both skill and character.

Another highlight of the Futures Team’s outreach this term was Dr. Miniotis’ attendance at the InArts University Fair in Istanbul, where she connected with leading international institutions in creative and performing arts. These included SCAD, Columbia College Chicago, Full Sail University, and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, among others. The insights gained will directly support our students pursuing pathways in art, design, and media, ensuring they receive tailored, up-to-date guidance for creative careers around the world.

In turn, our IB and IGCSE Arts students recently hosted representatives from the InArts Fair, gaining valuable insights into a variety of Arts and Design & Technology courses offered in Chicago and Italy. The session deepened students’ understanding of international study options and provided practical information about pathways and programs in the arts.

Next week, we look forward to continuing our conversations with:

• NYU Abu Dhabi - Guiding students through the CommonApp and discussing the opportunity to earn a degree from NYU studying internationally
• Brown University - Highligthing the university itself, as well as the liberal arts, holistic admission, application timelines in the US, financial aid, and visa processes/support.

Inspiring Futures, Expanding Opportunities

Through both on-campus university visits and international outreach by our Futures Team, St. Catherine’s continues to open doors to a world of opportunity. These initiatives ensure that every student, whether aspiring to study business in Madrid, engineering in the Netherlands, hospitality in Switzerland, or the arts in London or Chicago, has access to the insights, inspiration, and connections needed to pursue their ambitions with full confidence.

And the journey continues - with more universities scheduled to visit St. Catherine’s in the coming weeks, our students can look forward to exploring their futures and engaging directly with institutions from around the world.