GESP holds its Annual Study Abroad Fair virtually!

The students had the opportunity to interact with representatives from universities across different countries such as the King’s College, Yale, Stanford, University of British Columbia, University of Bristol, and University of Auckland (among others) as they inquired about the opportunities for summer and semester abroad. They also received information on graduate studies, master’s and Ph.D programmes at these institutions.  Amongst the attending organizations was Campus France, British Council, and USIEF and for the first time DAAD from Germany. They provided Ashoka students with general guidance about graduate studies in their respective regions. GESP was also delighted to promote several partner universities including Yale University and Wellesley College! Ashoka students who have spent a summer or semester abroad at the partner institute were present to answer questions prospective Ashokan applicants may have about the study abroad experience. Given the constraints Covid-19 pandemic posed this year, the Study Abroad Fair was held virtually. GESP office used the Airmeet platform very successfully to bring everyone seamlessly to connect and interact with each other.   For some the virtual format was a blessing, Patricia Hall from the Stanford Summer Session said, “I thought it was great! I would not change anything… I was glad to have made it work to the best of my physical ability. AND it was a lot easier than travelling to India. I think this online format is effective even after the pandemic.”  

 The fair was open to all students at Ashoka University, undergraduates, master’s, and Young India Fellows.  But by reviewing the registrations it is clear that the majority of the students who attended the fair were undergraduates.  

Participating Universities and Organizations
24 higher education institutions including universities from across the world and government education organizations participated to provide direct information to students and guided them to best-suited options. The participating institutions included universities and government education organizations from Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.  

 Those who participated were generally pleased with the platform and the students they met. Here is some of the feedback GESP office received after the fair.  “An excellent initiative by Ashoka University to provide this platform for student interaction. Very user friendly and easy to maneuver,” Aprajita Kalra, Country Manager India, The University of Birmingham, UK. “The quality of students was excellent – genuine, prepared and interested students,” Collette Coughlan, International Student Recruitment Manager, University College of Cork, UK. “Loved meeting students! It was so refreshing to chat with such eager and bright young people!” Patricia Hall, Program Coordinator at Stanford Summer Session, Stanford University. The students who attended the fair also appreciated the geographical diversity of the universities present as well as the platform the fair provided for direct interaction with the representatives of these universities.   

The students had the opportunity to interact with representatives from universities across different countries such as the King’s College, Yale, Stanford, University of British Columbia, University of Bristol, and University of Auckland (among others) as they inquired about the opportunities for summer and semester abroad. They also received information on graduate studies, master’s and Ph.D programmes at these institutions.  Amongst the attending organizations was Campus France, British Council, and USIEF and for the first time DAAD from Germany. They provided Ashoka students with general guidance about graduate studies in their respective regions. GESP was also delighted to promote several partner universities including Yale University and Wellesley College! Ashoka students who have spent a summer or semester abroad at the partner institute were present to answer questions prospective Ashokan applicants may have about the study abroad experience. Given the constraints Covid-19 pandemic posed this year, the Study Abroad Fair was held virtually. GESP office used the Airmeet platform very successfully to bring everyone seamlessly to connect and interact with each other.   For some the virtual format was a blessing, Patricia Hall from the Stanford Summer Session said, “I thought it was great! I would not change anything… I was glad to have made it work to the best of my physical ability. AND it was a lot easier than travelling to India. I think this online format is effective even after the pandemic.”  

 The fair was open to all students at Ashoka University, undergraduates, master’s, and Young India Fellows.  But by reviewing the registrations it is clear that the majority of the students who attended the fair were undergraduates.  

Participating Universities and Organizations
24 higher education institutions including universities from across the world and government education organizations participated to provide direct information to students and guided them to best-suited options. The participating institutions included universities and government education organizations from Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.  

 Those who participated were generally pleased with the platform and the students they met. Here is some of the feedback GESP office received after the fair.  “An excellent initiative by Ashoka University to provide this platform for student interaction. Very user friendly and easy to maneuver,” Aprajita Kalra, Country Manager India, The University of Birmingham, UK. “The quality of students was excellent – genuine, prepared and interested students,” Collette Coughlan, International Student Recruitment Manager, University College of Cork, UK. “Loved meeting students! It was so refreshing to chat with such eager and bright young people!” Patricia Hall, Program Coordinator at Stanford Summer Session, Stanford University. The students who attended the fair also appreciated the geographical diversity of the universities present as well as the platform the fair provided for direct interaction with the representatives of these universities.