On July 7^th, the University of Colorado Denver gave a warm welcome to a delegation of international high school counselors during their visit to campus. Members of the delegation represented educational institutions in diverse countries, including Brazil, China, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

The counselors’ tour of Colorado was organized by StudyColorado in partnership with Global Leaders Collective (GLC); the visit to CU Denver was coordinated by the Office of International Affairs. StudyColorado is an initiative of the State of Colorado, its institutions of higher education, and the Colorado business community; its primary purpose is to promote Colorado as a higher education destination. Global Leaders Collective (GLC), focuses on international education strategies, higher education career services, global recruitment tours, and information that helps educators succeed in their international enrollment strategies.

VITAL ROLE OF COUNSELORS

Counselors play a vital role in international high schools throughout the world. They help globally mobile students build college lists, identify international scholarship opportunities, and navigate through the complexities of meeting international admission requirements.

In addition, counselors assist students in an important undertaking: finding a university that’s the “right fit" for their educational, personal, and future career goals. 

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY

“More international students are becoming excited about studying in mid-sized universities in the U.S. such as CU Denver,” said Megan Mankerian-Stem, Founder and Executive Director of Global Leaders Collective (GLC).

Mankerian-Stem explained that international students and their parents are looking for “right-sized” universities based on a number of factors. They seek a rigorous academic curriculum, a wide range of degree program choices, access to faculty and mentorships, and opportunities for internships and employment.

This aligns with key offerings of the University of Colorado Denver:

• R1 Research University; ranked in the top 5% among the approximately 4,500 universities and colleges in the United States
• School accreditations: Higher Learning Commission Accreditation; AACSB - Business School; ABET - College of Engineering, Design & Computing; 40 other specialized accreditations
• 150+ Programs (50+ STEM-OPT eligible); in addition, CU Anschutz offers 40 programs
• Located in the heart of Denver’s downtown business district; access to Fortune 500 companies; thriving economy with both strong job and wage growth
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) program: eligible graduating students gain professional experience in the U.S. on an F-1 visa status for up to 12 months. For STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) OPT up to 36 months
• Access to mentorship programs, including CU Denver Mentorship Collective, CAP Mentorship Program, Peer Advocate Leaders (PALS) and more

Mankerian-Stem also commented on Denver International Airport (DIA) as being a hub for convenient travel to the east and west coasts of the U.S. and to and from major international cities. DIA Denver International Airport (DEN) provides direct flights to more than 30 international destinations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

PREPARING FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS

Following the campus tour, the counselors enjoyed a lively and informative presentation provided by Storm Gloor, Associate Professor/Program Director, CU Denver College of Arts and Media. Gloor spoke about major impacts and trends in the $31.7 billion music industry, and how the university prepares students for career success. He addressed the growing use of AI with its pro and cons, music publishing, legal issues, the digital streaming ecosystem, and disruptive developments in this quickly evolving industry.

“To meet the demands of the worldwide music industry, we offer a global business course that prepares students for success,” explained Gloor. The program provides routes to internships, help with resume development, and a pragmatic approach to building students’ careers along with their creative talents.

COMING TO CU DENVER

Qianjiao (Jane) Lei, a counselor at Xi’an Hannova International School in Xi’an, China, commented, “Populations in China are relocating from rural areas to cities. As an urban campus, CU Denver is appealing to students; more and more students are familiar with city life.” 

Add to that Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine per year, its beautiful Rocky Mountains, Denver’s reputation as a friendly, livable city, and CU Denver’s academic excellence and prime location, and there is much to recommend to international students who are considering an education abroad.

To learn more:

Office of International Affairs

International Admissions

International Student and Scholar Services

StudyColorado