Guidance Counsellors to Tour Nova Scotia

Nineteen high school guidance counsellors, mostly from the New England states, will arrive in Nova Scotia next week to tour many of the province's universities and colleges.

The tour, the first of two scheduled this summer, will show the counsellors what Nova Scotia has to offer in post-secondary education.

The tour is part of the Department of Education and Culture's International Trade and Marketing Plan, which has identified New England as one of four primary target markets for recruiting students to the province's universities.

The focus is paying off. Last year, the number of international students enrolled in Nova Scotia universities increased to 1,870 from about 1,670 the previous year, a rise of about 12 per cent.

In 1998, the first year the tour was offered, 28 counsellors from New England, New York and Bermuda participated. The overwhelming success made it necessary to schedule two tours this summer, with a total of 47 counsellors expected.

Guidance counsellors play a key role in helping many students make their post-secondary choices. After examining what the province has to offer, the American guidance counsellors will return home with valuable information on Nova Scotia's universities and colleges.

Nova Scotia universities and colleges offer world-class education, low student-teacher ratios and competitive tuition. The province's rich culture and historical ties to the United States also make Nova Scotia an attractive option for American students.

The guidance counsellors arrive in Yarmouth on Monday, July 19. During their week in Nova Scotia, they are visiting the campuses of Acadia, Dalhousie, King's College, St. Francis Xavier, Universite Ste-Anne, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, University College of Cape Breton, Mount Saint Vincent, and Saint Mary's. Also on the schedule, are visits to the Centre of Geographic Sciences and the Gaelic College of Cape Breton.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For a complete trip summary, please contact 902-424-2795.