Guidance Counsellors to Tour Nova Scotia

A group of 27 high school guidance counsellors, mostly from the New England states, will arrive in the province next week to tour Nova Scotia's universities.

The counsellors, the second of two groups to visit this summer, are here to learn more about what Nova Scotia has to offer in post-secondary education.

After arriving in Yarmouth on August 9, the group will visit seven universities in five days. They will also experience Nova Scotia culture by attending Theatre Antigonish, the Gaelic College in Cape Breton, and the Buskers Festival in Halifax.

The tour is part of the Department of Education and Culture's International Trade and Marketing Plan. New England is identified as a primary target market for recruiting students to the province's universities.

The focus is paying off. Last month, 19 counsellors toured the province and left with a greater appreciation of Nova Scotia's post-secondary system.

"An eye-opener," said Jackie Belanger of Inter-Lakes High School in New Hampshire. "I was unaware of the excellent choices in Nova Scotia."

Betty Demling, guidance counsellor at Oliver Ames High School in Massachusetts, had this to say following the tour: "A great opportunity to discover the gems of educational institutions in Canada, friendly people and vacation ideas. My best tour yet."

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 counsellors return home with valuable information on Nova Scotia's universities and colleges.

Joyce Vining Morgan of the Putney school in Vermont was impressed. "Just north of Maine is a remarkable and varied university system. U.S. counsellors owe it to their students to learn about it."

Nova Scotia offers world-class education, low student-teacher ratios and competitive tuition. Its rich culture and historical ties to the United States also make the province an attractive option for American students. Last year, the number of international students enrolled in Nova Scotia universities increased to 1,870 from about 1,670 -- or about 12 per cent -- over the previous year.

While in Nova Scotia next week, the counsellors will visit the campuses of Acadia, Dalhousie, King's, St. Francis Xavier, University College of Cape Breton, Mount Saint Vincent and Saint Mary's.

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