Free workshop for students and parents: Upgrade your knowledge with “College or University 101: The United States & Canadian Systems”

PHILIPSBURG – Many of our students aspire to attend college or university in the United States or Canada after high school but many do not really understand the systems that they want to get into. Consequently, Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, is organizing a workshop to that effect.

The workshop entitled “College or University 101: The United States and Canadian Systems” is scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in the meeting room on the first floor of the Government Administration Building from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This free workshop is aimed at high school students who recently graduated and those in their last two years and who are seeking to continue their studies in the United States or Canada. Their parents are also welcome to this workshop.

The focus of the workshop is to enlighten attendants about the US and Canadian college or university educational systems. The workshop will be facilitated by SSSD’s Career Guidance Counselors Michel Chance and Shaddai Richardson and the topics to be covered range from application to graduation. Some students who recently graduated are also expected to address the attendants and share their experiences.

“Often there is a misconception that because we are a Dutch island that it is difficult to get into a US or Canadian school or that it is cheaper to go to the Netherlands. All of these aspects will be addressed during the session,” SSSD officials said.

Emphasis will be put on the first year of college/university, where key differences in comparison to our own educational system need to be addressed, to the last year of college or university. Important aspects like the Placement Test, Grade Point Average (GPA), grades, and graduation requirements will be explained at the workshop.

“A key factor like whether students should live in the dorms, if a school has them, or off-campus, will also be addressed since this is a commonly asked question,” the SSSD officials said while adding that many parents have concerns about this. Parents are also urged to encourage their children to attend this workshop.

SSSD provides many services to students. Some services include psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, career services, and parent education.

Students and parents are encouraged to contact SSSD at 543-1235 for more information or to register for the workshop on April 20, 2023. They can also visit the SSSD office which is located in the Gatpy’s Building across from the Police Station and next to WIB.