Adelaide makes an impression on counsellors

Future Students

Career counsellors from the eastern states were singing the praises of the University of Adelaide following a two-day introduction to the university and its city recently.

Anne Schoonraad from Presbyterian Ladies College, an independent girls school in Melbourne, Frank Thompson from Melbourne Grammar School, an independent boys school and Jenny Oglesby of Melbourne independent co-ed school, Taylors College, were among 22 career counsellors who came to Adelaide from secondary schools in Victoria and New South Wales.

Anne, who has several former students studying here, said: "I am very impressed with the facilities, I think it's a fantastic university - it's in the heart of the city but still has its own atmosphere."

Frank said the visit was "an opportunity to see one of Australia's leading universities first-hand and what it has to offer."

"It's important for our students to be aware that we deal in a national system and they shouldn't restrict their thinking to just what's in the local community, a short tram-ride away."

At Taylors College international students, the majority from China, form about 80 percent of the enrolment. Jenny said the overseas students were "quite mobile and want to go to a Group of Eight university - there were quite a few last year for whom Adelaide was the first choice and they didn't want to fill out a VTAC form."

Student Information and Services director Liz Geddes said the counsellors attended presentations from the faculties and student support services, and were taken on tours of the North Terrace campus and city of Adelaide.

"There's nothing more powerful than actually seeing and feeling the University of Adelaide campus and Adelaide," she said.
She said both the counsellors and faculty representatives were extremely pleased with the event, especially as it enabled them to meet and speak in person.

Story by Lisa Toole