First Blog!

So much seems to happen at IAC and often we get news of events and information that we do not really have time to share via regular channels, so I thought that I would start blogging.  I have no idea what to blog about, but surely I will find something.

Right now we are getting ready for several major events – the November and December SAT exams are fast approaching and of course these are nearly the last two exams options for students that are hoping for academic scholarships for August 2008.  And that is another thing that I keep preaching about – why does everyone seem to think that they can get ready for entry into an American university during their senior year of high school?  Doesn’t anyone realize that American students start getting ready during their third year of high school?  Admissions deadlines close quite early in the USA and most admissions committees want to see complete application packages and test scores in their offices by January at the latest.  However, there are lists of schools that have later admissions deadline, but that is high risk behavior for those wanting academic scholarships.

The good news is that we are getting closer and closer to having GMAT testing start in Serbia.  The equipment has arrived, now we just have to figure out a way to get it through customs.   As educational material that is not for resale we should not have a customs fee, but who knows what will play out?  Also we are starting a new GMAT preparation group.  It looks as if it will be on Tuesday nights from 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. with practice tests organized on weekends and during the week by arrangement.  It is going to be great for students to be able to test in Serbia without having to travel out and go through the visa drill and all of that.

I was at the Belgrade Bookfair last night at the US Embassy booth where we have a shelve or two dedicated to IAC.  The booth looks absolutely great – and there is American candy – Reese’s peanut butter cups.  I have to admit that I stuffed a couple of extras in my pockets for later!  The American Corner has a vast exhibit of books, so if you have not yet satisfied your curiosity as to the vast range of material that the American Corners have to offer, be sure to drop by. 

I also met the most wonderful man there – Pedrag Pajic.  He is with the Library of Congress – probably one of the most vast repositories of information in the world.  He was absolutely fascinating to speak with.  Visiting the Library of Congress is one of my great dreams and I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to GO!

Tomorrow I will do a short presentation on Graduate Studies in the United States along with Nikolas Trendowski from Consular Affairs.  I will handle the part about getting into grad school and Nikolas will cover the visa aspect of it all.  Also there will be presentations about the American Corners, FORECAST – a great one year program at an American university, and reading trends in the USA.  For more info visit:   http://belgrade.usembassy.gov/feature/200710.html

Also the American University in Bulgaria has their Soros Scholarship program up and running and we also have our materials from Huron University in London.  These are both great opportunities for students that want fully accredited American educations,  but do not want to be so far from home. 

Do not forget the mini-college fair on 1 November from 11.30 to 1.30 at our premises!  Admissions officers from Colorado College, Grinnell, Kenyon, and Oberlin will be here.  These are great small private liberal arts schools.

So I made it through my first blog!  I will try to write as often as possible and share some interesting information about American education and IAC.

Caio!