July 22, 2024

Office of International Education hosts guidance counselors from around the world to share how Ferris State University programs change lives

Ferris State welcomed a group of international guidance counselors to visit campus — Dozens of guidance counselors from international secondary schools visited Ferris State University on Tuesday, July 16, as guests of the Office of International Education for a campus tour, presentation, and evening picnic on an area farm.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

Dozens of international guidance counselors experienced Ferris State University, the city of Big Rapids and Mecosta County during a recent visit to show their students how a Ferris State education can change their lives.

The group, which included a representative of EDUSA Nigeria, a U.S. Department of State program, heard a presentation in the David L. Eisler Center prior to touring campus.

Jennifer Okoye, of EDUSA, said Ferris State strikes her as an attractive option for the Nigerian students that she supports.

“Our students are after a welcoming school, a comfortable environment and quality academics,” Okoye said. “Given the state of Nigeria’s economy, it is most important that their educational choice is affordable, so their investment has real value.”

Visiting guidance counselors represented China, Nigeria, Central America, Southeast Asia, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The group received a sampling of the west-central Michigan lifestyle, including an early-evening cookout at a Mecosta County farm.

While on their circuit of the National Elastomer Center, Michig

Ferris State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bobby Fleischman addresses a group of international guidance counselors visiting campus in July 2024.

an College of Optometry and the Center for Virtual Learning, high-interest program faculty shared details about their specialties.

Office of International Education Executive Director Tara Braun said this counselors’ visit gives Ferris State an opportunity to showcase its academic and social offerings.

“This event has been months in the making. We had an application process in place for our guests,” Braun said. “It is quite amazing to have representatives from all these countries to meet our international students and create a pathway to Ferris.”

The Office of International Education is working to build on the over 130 international students attending Ferris State during the 2023-24 academic year.

Jessica Vechbanyongratana, of Bangkok Prep in Thailand, said the counselors’ group is visiting eight schools in Michigan.

“It is important to see the schools and have the base of information about what is available here,” Vechbanyongratana said. “It is nice to be welcomed by a range of contacts here at Ferris.”

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Bobby Fleischman joined Dean of Extended and International Operations Steve Reifert in the Eisler Center session. Other presenters for the visiting guidance counselors included College of Pharmacy Dean Stephen Durst, Information Security and Intelligence faculty member Jerry Emerick and Glen Okonoski, from Ferris State’s School of Digital Media.