This episode of the Voice of TIE podcast features international school counselors Sammy Jamal and Sam Caras discussing how geopolitical shifts are reshaping post-secondary counseling in international schools. They note that students are increasingly choosing universities in countries where they hold citizenship, while highly selective institutions in the United States remain attractive despite concerns about school shootings, the political climate, visa policies, and even social media scrutiny. Interest is also growing in Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, as well as European private universities in Spain, Italy and Germany, while satellite campuses of prestigious institutions continue to expand globally. Students are becoming more selective about US locations, often prioritizing proximity to family and direct flight access, a trend that has grown since the pandemic. Throughout the conversation, both counselors emphasize the importance of flexibility and values-based decision-making as counseling continues to evolve to support students navigating an increasingly complex global higher education landscape.
Stacy Stephens is the Director of TIE.
