By Arabella Balderama

Photo by Luis Sinangote

On October 25 to 26, the grade 12 students of Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) gathered on the second floor of the Formation Learning Center (FLC) to attend the General and Foreign Educational Explorations (EdEx) spearheaded by the ASHS Guidance Counselors.

The two-day event consisted of talks from both local and international institutions, booths, and the distribution of tokens from some participating universities.

To encourage ASHS students and guide them in their career decision-making, the following schools joined the EdEx:

LOCAL SCHOOLS:

• Adamson University
• Air Link International Aviation College
• Asia Pacific College
• Asian Institute of Management
• Asian Institute of Maritime Studies
• Center for Culinary Arts Manila
• Centro Escolar University
• CIIT College of Arts and Technology
• De La Salle Araneta University
• De La Salle College of St. Benilde
• De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
• De La Salle University Dasmariñas
• De La Salle University
• Enderun Colleges
• Far Eastern University Group of Schools
• iACADEMY
• International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management
• José Rizal University
• Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila
• Manuel L. Quezon University
• Mapúa University
• Mary Chiles College
• National University MOA
• Philippine Cultural College Quezon City
• SoFA Design Institute
• Southville International School and Colleges
• St. Scholastica’s College Manila
• STI College Cubao
• Technological Institute of the Philippines Quezon City
• Thames International School, Inc.
• University of Asia and the Pacific
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the East
• University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
• WCC Aeronautical and Technological College North Manila
• World Citi Colleges Quezon City

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS/AGENCIES:

• IDP (including Taylors College – UniSyd & Trinity College – UniMelb)
• IELTS
• EducationUSA
• Savannah College of Art and Design
• Study International
• AUG Philippines (including Deakin University & Humber College)
• SIM Global Education
• University of British Columbia
• Lewis University

These varying institutions were chosen from a survey answered by grade 12 students regarding the colleges they are interested in. 

Aside from the scheduled program at the FLC, the seniors were also allowed to visit the booths during their breaks and dismissal times.

Moreover, the contact details of each school were made available to the students, which can be found in their respective Google Classrooms.

Avenue for discernment

The Assistant Principal for Formation, Ms. Jennifer Concepcion, delivered opening remarks during the event, citing that she hopes the EdEx would help students in their college application process and learn more about other schools.

“…Consider that decision on where you can really share yourself, where you can really be a person for-and-with others,” she emphasized.

On the other hand, Ms. Ericka Andal, one of the ASHS Guidance Counselors, said that the EdEx aimed to allow the seniors to explore the different opportunities universities offer.

“The purpose of this event, or the education exploration, is to give you guys a chance to explore the different schools, what they offer, and what they have to give you in terms of your college courses, future careers, and stuff like that,” Ms. Ericka stated.

“Our aim here is basically to show you that there are a lot of schools that can give you opportunities in the future,” she added.