Careers & Counselling Centre Partners with US Embassy to Guide Students on Navigating American Scholarships
The University of Botswana's (UB) Careers and Counselling Centre on the 3rd of September 2024 hosted a Graduate Scholarship Information Session in collaboration with the United States of America (USA) Embassy at the UB Library Auditorium. The purpose of the session was to guide students on how to navigate American scholarships.
Education USA Adviser and American Spaces Coordinator at the US Embassy, Ms Teigen Voetberg, addressed both graduate and undergraduate students providing valuable insights on identifying credible scholarships and universities in the US. She underscored the importance of verifying the legitimacy of institutions through the US Embassy and finding scholarships that aligned with students' academic backgrounds and interests. Ms Voetberg also highlighted the advantage of securing strong reference letters from lecturers which she said could significantly boost scholarship acceptance chances.
In addition to academic excellence, Ms Voetberg encouraged students to engage in social and community service given that American universities highly valued volunteer work in areas such as teaching, coaching or other community-focused fields. That, she noted, could give applicants a competitive edge.
Although English is widely used in Botswana, students were advised to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as these were essential admission requirements for most US universities. Ms Voetberg also urged students to consider factors such as standard of living, transportation options as well as the overall environment when selecting a university. She suggested that they chose locations that might remind them of home. Ms Voetberg further cautioned students to carefully evaluate student loan options and to approach financing decisions with care particularly when considering taking on debt.
Deputy Director of Careers and Counselling, Mr Selebaleng Mmapatsi, thanked the US Embassy for its continued support in promoting academic excellence. He encouraged students to seize such scholarship opportunities to advance their careers and broaden their horizons.