Renee Lurie, Int'l. Independent Educational Consultant

🍩🏔️ North Carolina, you were such a treat! 🇺🇸 I was lucky enough to be one of just 7 international school-based and independent counselors invited on the 2nd annual Mountains to Coast tour in NC!

🌄✈️ Alongside colleagues from England, Canada, Colombia, Africa, China, and the Bahamas—and reps from and —we explored a stellar lineup of universities across the state. 💥
We visited:
✔️ UNC Charlotte
✔️ High Point University
✔️ Wake Forest University
✔️ NC State University
✔️ Duke University
✔️ East Carolina University

📍From sipping Cheerwine 🍒 (North Carolina’s cherry soda!) to cheering on the High Point Rocker at their ⚾ game (they won big 12-2!)…🍦to eating legendary Howling Cow ice cream at and taking a very sweaty but hilarious Trolley Pub ride through downtown Raleigh 🚲…this trip was full of fun, flavor, and LOTS of insights.
What stood out?

🧠 Seriously strong STEM & design programs
🌳 Gorgeous, green campuses (so well-kept!)
🌤️ That sweet spot of four seasons—not too hot, not too cold
✈️ Direct flights home to Costa Rica from CLT
💰 And yep...still relatively affordable for international students!

If you’re dreaming of studying in the USA and want a blend of strong academics, friendly vibes, and great quality of life, NC should be on your radar! 💡🌍

Still in a bit of shock (the good kind!) after receiving a DM from my amazing LATAM IEC colleague, Jennie Kent, letting me know I’d received the Making A Difference award at the 2025 IECA Conference in Detroit! 🥹

So honored — and a little bummed I wasn’t there in person to celebrate. 🙃

Even more special to share this recognition with my brilliant Scotland Global Symposium partner, Sara Cavalieri — congrats, Sara! 💥👏 And a huge shoutout to all the other incredible award recipients. 🏆💪🏼

Since this is my first time being recognized by IECA in this way, I’m not exactly sure how the selection happens — but to whoever was involved in shining a light on our work, thank you. It means a lot to feel seen and appreciated in this global community. 🙏🏼🩵

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJo0rhXOrg5/?igsh=MXcza21lZDBvM2Vx

Happy Holidays one and all!

Look forward, put one foot before the other, repeat, and you’ll make it to wherever you are supposed to be.

My students’ accomplishments make me proud, but this is extra special. My husband and I spent the week before Christmas celebrating our eldest daughter’s graduation from Arizona State University, where she earned a BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences!

Ilana’s path to selecting her university degree wasn’t straightforward. Like many students today, there were ups and downs, pauses, and bursts of energy as she took twists and turns on her journey to where she is today.

↪️ She changed career fields after a year of self-discovery, adulting, strengthening executive functioning skills, managing public transportation, navigating a boyfriend relationship, and living at home while studying at a public university in Costa Rica.

↩️ She then enrolled in a private university, and after the first semester, she knew that field wasn’t for her.

↪️ She did a 180 and decided she was ready to live in the States for the first time. She revisited and investigated Speech-language pathology—a field her school-college counselor had previously recommended (me!).

⤴️ In 2020, she enrolled in online courses for a semester that would transfer to a community college in Arizona.

↩️ In ‘20-’21, she moved to Arizona to live with her extended family, earned an Arizona license, found a good job, and became an Arizona resident, which granted her in-state tuition status while she took community college courses. Having earned an AAS degree as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant, she ultimately decided a BS degree was what she wanted.

⤴️ After 9 months, she moved into an apartment with a roommate and enrolled in ASU’s pathway program to earn a BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences and is now applying to master’s programs to become a bilingual SLP.

While Ilana’s flight is unique, it is not unusual. It is just one example of how the path to higher education and career is no longer the direct path it may have once been for my generation and those before me. She’s taken the first steps into a career that fits her incredibly well, but as most of us know, careers evolve, and no doubt hers will too.
*Shared with her consent.
➡️

It’s November 14th, and it dawned on me yesterday that it’s been four months since the International ACAC annual conference, hosted by Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. I have yet to say THANK YOU.

July passed by in a blur for me as my father passed away on June 23, a week before I had to travel to Canada. Finding a flight out the next day to be with my mom and sisters in Arizona was a mad dash. I briefly considered not attending IACAC and forfeiting my spot on the counselor bus tour afterward. Still, I knew my dad and my mom, lifelong educators, would not have wanted me to. They know how important it is for me to stay current in my field of international education and that visiting universities is not an easy nor inexpensive task traveling from my home, Costa Rica.

It’s interesting how the conference actually helped me process losing my father unexpectedly by forcing me to clear the fog and focus on learning to soak up as much as possible to later share with my LATAM & Caribbean colleagues and students looking at Canada as a viable option for their undergraduate studies. It was heartwarming to reminisce with colleagues who entered this profession around the same time as me and to see how our beliefs and attitudes have adjusted or completely changed over the past 12 years. This reflection inspired me to ponder how I can continue to evolve in the years to come. And, while I know I was not my usual energetic self, I’m grateful for my colleagues and friends who could relate to my heartache and checked in to see how I was coping.

The Caribbean and LATAM region had strong representation, with 27 counselors representing eight countries. I was proud to represent Costa Rica as an independent counselor and professional member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), along with five of my school-based college counselor colleagues from local institutions.

Yesterday was my dad’s heavenly 81st birthday (I love that phrase, Rox). I know he would have loved to hear about the session topics and what I thought of each of the 13 universities I toured afterward, so I dedicate this post and the following about the tour to you, Dad. I miss you.

Last week was a truly memorable experience! After joining the IECA Independent Educational Consultants Association in 2019 as an associate member and graduating to professional membership in 2023, I finally had the opportunity to attend my first IECA event in Madrid, Spain!

The thrill of meeting new colleagues in person like Cornelia Betschart de Fuertes after numerous Zoom discussions about admissions to German universities was unparalleled. I also enjoyed seeing Yesim Erez for the second time since our initial meeting at Miami's 2023 International ACAC conference. One of the highlights was sitting in the same room as David Hawkins and listening to his insightful presentation on UK Universities: Beyond the Basics.

I also found the discussion by admission representatives from Universidad Carlos III Madrid on the recent decree governing access and admission to Spanish universities for international students particularly enlightening. It's safe to say that things are about to get very interesting!

The success of our event was largely due to the pivotal role played by Saint Louis University - Madrid Campus. Their efforts to host our 90+ members and sponsors were commendable and deeply appreciated. The dedication and hard work of the IECA Independent Educational Consultants Association Global Committee in compiling university tour options before the event did not go unnoticed.

I am thrilled to have visited Esade Barcelona, San Pablo, Madrid (Moncloa y Monteprincipe), IE Business School Madrid (3x), Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, TAI Arts in Madrid, and met many more reps at the two events hosted by Spain College Degrees. Luckily, I'm blessed to have one of my daughters studying in Spain and will return soon!

IMPORTANT / IMPORTANTE!!! Hi/hola! Good news!
I attended the IECA Global Symposium in Madrid, Spain, this past week, and I support the following initiative and hope you will, too!

NON-Spanish writers who want to support this initiative, please look below for a copy-and-paste version you could submit to make a positive change for international students applying to public and private universities in Spain with international credentials.
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The Ministry of Education in Spain is allowing the public to express their opinion/suggestions/recommendations regarding the upcoming changes to the "Draft Royal Decree establishing the basic regulations governing access and admission to university for students in possession of a degree, diploma or study equivalent to the Baccalaureate degree, obtained or completed in the foreign educational systems"

En español: Proyecto de real decreto por el que se establece la normativa básica que regula el acceso y la admisión a la universidad del alumnado en posesión de un título, diploma o estudio equivalente al título de Bachiller, obtenido o realizado en los sistemas educativos extranjeros contemplados en la disposición adicional trigésima sexta de la Ley Orgánica 2/2006, de 3 de mayo, de Educación."

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28!!!
https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/servicios-al-ciudadano/informacion-publica/consulta-publica-previa/abiertos/2024/prd-alumnado-extranjero.html
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The Spanish version says in English:

Royal Decree establishing the basic regulations governing access and admission to university for students in possession of a degree, diploma, or study equivalent to the Bachillerato degree, obtained or carried out in foreign educational systems as contemplated in the thirty-sixth additional provision of the Organic Law 2/2006, of May 3, on Education

Dates for public consultation:
Start date: February 14, 2024
Deadline for submission of contributions: February 28, 2024

Submission of contributions through the form below (Where you fill out)

There are 2 spaces to fill out:

* Tema de la aportación– means Topic of the contribution:

* Desarrollo de la aportación- Explanation goes here (this is where you paste the information below in Spanish. See the English translation underneath the Spanish version)
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COPY AND PASTE IN THE FIELD "DESAROLLO DE LA APORTACIÓN":

Soy un estudiante/padre/madre/maestro en (INSERT YOUR LOCATION) En los últimos años, he apreciado un interés creciente en las universidades españolas tanto por su calidad como por las características del país. Sin embargo, muy pocos alumnos se desplazan a universidades españolas debido, principalmente, a las barreras de acceso y los plazos de admisión.

Quisiera por tanto hacer algunas sugerencias para la regulación de los tests que van a introducir para alumnos extranjeros de fuera de la UE sin acuerdo bilateral:

El plazo para la solicitud debe ser temprano, idealmente desde octubre hasta abril del año anterior.

Que los alumnos puedan recibir una admisión condicional en este período, de modo que se decidan por España a tiempo de prepararse.

Las pruebas deberían medir sus competencias y capacidades y hacerse regularmente – cada 2 meses?, además de ser online y en inglés y/o español.

Podrían considerar permitir que SAT/ACT, pruebas externas IB, haber superado un International Foundation Programme u otros similares como sustitutos de la prueba.

Insistir sobre todo en la importancia de los plazos, ya que de no contar con ofertas condicionales y plazos tempranos, los alumnos se deciden por países que ya pueden ofrecerles una oferta condicional en enero/febrero y no esperan hasta junio, cuando ya han tenido que desechar todas las demás opciones.
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English Translation:
I am an educational consultant and/or professor/teacher/student/parent based in (INSERT YOUR LOCATION HERE). In recent years, I have noticed an increasing interest in Spanish universities both for their quality and for the characteristics of the country. However, very few students attend Spanish universities due to access barriers and admission deadlines.

Therefore, I would like to make some suggestions for the regulation of the tests that are going to be introduced for foreign students from outside the EU without a bilateral agreement:

The application period should be early, ideally from October to April of the previous year.

Students should be able to receive conditional admission during this period, so they decide on Spain in time to prepare.

The tests should measure their skills and abilities and be conducted regularly - every 2 months?, in addition to being online and in English and/or Spanish.

They could consider allowing SAT/ACT, external IB tests, having passed an International Foundation Programme, or similar as substitutes for the test.

Emphasize above all the importance of deadlines, as without conditional offers and early deadlines, students opt for countries that can already offer them a conditional offer in January/February and do not wait until June, when they have had to discard all other options.

Proyecto de real decreto por el que se establece la normativa básica que regula el acceso y la admisión a la universidad del alumnado en posesión de un título, diploma o estudio equivalente al título de Bachiller, obtenido o realizado en los... PRD normativa básica que regula el acceso y la admisión a la universidad del alumnado en posesión de título, diploma o estudio equivalente a Bachiller

Feliz Navidad 🎄! Sending nature’s warm 🌈 embrace wherever you may be in this big beautiful 🌎!

After a week in Italy, my husband and I made a pit stop in Madrid, Spain, where we played tourists for a day and met up with family from Puerto Rico. The next day, I took the wimpy way out (I didn’t trust my inner compass) and caught an Uber to IE University Madrid’s campus to meet in person for the first time two fabulous independent educational advisors and members of IECA, and Christian Shull. I first stepped foot on the campus in 2014 as a school-based counselor participating in a group workshop (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.746098522104111&type=3) seven years before the IE tower’s 2021 inauguration.

Wow, so much has changed! The tower is 35 floors tall and is one of five stunning buildings in the urban business district. If you’re from Costa Rica or have visited and spent time in Avenida Escazu, I would describe the tower and surroundings as Avenida Escazu x20! After planning logistics for the 2024 IECA European Spain Symposium with Elisa Melendez Martin, the three of us lunched with Maria Cecilia Aparicio, Regional Senior Manager of Latin America, Marta López, Global Markets Manager, and Valentina Zubeldia Rivero, Junior Manager Global Admissions & Enrollment. Thank you so much for your time!

Another major highlight was touring the campus with an actual IE first-year BBA student, , my youngest daughter! The next evening, she and I dined at Honest Greens, an incredible, healthy, delicious, quick, and affordable restaurant (hello, please bring to CR!) co-founded by a former IE graduate student who completed his undergraduate at Arizona State University, where I received my MA, and my eldest daughter is in the third year of the BS Speech and Language program. ¡Qué tuanis!

I look forward to a return visit in February 2024 and the IECA European Symposium!