EducationUSA Advising Center

About EducationUSA

Located in 170 countries, EducationUSA centers assist millions of international students acquire accurate, updated, and comprehensive information about higher education in the United States. Prospective international students are provided with the appropriate and necessary resources and guidance of how to apply to accredited U.S. colleges and universities. This includes information about application procedures, standardized test requirements, student visas, financial aid, and the full range of accredited U.S. higher education institutions. The EducationUSA network is an official affiliate of, and is supported by, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Advising centers are staffed by EducationUSA advisers, many of whom have first-hand experience studying in the United States and have U.S. State Department-approved training about the U.S. higher education system and application processes.

The EducationUSA Advising Center

The EducationUSA Advising Center in Mauritius is located in the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. It falls within the Public Diplomacy Section of the Embassy. Its major goal is to assist Mauritian and Seychellois students attain updated, accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive information about higher education opportunities in the United States.

323 Mauritians are currently studying in the United States. According to the annual Open Doors report, 175 students are pursuing an Undergraduate degree, 78 are enrolled in a graduate (Masters or PhD) program, 2 are enrolled in a non-degree program, and 78 are under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme, which allows international students to work after graduation to gain experience. The top five U.S. states Mauritian students go to are Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, California, and Massachusetts.

Services offered by EducationUSA Advising Center at the U.S. Embassy

General Advising Session

Students (undergraduate and graduate) seeking information on higher education studies in the United States for the first time are invited to attend a General Advising Session. During these sessions, the EducationUSA Advisor will present a program of general information on the different processes and requirements needed for undergraduate and graduate U.S. university applications, financial aid/scholarship opportunities, as well as what to expect on an American college campus as a Mauritian. Depending on COVID-19 sanitary protocols set by the U.S. Embassy and/or the Mauritian Government, General advising sessions will take place on the last Thursday of every month, on appointment only. These sessions will occur either in-person or virtual.

General Advising Session
On the first Thursday of every month from 3:00 pm to 4:00 p.m. Follow @usembassy.portlouis Facebook page for details on how to join.

Chat with the EducationUSA Adviser
Virtual lunch hour chat from Noon – 1:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month. Follow @usembassy.portlouis Facebook page for details on how to join.

Individual appointment

Students who have attended a general advising session may schedule an individual appointment with the EducationUSA Adviser. One accompanying parent will be allowed to access the meeting. Individual appointments with the EducationUSA advisor are highly recommended to enable in-depth discussions on study plans. Parents get the opportunity to talk freely and privately about personal matters related to finances and family situation.

EducationUSA membership

Students who have already attended a General Advising Session are eligible to apply for the free EducationUSA membership. As members, students benefit from the following free services:

Members are added to a WhatsApp student group, which enables easier communication between students and the EducationUSA adviser and quicker dissemination of information and resources, as well as, sharing of ideas
A membership card will be issued to members which allows them to access the EducationUSA Advising Center, without appointment, on specified days and time frames (pending approval)
Access to reference and standardized test books, as well as other educational resources
Access to computers to practice for computer-based testing, online application/registration, and internet use
Access to specialized workshops*
Access to workshops and presentations conducted, in-person or virtual, by U.S. university admissions officers*
Discussions with American Diplomats at the U.S. Embassy on various topics*
Access to an EducationUSA conference and/or fair*
Visa session and pre-departure orientation session

For more information on the EducationUSA membership, please contact the EducationUSA adviser.

Specialized workshops*

Specialized workshops in which the EducationUSA adviser discusses the different components of the university application. Topics vary from applying to U.S. universities and financial aid/scholarship available to international students to pre-departure orientation sessions, visa sessions and many more.

Hosting U.S. University admission officers: Face-to-face and virtual*

Students and parents are invited to attend face-to-face or virtual sessions/workshops run by U.S. university admissions officers. So far, the following universities have visited Mauritius in-person: University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Yale University, Dartmouth University, Vanderbilt University, Columbia University, Cornell University, University of Arizona, University of Delaware, Northwestern University, Indiana University, Duke University, University of Colorado, and New York University Abu Dhabi Campus.

Discussion with American Diplomats*

Students are invited to participate in discussions with American Diplomats and the EducationUSA adviser at the U.S. Embassy, or another venue, or virtually. Topics of discussion will range from American College Campuses and American culture to the different agencies of the U.S. Government and how U.S. Embassies operate across the globe.

EducationUSA Conference and fair*

EducationUSA will run one conference or fair, which will bring together U.S. university Alumni to share their experiences.

Contact

EducationUSA Advising Center Contact Information

Mailing Address:
The EducationUSA Advisor
Embassy of the United States of America
4^th Floor, Rogers House
John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Tel: +230 202-4453
Fax: +230 212-2808
Email: portlouis_education@state.gov