Andrea Downer, Features Writer

Novia and her friend Michele stood out from the crowd of mostly fifth formers clamouring around recruiters from several overseas colleges at the Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, October 23. The two young ladies, both 22 years-old, disclosed that they graduated from high school approximately five years ago, but for financial reasons had shelved the thought of attending university until now.

"We realise that if you have a degree from an overseas university, you will get better paying jobs, as a degree from an overseas university is more highly recognised in Jamaica and on your résumé," Novia told The Gleaner, when asked why she is thinking about studying overseas.

Her friend Michele, on the other hand, said the opportunity to travel and experience other cultures was part of her decision to explore the possibility of studying outside Jamaica.

Allure of scholarships

However, for a group of young ladies attending upper sixth form at St. Hugh's High school, the allure of scholarships, that the foreign universities offer, was the pull factor.

Twenty-year-old Shemeka Taylor, a Jamaican, who is currently attending Monroe College in the US, was one of the many college advisers on hand to give the students information. According to Ms. Taylor, who graduated from Queen's a few years ago, many students turned out for the two-day event.

The annual college fair is hosted and organised by the United States Embassy in Kingston and gives Jamaican students and their parents the opportunity to discuss options for studying outside of Jamaica with representatives from United States, Canada and Jamaican tertiary institutions.

The fair ended yesterday.