Welcome to GenBuzz!

At Gen Next, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful these conversations can be. Our g2 gatherings create a platform for large-scale discussions—whether in person or virtual—where we nominate counselors to represent the broader community and participate in panel discussions on pressing topics. But this space is different—it's an ongoing effort to ensure that every counselor’s voice is heard. I want you to feel celebrated, to recognize the countless hours you dedicate to helping students secure a place at their dream college, and to acknowledge the uncounted moments where you double as an agony aunt (or uncle). And above all, I want this to be a space that reminds you, every once in a while, that you are enough.

I want universities to be able to showcase some of their programs, things that no one even knew existed. I distinctly remember traveling on our India Calling tour to Jaipur with a cohort of six universities, and for the first time, I heard of a major in Turfgrass Science and Management—an integrated program of study that includes basic and applied plant sciences, business management courses, and an internship to prepare students for careers as decision makers in golf courses, sports fields, and landscape construction or management. It blew my mind to think that an area so niche even existed, and if a student knew this beforehand, they could plan an entire career and life out of it. It's the counselor network that always has the access to most students and through this newsletter I want to showcase to you, the sea of opportunities the world of education has to offer and that way equipping you to answer every "But sir..." or "But Miss, I'm not sure what I want to be."

I want to occasionally bring in the voice of a student, like Tamanna, my curious 12th-grade advisee here in Hyderabad, who is currently in Prayagraj, vlogging about her experiences at the biggest gathering the world has ever witnessed—the Mahakumbh, an event that occurs once every 144 years and a spectacle she wants to showcase in her college applications. I can’t even begin to fathom how exciting her reflections will be or how she will integrate this experience into her college application essays. In my 10 years as a college counselor, one of the most common questions I’ve heard is, "Ma’am, what do I include under the activities section, and what counts as an extracurricular activity?" By sharing these anecdotes from students in our global network, we can provide great examples to help your students shape their own activities and essays.

And finally, I want to act as your eyes and ears into the international education sphere and share my reflection on everything hot and happening in the world of international education. I plan to collect observations and insights from our global tours. From Richard in the UK, to Ben in Canada, and Girish (who traverses across the earth), I plan to pique the thoughts of all my colleagues, spread across continents, to give me their two pence on what they're observing in their travels, regions, and through their networks.

I'm truly looking forward to hearing from all of you with your thoughts and ideas. Signing off today with a heart full of hope, a brain full of ideas, and a promise that you will hear from me every month! 

Manager for College Counseling and Student Success

Gen Next Education