Advising
The AMIDEAST Advising
Services professional team provides a wide range of
services related to U.S. education and standardized
testing. Specialties include resource development, consulting
and research services, and support for test administration
and credential authentication.
Resource Collections
The AMIDEAST Educational Information Center is a private
collection of materials, primarily on U.S. Education,
which is used extensively by staff.
Although not open to the public, the Educational Information
Center provides a solid foundation of information to
support AMIDEAST’s extensive advising and research
services, providing up-to-date information and essential
facts on educational and training institutions in the
United States. The large number of resources available
at the center reflects AMIDEAST’s almost fifty
years of experience in helping students find appropriate
undergraduate, graduate, and nondegree programs. The
facility houses ample information on these areas and
on special research and training opportunities. Supervised
by the Director of Advising and Testing Services and
staffed by a Senior Research Officer and Senior Research
Assistant, the center is an integral component of AMIDEAST's
educational information and advising efforts.
The AMIDEAST Educational Information Center contains
over 2,500 publications, including general reference
works, college guides, field of study guides, and more.
CD-ROMs and on-line resources are also available.
In the course of their student advising efforts, AMIDEAST
staff are regularly in contact with educational institutions.
Information gathered through these contacts and through
staff research is divided into the following areas:
- Institutional Files (over 700 undergraduate and
400 graduate files);
- Field of Study Files (over 400 fields); and
- Short-Term Training Program Files (10,000 programs
in 340 specializations).
The Advising and Testing Services Division also keeps
information on English language programs, accreditation
questions, testing issues, publishers, educational service
organizations, financial aid, and educational reference
publishers, among many other topics concerning U.S.
higher education and international educational exchange.
Training Experiences
AMIDEAST’s Advising and Testing Services Division
has experience in providing training and orientation
in advising and testing services. Some of the training
sessions presented by the staff in recent years have
included—
- Researching U.S. study topics. Sessions and library
tours presented as part of the U.S.-Based Training
Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State
for advisers worldwide.
- Computer training. Hands-on workshops using such
software packages as Gradsearch, CollegeSource, and
Expan, presented at the NAFSA: Association of International
Educators national conference.
- Internet use. Tools and strategies for researching
U.S. Education on the World Wide Web, presented at
the Biregional Conference in New Delhi, India.
- Short-term training. Types of U.S. training and
how to locate programs, presented at the New Delhi
Biregional Conference and the South American Regional
Conference held in Lima, Peru.
- Researching unknown educational institutions. Strategies
for searching presented at the New Delhi Biregional
Conference and other venues.
- Distance education. Development and evaluation of
U.S. programs, presented at the NAFSA national conference.
- Recruiting in the Middle East. Examination of particular
regions, strategies, and resources, presented by AMIDEAST
Headquarters and field office staff at NAFSA conferences
and other venues.
The Advising and Testing Services Division can also assist
in providing or arranging conferences, college fairs, and
training in all areas of advising and testing. Please contact
us to discuss the needs of your institution.
To learn more about studying in the United States, explore the new U.S. Study Advantage section of this site. Then contact our office to get the most current information and to schedule a consultation for individual help.
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