The University Guys

In this episode of The University Guy Podcast , David Hawkins explores Swiss education with Serge and Tom from Swiss School Consulting. Beyond scenic alpine vistas, Switzerland offers diverse boarding schools with pupils from over 150 nations, fostering truly global perspectives.  Serge emphasises looking beyond "the best" rankings, advising families to prioritise personal fit, curriculu...

In this episode David chats with Dr. Perry LaRoque, former university professor, special education expert, and founder of Mansfield Hall.  Together, they unpack why executive functioning skills—not IQ or test scores—are the ultimate predictor of college success for students. Dr. Perry shares practical strategies for high school counselors, parents, and students on navigating the transition to high...

In this episode of The University Guys Podcast , host David Hawkins explores the "hidden curriculum" of student accommodation with Harsha Brown, Director of Hosts International. They unpack how a student's living situation directly impacts academic success, cultural integration, and overall well-being when studying abroad. Key Topics Covered Beyond the Bedroom: Why finding the right...

In this update episode, David Hawkins follows up on Episode 24's interview with Unifrog co-founder Alex Kelly. Joining the podcast today is Nick Weir, an 11-year Unifrog veteran who leads the organisation's international school and higher education partnerships. David and Nick reflect on Unifrog’s remarkable evolution from an 8-person UK start-up to a global platform supporting over 1,30...

Dubai’s educational landscape is fast-paced, highly competitive, and incredibly diverse. For families looking at university in the Emirate, the options are many and varied. In this episode, David catches up with Jan Williams, Head of Sixth Form and Careers University Guidance Counsellor at Repton Al Barsha, Dubai, to learn more.

What does it look like to build a better future across boundaries? As a cohort of over 100 students from 40+ countries travelling across seven global regions, the Baret Scholars are proof that community can bridge any cultural divide. In this episode, David is joined by Naijing Guo to learn more about this exciting programme.

100 episodes. To mark it, we did something different. At our Global Pathways Summit in London, Hannah Young grabbed counsellors and university reps between sessions and asked them one question: why international? Schools talked breadth, day-school students wanting bigger worlds, networks that travel. Universities discussed class sizes of 17, degree specialisation, and life on campus. And then we t...

From K-Pop and K-Makeup to world-class STEM programs, South Korea is rapidly becoming a top-tier destination for international students. But while the "K-Wave" is exciting, the university admissions process is notoriously complex, paper-heavy, and strict. In this episode, David Hawkins sits down with Justin Kurrass , a veteran high school counsellor with over 20 years of experience (incl...

 In this episode, David Hawkins explores the rising popularity of Spain as a premier destination for international students. Joining him is Oliver Rodriguez-Pearson, a Madrid-based educational consultant with Lemon Tree Education who breaks down the unique "formula" that makes Spanish universities thrive: a blend of high-quality English-taught programs, a diverse international intake, an...

Richard Doring from CIEE  joins David to discuss gap year opportunities. 

David is joined by Roberto Valdo Cortese of Valdo Academics to discuss the current landscape of Italian university admissions.

How did a specialised university in Milan transform itself from a national secret into one of the most selective and international higher education institutions in the world? In the early 2000s, the idea of studying in English in Italy was practically unheard of. If you wanted a global business education, you went to the UK or the US. Today, Università Bocconi has broken that duopoly, becoming a t...

David is joined by Sandy Furth, a globally travelled international university advisor, who discusses her areas of specialisation, including "twice exceptional" students and her work at World Student Support .

Our guest this week is Claire O'Connor from RCSI , exploring medical studies in the Republic of Ireland.

Find out about a university pathway in the United Arab Emirates, with Ango Mwakisu from NYU Abu Dhabi .

Explore the wonderful world of higher education in Prague! David is joined by Caleb House from Charles University. To find out more, visit www.studycharles.cz and https://studyinprague.cz/

Ben Ambrose of Medical Doorway joins David to explore options to study medicine in Europe, taught in English.

In this episode, we explore universities Down Under. Our guest is Stefan Watts, Founder & Director of Study Options .

Come and learn about a truly global experience, including lots of time in Asia, for students interested in an international business education. In this episode, David explores the opportunities at Tetr College of Business .

David is joined by Julie Maloney from Meto to discuss a new way to apply to universities - reverse admissions.

Join David as he speaks with Adam Wu of Stevens Institute of Technology about the student experience in the New York metro area.

Why should students visit US campuses before deciding where to apply? How is it best to spend time on campus? What key things do you need to know? Join David and Dr. Elizabeth Stone from Campanile College Tours to learn more.

This episode explores the nuances of the Claremont Colleges in California, a distinctive offering within the US higher education landscape. Our guest is Jennifer Hirsch, Senior Associate Dean of International Admission at Claremont McKenna College.

Ben Hsu of Venture Camp helps David unpack the purpose and variety of US summer programs for high school students.

Denise Nijuis, the Coordinator of Student Recruitment and Admission at University College Roosevelt  is our guest to provide updates on the current landscape of Dutch higher education admissions. Dutch Universities Consortium Study in NL