As visa crackdowns and diplomatic tensions block traditional study-abroad routes, India’s Leverage Edu is helping students reroute their dreams — from Canada to Germany, and from India to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. That agility is paying off: The startup has doubled its revenue, turned profitable, and is now expanding its global footprint.
Over the past several months, students across emerging markets have faced growing uncertainty around international college admissions. Shifting visa rules and diplomatic tensions — from the 2023-2024 standoff between India and Canada to new strains in India-U.S. ties over tariffs and immigration policy — have disrupted application timelines and eligibility for thousands. Countries such as Canada and Australia have introduced stricter student visa policies, catching many families off guard. Even long-standing local consultants and study-abroad firms have struggled to adapt. Meanwhile, Leverage — the startup behind the study-abroad platform Leverage Edu — has responded by helping students identify alternative destinations and adjust quickly, keeping their plans on track despite the disruption.
The eight-year-old startup was quick to respond when India-Canada relations soured, helping Indian students reroute to Germany and assisting Canadian universities in recruiting from Nigeria — effectively salvaging student pipelines in both regions. It is now applying that same playbook amid ongoing U.S.-India strains.
While Leverage continues to send students to the U.S., a growing share of that demand now comes from countries like Brazil and Vietnam — where interest in U.S. universities remains strong, founder and CEO Akshay Chaturvedi said in an interview.
That ability to shift quickly across geographies is now central to Leverage’s growth strategy. In the last two months, the startup has expanded into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, and Malaysia — emerging markets with growing numbers of students seeking to study abroad but with limited access to structured admissions support. With this push, Leverage now operates in 16 countries where it recruits students, helping them apply to universities across 11 destination countries.
Beyond applications, the startup — headquartered in Noida, a tech hub on the outskirts of New Delhi — is positioning itself as a full-service platform for international education, helping students plan, finance, and manage their journeys. Its tools include a mobile app, an AI-powered course search engine, a university matchmaking tool called UniConnect, and a newly launched SaaS suite for global universities under the brand Univalley.ai.
The startup has also expanded into adjacent categories, with offerings like Leverage MBBS for medical aspirants under Leverage Edu, as well as Fly Finance for education loans, Fly Homes for student housing, and other services under Leverage Careers and Compass.
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Leverage now places over 10,000 students annually, up from around 1,500 just a few years ago. Much of that growth has come through organic demand, with 60% of student acquisitions requiring zero customer acquisition cost, according to Chaturvedi.
“Our gap has narrowed with most of our global competitors who were either large listed companies or who had raised some of these mega rounds,” he told TechCrunch.
Leverage Founder and CEO Akshay ChaturvediImage Credits:Akshay Chaturvedi / Instagram
Financially, Leverage has seen sharp growth — and turned profitable for the first time this year, a rarity in India’s edtech sector. The startup closed fiscal year 2025 with over ₹1.8 billion (around $20 million) in revenue, doubling from the previous year’s ₹900 million (approximately $10 million). Between April and September, the first half of fiscal year 2026, it generated more than ₹2 billion (roughly $23 million), and is on track to end the fiscal year with ₹3.7-₹3.8 billion (about $45 million) in revenue.
On the profitability front, Leverage garnered ₹120-130 million (approximately $1.4-1.5 million) in profit after tax, and expects to surpass ₹250 million ($2.8 million) by the end of fiscal year 2026 — marking a 256% turnaround from a full-year loss of ₹800 million in fiscal year 2025.
The startup generates around 25% of its revenue from its platform businesses, which support students beyond admissions — with value-added services including loans, money remittance, housing, and assistance with securing internships or first jobs. The remaining 75% of revenue comes from its core education business — the student placement and counseling services. Within that, about 20% comes directly from students and 55% from universities in commissions, Chaturvedi told TechCrunch.
India remains Leverage’s largest source market, accounting for 58% of its total student base. Within the country, the startup focuses on states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab — regions that consistently send large numbers of students to universities abroad.
In terms of destinations, the U.K. remains Leverage’s largest market, accounting for 52% of student placements, followed by Germany at 22%. Italy — its fastest-growing market this summer — is also gaining traction.
North America currently represents less than 5% of total placements for Leverage, reflecting tightened visa rules and diplomatic headwinds in recent years. The startup expects this share to grow as its presence expands across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
India IPO in plans, likely for 2026
With rising revenues and an expanding global footprint, the startup is now weighing a potential IPO in India as early as next year, and investment bankers have already made early pitches, people familiar with the matter told TechCrunch.
Founder and CEO Chaturvedi did not deny the possibility of a public listing, but he said Leverage would decide between pursuing an IPO or raising external capital after hitting the $100 million revenue milestone, which the company expects to reach sometime in 2026.
So far, Leverage has raised less than $50 million in equity. The company operates across 27 countries through over 50 offices and has a headcount of around 800 people.
MINNEAPOLIS, September 2, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Qualified high school students are offered a unique opportunity to explore the world by spending an academic year, semester or summer in Europe, Asia, North or South America, Australia or South Africa as part of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program. A non-profit, public benefit organization, ASSE is dedicated to promoting closer ties of friendship between the United States and other countries by fostering intercultural understanding through youth exchange programs.
Students, 15 to 18 years old, qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references, and a genuine desire to experience life abroad with a volunteer host family. Prior knowledge of the host country’s language is not a requirement. Scholarships are available and are based on academic performance, leadership skills, and financial need.
Families abroad are carefully screened, and students do not need to know the language of the host country prior to departure, but will acquire the language skills through experiencing the day-to-day local culture and attending regular high school classes along with their new teenage friends.
ASSE also provides the experience of a lifetime to American families who are interested in hosting an international student from Spain, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Thailand, Japan, and many other countries. These exceptional young students will attend the local American high school for an academic year or semester.
Students or families interested in learning more about becoming an ASSE exchange student or host family should contact ASSE at 1-800-736-1760, visit www.studyabroad.asse.com or send an email to outbund@asse.com.
Founded in the 1930s by the Swedish Ministry of Education, ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is a non-profit, public benefit organization dedicated to fostering global understanding, cultural exchange, and personal growth through international exchange opportunities. With more than nine decades of experience, ASSE International has become a trusted leader in student exchange worldwide. For more information, visit ASSE.com.
Make a difference. Open your home and your heart-host an exchange student today!
WAYZATA, Minn., May 9, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Families across the U.S. have a unique opportunity to experience a new culture right in their own homes. ASSE International Student Exchange Programs, a non-profit public benefit organization, is currently seeking warm and welcoming host families to open their homes to international exchange students for the upcoming school year.
Hosting an exchange student is a life-changing experience for families that fosters cultural understanding, builds lifelong friendships, while enriching local communities. Students, aged 15-18 years, come from over 60 countries around the world, including France, Japan, Italy, Denmark, Australia, Spain and many more. The students are carefully selected based on their academic performance, English proficiency, and personal character, and they are eager to become part of an American family, attend a local high school, and share their own traditions.
During their stay, ASSE exchange students immerse themselves in American culture by living with and becoming part of a volunteer host family while attending a local high school. This experience allows them to improve their English skills, form lifelong friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of American life and values. In return, host families and communities benefit from the unique perspectives and cultural exchange that these students bring.
“Being a host family isn’t just about providing a place to stay; it’s about making a student from another country part of the family,” says Saphia Lesch, ASSE Regional Director. “Many host families find that the experience is just as rewarding for them as it is for the student. The bonds formed often last a lifetime.” “Exchange students bring energy, curiosity, and fresh perspectives to their host families and communities. They attend local schools, participate in activities, and become a real family member.”
Host families provide a safe and supportive home, meals, and encouragement, while students come with their own spending money and health insurance, ensuring that hosting is a rewarding and enriching experience without financial burden. Anyone with a warm and welcoming home can host an exchange student! Host families come in many forms, including married couples (with or without children), single parents, young professionals, empty-nesters, same-sex couples, and retirees.
ASSE also offers qualified American students the opportunity to learn another language and culture by spending a school year, semester or a summer with a host family in another country.
Families interested in hosting an exchange student or exploring study abroad opportunities are encouraged to learn more and apply by visiting www.host.asse.com or contacting Saphia Lesch at (800) 736-1760 / host@asse.com.
Founded in the USA in 1976, ASSE International Student Exchange Programs, a non-profit, public benefit organization, is a trusted name in Cultural Exchange. Through its mission to promote global understanding and goodwill, ASSE creates life-changing opportunities for young people and their host families to experience different cultures, learn new perspectives, and develop lifelong friendships.
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), a Non-Profit, Public Benefit Organization, is Inviting Local Families to Discover the Many Rewards of Hosting a Foreign Exchange Student
MINNEAPOLIS, January 16, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– ASSE Exchange Students come from more than 50 countries worldwide: France, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Japan, and Australia, to name a few. They are between the ages of 15 and 18 years, and they are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture, family life, school, sports, etc. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families, who welcome the students into their home, not as a guest but as a family member, giving everyone involved a rich cultural experience. Host families may be single parents, couples and single persons.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. ASSE students are carefully selected based upon academics and personality, and host families choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.
ASSE also offers qualified American students the opportunity to learn another language and culture by spending a school year, semester or a summer with a host family in another country.
Those interested in hosting an exchange student or becoming an exchange student abroad, should call Saphia Lesch at 1-800-736-1760, visit www.asse.com or send an email to asseusamidwest@asse.com to request more information or start the application process. Students are eager to learn about their American host family, so begin the process of welcoming your new son or daughter today. The memories and the friendship you create with your exchange student will stay with you forever.
Contact: Saphia Lesch ASSE Midwestern Regional Director 1-800-736-1760 asseusamidwest@asse.com
Source: ASSE International Student Exchange Programs
The holidays may be over, but study abroad students are just starting to gear up for their travels. As a parent of a soon-to-be traveler, it can be daunting trying to ensure your student is prepared for the exciting new adventures they are about to embark on whether they’re heading to Italy or Costa Rica. To ease some of the pressure, we’ve put together a comprehensive study abroad packing list that will make your (and your student’s) life easier.
Our Top Picks
Best Passport Cover: Melsbrinna Leather Passport Holder – $9.99 at Amazon
Starting our list is something every study abroad student should have: a passport cover. Passport covers are both chic and functional, providing a layer of protection for the most important documents your students will bring with them. We love these covers because they have storage compartments for credit cards, as well as RFID-Blocking technology. Whether you opt for a colorful cover or just a classic smart black, your student is sure to be satisfied with one of these selections.
Also, on that note, make sure their passport is up to date before they set out on their travels!
One of the most memorable parts of your student’s trip will be their weekend travels to other cities. Whether your student is a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, having the right backpack is a game changer. This backpack is made of water-resistant material, includes a built-in USB charging port, and has a compact design for a seamless travel experience.
A portable charger is something most college students could use in their day-to-day lives so they can keep up with texts and TikTok, but it is essential they have one when traveling to places they are unfamiliar with. Put yourself and your child at ease knowing that they’ll be able to charge their devices anywhere, regardless of the outlets available. The Anker Nano Power Bank is ideal for iPhone users thanks to its ultra-compact design and high charging capacity, while the Energizer works with all types of phones and tablets, though you’ll need to attach a charger cable to it.
Buy the Anker Nano Power Bank:
Buy the Energizer Wireless Universal Portable Charger:
One of the most important things for your student will need to bring is an outlet adapter. It’s almost guaranteed that wherever in the world your student is traveling they will need an outlet converter to keep their technology charged — and to use their hairdryer. Just make sure the wattage is compatible, too! We found two great options for iPhone and Android users that are functional and come with everything your student needs to power up!
Every student needs a reusable water bottle for their travels, and we found two great options. The Hydro Flask Stainless Steel water bottle is perfect for your active student, who may be hiking or engaging in the outdoorsy activities study abroad has to offer. It’s extremely durable and will keep water cold for hours on end, thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation.
For a lighter option, this reusable water bottle from Brita comes with a built-in filter in the straw and reduces chlorine to enhance the taste of the water. It’s a godsend for the student who doesn’t like the taste of the local tap.
Buy the Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Water Bottle:
Losing a wallet or purse in a foreign country is one of the worst things that can happen when studying abroad. But with Apple AirTags, they can see exactly where their lost item is with the Find My app and ping the tracker to help figure out where it is. With a pack of four, they can use it to track their wallet, passport, backpack, and keys — just in case.
Being gone for four to six months means students will need to pack a LOT on their journey. To help meet the 50-pound weight requirement for checked bags, a lightweight suitcase is needed. Reviewers like the stylish Delsey Paris Clavel suitcase, which only weighs just under 10 pounds. Its 30-inch size can hold a lot, there are multiple compartments, and it can be expanded if they are overstuffed.
Because they’re bound to come with more than they left with, we also recommend bringing a foldable duffle that they can pack in their luggage and use as a carry-on later on. This one from Samsonite is just under 22 inches long but folds up for easy storage..
Speaking of packing, one way to help ensure everything fits and is organized on their travels is to get some packing cubes. This set of six from OlarHike comes in different sizes, giving all their stuff a place. They come in different colors and are both tear- and water-resistant.
Another great idea our readers had is to use Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags to condense everything so it actually fits in their suitcase. This is especially helpful if they’re traveling somewhere cold and will be packing bulky sweaters. It also comes with a travel pump, so students can suck the air out of the bag if they don’t have a vacuum handy while abroad.
Even if they insist they’ll be careful, accidents can happen when traveling. Make sure your study abroad student is equipped with the necessary supplies in case of emergency. This travel-size first aid kit comes in a durable metal box and is equipped with bandages, tape, non-stick pads, butterfly strips, single-use ointments, and Ibuprofen. It’s small enough that they can pack it in their suitcase, too!
Getting your luggage lost or stolen at a hostel is the ultimate travel snafu. It’s important to stay vigilant and set your students up for safety when traveling by giving them a luggage lock. This lock has a simple, TSA-friendly design, and it comes in a number of bright colors to help them easily identify their luggage. It will give both of you peace of mind.
Trains, planes, and automobiles can take a toll on your student’s sleep and comfort. The Napfun Neck Pillow is the perfect antidote to cramped seats when they need a few extra z’s while traveling across land and sea. The Napfun pillow is crafted from 100% Memory Foam, and it provides both neck and chin support for maximum comfort, and it folds up conveniently in the included travel bag.
While a journal may not be essential per se, your student will absolutely treasure writing down all the special moments during their trip that they can look back on. The Moleskine Traveler’s Journal is a popular option because it includes prompts that will help even the least introspective students to take time for themselves and look back on their experiences. Plus, it has plenty of dedicated storage for their travel mementos.
When they live out of a backpack and experience new places, your student’s clothes are bound to get dirty fast. This smaller laundry bag makes it easy for them to separate their dirty clothes from their clean ones when they are traveling from city to city. It has a compact design but expands to hold almost a week’s worth of laundry. Plus, it is water- and tear-resistant, so it can handle heavy use for the entire trip.
A toiletry bag is an absolute necessity when it comes to traveling — alongside travel-sized items of certain hair and skincare products. We found two options for both the male and female students in your life that will maximize space and utility for them when traveling.
The BAGSMART Toiletry Bag unfolds so they can store as much skincare and makeup as their heart desires, even when working with limited luggage space. It can also be hung on a door so they can access everything easily. The WANDF Dopp Kit Toiletry Bag is water resistant and has a convenient carrying loop, all within a classic design.
For the skincare and makeup-loving student in your life, a makeup mirror is a must if they’re unsure what their bathroom or vanity situation will be on their travels. This lighted travel makeup mirror is the ideal solution for touching up their makeup on the way to class or the train to the next destination. It’s rechargeable, dimmable, and magnifies up to 10x — plus, it has a sleek design
Whether they are sharing a hostel bathroom or procrastinating on laundry day,a travel towel is something every study abroad student should be equipped with. This microfiber towel absorbs water and sweat quickly and comes with a reusable zipper bag. It measures 30 inches by 50 inches and should be large enough to cover everything.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi, I’m Hannah Fierick, and I am a commerce and freelance writer for multiple publications covering tech and education, as well as travel guides for hotel chains. I have extensive travel experience myself. While in my junior year of college, I studied in Prague, Czech Republic. I have been fortunate enough to travel to a myriad of countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Austria, the UK, Indonesia, Singapore, Italy, and more!
When researching study abroad travel essentials, I looked at trusted travel blogs, review publications, and reliable retailers, and I read through verified customer reviews. I also reflected on my own travel experience and the items that I could not live without on my own adventures. These are the must-haves they’ll need before hopping on a flight to their next destination.
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE) is offering qualified high school students a unique opportunity to explore the world by spending an academic year, semester or summer in Europe, Asia, North or South America, Australia or South Africa.
MINNEAPOLIS, November 4, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– A non-profit, public benefit organization, ASSE, is dedicated to promoting closer ties of friendship between the United States and other countries by fostering intercultural understanding through youth exchange programs.
High school students, 15 to 18 years old, qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references and a genuine desire to experience life abroad with a volunteer host family. Students choose their host country, and prior knowledge of the country’s language is not a requirement. Scholarships are available and are based on academic performance, leadership skills and financial need.
Families abroad are carefully screened, and students do not need to know the language of the host country prior to departure but will acquire the language skills through experiencing the day-to-day local culture and attending regular high school classes, along with their new teenage friends.
ASSE also provides the experience of a lifetime to American families who are interested in hosting an international student from Spain, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Thailand, Japan, and many other countries. These exceptional young students will attend the local American high school for an academic year or semester and participate in the host family’s daily activities.
Students or families interested in learning more about becoming an ASSE exchange student or host family should contact Saphia Lesch at 1-800-473-0696, visit www.asse.com or send an email to asseusamidwest@asse.com.
Source: ASSE International Student Exchange Programs
Middlebury is paying students $10,000 to take the semester off. Other schools are housing students in everything from trailers to rooms at a casino resort—or leaving them to fend for themselves.
Priscila Sepulveda is set to begin her junior year as a film major at the University of California, Berkeley on August 23rd—if she can just find somewhere to live. “Sleeping in my car and being homeless is probably my only option right now since familyhousing for Berkeley is out of reach for the fall,” says the 23-year-old, who lost her spot in the school’s housing queue for married students when she took last year off to live in San Diego, where her husband was stationed with the Marines. College administrators are telling her not to expect housing until October, at the earliest, she reports. Problem is, if she takes the semester off while waiting for housing, she’ll lose her place in line again. “I was excited to come back to school but now it just feels like school is only stressing me out,’’ she says.
As millions of college students happily move into their campus or off-campus digs, some of their peers still don’t know where they’ll be living during the fall semester. Being admitted to a university does not necessarily guarantee campus housing; schools typically plan to house just 25% to 35% of students on-campus with an emphasis on providing beds for freshmen and sophomores, says Daniel Bernstein, president and chief investment officer at Campus Apartments, the student housing development company led by billionaire David Adelman.
UC Berkeley junior Priscila Sepulveda worries she may have to sleep in her car when classes start on August 23rd.
Courtesy Priscila Sepulveda
So many juniors, seniors, transfer students and grad students have traditionally been expected to find housing off-campus, whether they wanted to or not. But this year’s housing scramble is being exacerbated by two trends that began to emerge last year.
First, off-campus rents have gone through the roof—nationally, they’re averaging $2,062 a month, up 28% from $1,614 at the start of 2021, according to rental data from Zillow. That raises both demand for on-campus housing and the difficulties students face when they can’t get it. Second, some colleges are seeing enrollment tick up after a pandemic-induced decline during which many students opted to take a year off or delay the start of their college educations.
That post-pandemic bump is part of the problem at Middlebury College, an elite liberal arts school in Vermont that requires all of its 2,800 or so undergraduates to live on campus, unless they get special permission. Because so many students took time off during the pandemic, Middlebury’s junior and senior classes are larger than normal. So earlier this month, administrators announced a $10,000 stipend for upperclassmen willing to take a voluntary leave of absence for the 2023-24 fall and winter terms. The school said it had considered converting other buildings at the historic campus to residential use, but found doing so quickly wasn’t practical, given the need, for example, to have fire sprinkler systems installed in housing.
So far, the college has received 63 applications for deferral, and about 40 students are expected to participate, reports AJ Place, associate dean of students for residential life at Middlebury. Along with the cash, students who choose to defer will receive preferred status for housing selection in the spring. Middlebury also chipped away at demand for on-campus housing this fall by offering a new study abroad program for freshmen that allows them to spend their first semester in Copenhagen, while retaining all their financial aid and taking such first year seminars as “The Cultural Psychology of Happiness.” Usually, students aren’t allowed to study abroad in their freshman year. Those doing the Copenhagen stint will receive a $500 per month food stipend and $1,500 to cover airfare—far more generous terms than Middlebury usually offers for study abroad.
Middlebury’s housing crunch is in part temporary. But some public universities, especially those in the south and southwest, are dealing with longer term enrollment surges—a function of regional population growth and more students wanting to attend their own state schools to avoid taking on excessive debt or to be nearer to family.
The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, which charges state residents $11,332 in undergraduate tuition a year, met excess housing demand last year by renting out a nearby Holiday Inn—students dubbed it the Voliday Inn, a play on the school’s Volunteers sports teams. But with class size, the percentage of students who want to live on campus and the time kids take to graduate all continuing to rise, the school has now made longer term arrangements. In May, UT announced it will build 2,500 new campus beds in a public-private deal. Meanwhile, it has signed a five-year contract with an apartment complex five miles from campus that will immediately add 192 beds (and later even more). The complex will be served by UT’s transit service, which runs every 20 minutes on weekdays and roughly every hour on weekends.
“It’s a stressful situation not to have anywhere to sleep when you’re trying to get your education, especially if it’s supposed to be such a prestigious school.”
A tad inconvenient? Maybe. But better than the connections being offered to the 23 students being housed at the Bear River Casino and Resort, 6.5 miles south of the College of the Redwoods, a public community college in Humboldt County, in the far north of coastal California. The hotel is providing them one shuttle bus to the campus at 8 a.m. and one home at 8 p.m., and only on Monday through Friday. The nearby California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt is sending nearly 100 students to the Comfort Inn hotel, about two and a half miles from campus. One consolation for the hotel exiles: A double room at the Comfort Inn costs $6,624 per year, while the cheapest on-campus double goes for $6,972.
Other schools have turned to temporary on-campus solutions, rather than local hotels or semesters in Copenhagen. Virginia State University, a historically Black institution which has seen a surge in enrollment over the last three years, is now setting up prefabricated modular buildings near its regular dorms to house 268 students in what it’s calling annex units. In announcing the plan, the school answered the question “Are the units the same as trailers?” this way: “The units are temporary and were pre-constructed before delivery. They will contain the same amenities as our traditional residence halls.” As to the rationale for relying on trailers, VSU President Makola M. Abdullah pointed to the “nationwide shortage of affordable off-campus housing” and the school’s commitment to provide opportunity to all students who want to attend. In a Facebook post this month, the school, located 24 miles south of Richmond, bragged that “every student who has submitted a VSU housing application will receive a housing assignment.”
Unlike VSU, California’s public colleges have made no commitment to housing all comers. With its chronic housing shortage and high rental prices, the state has a dramatic student housing crisis, with students sleeping in their cars and even on the streets. A 2020 report by University of California, Los Angeles researchers concluded that 1 in 5 of the state’s community college students, 1 in 10 California State University students and 1 in 20 students at the University of California campuses have experienced homelessness. Suzanne Wenzel, a professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work who has studied homelessness, observes that the housing crunch can lead to a cascade of problems for students. “Homelessness and housing instability when students can’t afford a stable and decent place to stay is also often paired with food insecurity and poor nutrition, which adds yet another layer of difficulty for a student,” Wenzel says. That stress, in turn, has an adverse effect on academic performance.
Even campus housing isn’t cheap in the California system. For in-state undergraduates, tuition at UC Berkeley, one of the nation’s top colleges, is a comparative bargain—$15,600 this coming year. But living on campus (including a meal plan), costs freshmen an additional $16,000 to $20,000 per year. The Berkeley family housing that film major Sepulveda is wait-listed for, runs $1,695 a month for a one bedroom, no food included. That’s cheap compared to private market housing in Berkeley, situated on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, which remains one of the most expensive housing markets in the country despite a recent fall in rent there. One-bedroom apartments now available in Berkeley are asking a median rent of $2,200 a month, 35% above the national median, according to Zillow.
In response to surging enrollment, Virginia State University decided to house 268 students in prefabricated modular units, also known as trailers.
VSU
Since California schools don’t provide backup plans for those wait-listed for university housing, students are often left scrambling to sublet and pleading on social media groups for a room. In a final attempt to secure housing, Sepulveda did just that, putting out feelers in a Facebook post within the UC Berkeley Off-Campus Housing group and indicating that she would leave whenever campus housing finally opens up for her. So far, no luck. “It’s a stressful situation not to have anywhere to sleep when you’re trying to get your education, especially if it’s supposed to be such a prestigious school,” Sepulveda says. Given “the immense amount of money that it costs to go into that school, you would think they would accommodate and find a ‘meanwhile’ situation.”
Megan Chung, an incoming master’s student at UCLA studying electrical and computer engineering, has been on the waitlist for graduate on-campus housing since the list was released in early July and has also resorted to Facebook pleading. “My place on the waitlist seemed realistic until my position stopped moving for the past two weeks,” says Chung, 22. She’s frustrated that the school didn’t notify her earlier that she wouldn’t get housing and is now looking at the last minute for someone to share an off-campus apartment, preferably within walking distance of campus. Getting her own place doesn’t seem realistic: Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Westwood neighborhood, where UCLA is located, is down, but still a pricey $2,895, according to Zumper.
In recent years, some affluent parents have bought off-campus apartments and houses for their kids. But that startegy is less appealing now that 30-year fixed mortgages are topping 7%, their highest level in more than 20 years.
In recent years, some affluent parents have turned to another method of securing shelter for their college-going kids. They’ve found it made financial sense to buy apartments or houses near campus for their progeny. Bradley Hilton, founder of Sonas Financial Planning in Atlanta, says that a few of his clients have taken this route, looking at it as a way to both avoid steep rents for their kids and to earn additional income from an investment property. “They all went for a multi-bedroom unit, whether it’s a condo or house,” Hilton says. That way, they can collect rent from other people’s kids, helping to subsidize the mortgage payments and sometimes even achieve positive monthly cash flow.
But with 30-year fixed mortgages now topping 7%, their highest level in more than 20 years, that strategy too is under pressure this year. Even for families who can afford it, high interest rates are “making that option a little less attractive,” says Ryan Galiotto, founder and lead planner at Etch Financial, in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area.
What about saving money by having your college kids live at home? “Most of the students that are graduating high school and going to college now, they spent most of their high school years in virtual classrooms because of Covid,” Galiotto observes. “What they’re saying is, ‘I spent most of my high school years in a virtual classroom. I really want this in-person experience now.’”
Student safety is the highest priority at A+ World Academy. The school is ready for the 2021-2022 school year and prepared to pivot as necessary in order to ensure safety is first and foremost.
Press Release –
updated: Nov 18, 2020
NEW YORK, November 18, 2020 (Newswire.com)
– At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, A+ World Academy implemented strict quarantine measures both on board the ship and off, protecting students and faculty from potential exposure from local populations. Food delivery, housing, and transportation were conducted under the most stringent safety standards, and leadership at A+ World Academy provided complete transparency amid the global crisis, earning praise from parents. The school even decided to cancel their 2020-2021 school year at sea due to safety concerns.
In an email to parents last spring, amid the most severe public health crisis the world has ever seen, the Head of School at A+ World Academy let parents know that, “Important measures are being taken to avoid exposure to COVID-19. We want to keep our school open until graduation and, in order to do that, we must take as many precautionary measures as we can to ensure that the student crew, teaching crew, and maritime crew are avoiding contamination. Because of this, we are implementing the same rules for maritime crew, teaching crew, and student crew and all will be under strict quarantine procedures.”
Measures included:
Cancellation of all shore leave
Private transportation by hired drivers for all staff and students
Rented Airbnb houses for proper distancing
Food delivered from the ship and cooked onsite
Travel restricted to the houses, ship, and immediate beach area
The message was well-received, as parents responded with messages of relief, thanks, support, and appreciation for the care and leadership with which the school was handling the pandemic — all of this happening when much of what is known about COVID-19 today was still completely unknown then.
A+ World Academy’s successes and accolades stem from its strict adherence to student safety. The school wants to assure parents that the school is more prepared than it’s ever been and is ready to adapt as needed in order to ensure the safety of its students and staff.
The Norwegian Sorlandet, a 93-year-old Norwegian tall ship and the world’s oldest operating fully-rigged tall ship, is home to the A+ World Academy boarding school. Students at the school get the opportunity to complete a year of high school sailing across the Atlantic for a unique blend of travel and experiential learning. In her 93-year history, the Sorlandet has cultivated a long tradition of educational endeavors. A+ World Academy is an accredited, AP Capstone approved and gap year program for students.
Former A+ World Academy students recount the experiences and education they received while traveling to 20 port cities around the globe.
Press Release –
updated: Oct 19, 2020
NEW YORK, October 19, 2020 (Newswire.com)
– A+ World Academy is among the most unique international boarding schools in the world, giving 60 11th- and 12th-grade students, as well as gap-year students, the opportunity to study abroad, taking Secondary and Advanced Placement courses in a fully accredited high school that travels the globe to 20 port cities on board the oldest fully rigged sailing ship still in operation in the world.
A number of students have recounted their experience, providing first-hand testimonials of their time on board the Norwegian Sorlandet:
“Here, I have faced challenges I never would have at home, such as juggling schoolwork and deck work, sailing at times I would otherwise be sleeping, and attempting to carry overloaded trays of food downstairs during a storm,” says Josh Rajan, former A+ World Academy student from Princeton, New Jersey. “Being placed in such tight quarters with others, I’ve learned not only to work with and respect people I otherwise would not get along with but also strived to embody the ‘ship, shipmate, self’ dogma, thinking of the community’s interest before my own. I’ve made great friends and lasting connections with people I never otherwise would have met, and am so grateful for this amazing experience.”
“This ship teaches us how to simultaneously be independent while being part of a whole, a quality that is very valuable in life,” says Matias Moreno, another former A+ World Academy student from Miami, Florida. “It is a tough challenge being here on Sorlandet, especially when we realized that we do not have much personal space and practically share everything we use, eat, and own. This ship teaches us how to simultaneously be independent while being part of a whole, a quality that is very valuable in life. The ability to study and learn efficiently while traveling across oceans to new places we dare to dream is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“Aside from all the amazing ports, my favorite, but also most challenging, part of the journey is sailing. Being away from society and living in our own bubble far from everything is very refreshing,” adds Gabby S., former A+ World Academy Student.
A+ World Academy’s program was designed to turn students into confident, independent and globally minded leaders through experiential learning. For any information, please contact the admissions team: https://www.aplusworldacademy.org/admission/admissions-team.
About A+ World Academy
The Norwegian Sorlandet, a 93-year-old Norwegian tall ship and the world’s oldest operating fully rigged tall ship, is home to the A+ World Academy boarding school. Students at the school get the opportunity to complete a year of high school sailing across the Atlantic for a unique blend of travel and experiential learning. In her 93-year history, the Sorlandet has cultivated a long tradition of educational endeavors. A+ World Academy is an accredited, AP Capstone approved and gap year program for students.
At A+ World Academy, students have the world outside their window, traveling the world and exploring places most will only read about.
Press Release –
updated: Sep 28, 2020
NEW YORK, September 28, 2020 (Newswire.com)
– A+ World Academy, the international boarding school operating onboard the tall ship S.S. Sorlandet, has announced its 2021-2022 voyage plan. Students will sail across the Atlantic, learning real-world skills in a non-traditional environment and engaging in the most culturally and historically relevant aspects of port cities across the world, all while following a rigorous academic program based on advanced placement (AP®) courses.
The 2021-2022 Voyage Plan includes*:
Kristiansand, Norway
Stavanger, Norway
St. Malo, France
Porto, Portugal
Cartagena, Spain
Corsica, France
Tangier, Morocco
Las Palmas, Spain
Mindelo, Cabo Verde
Georgetown, Guyana
Bequia, St.Vincent & Grenadines
St. Martin, France
San Juan, Puerto Rico
St. George, Bermuda
Horta, Azores
Dublin, Ireland
Kristiansand, Norway
*Sailing the world can be unpredictable; changes may occur due to weather or other circumstances that may result in changes to the itinerary.
Through excursions and field experiences, students will have their eyes and minds opened to things they’ve only ever imagined. Students will also receive recreational “shore leave” to explore each city with fellow students, providing a truly amazing way to discover people, places, cultures, and themselves while completing a year of high school. Skills like leadership, collaboration, time management, task prioritization, and critical thinking in an unfamiliar environment are an integral part of daily life, helping students to develop the skills necessary to become effective global leaders.
Safety is of utmost concern; routes are planned well in advance for optimal sailing conditions, academic interest, cultural diversity and safe exploration.
The Norwegian Sorlandet, a 93-year-old Norwegian tall ship and the world’s oldest operating fully-rigged tall ship, is home to the A+ World Academy boarding school. Students at the school get the opportunity to complete a year of high school or gap year sailing across the Atlantic for a unique blend of travel and experiential learning. In her 93-year history, the Sorlandet has cultivated a long tradition of educational endeavors. A+ World Academy is an accredited, AP Capstone-approved and gap year program for students.
A+ World Academy cancels its year at sea program for the 2020-2021 school year, offering enrollment opportunity to Leysin American School in Switzerland for 2020-2021 school year.
Press Release –
updated: Jul 13, 2020
NEW YORK, July 13, 2020 (Newswire.com)
– A+ World Academy, upon cancellation of its year at sea program for the 2020-2021 school year, has partnered with Leysin American School in Switzerland, to offer enrollment opportunities for those interested or already enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year. Safety concerns over COVID-19 led to A+ World Academy’s decision to cancel the year at sea, but wanting to still offer a unique opportunity for experiential learning, the school has partnered with Leysin American School located in the stunning Swiss Alps in one of the safest COVID-19 nations in Europe!
Students can enjoy an easy transition to Leysin American School; credit transfers still apply, and students can graduate with all credits. In addition to offering both an IB Diploma program and AP® curriculum, students can also enjoy a number of extracurricular activities including Alpine ski training, sports, arts, drama, and music in this one-of-a-kind learning experience.
Since 1961, Leysin American School (LAS) has delivered enriching, educational experiences to students from around the world, offering a U.S. High School Diploma, International Baccalaureate, and ESL programs. Students also have the opportunity to experience cultural travel and ski almost year-round. University counseling is provided and encouraged. Graduates have attended top universities in both the U.S. and around the world.
LAS classes begin August 31st. For special pricing on a one or two-year package deal through A+ World Academy, contact admissions at A+ World Academy at admissions@aplusworldacademy.org.
A+ World Academy’s year at sea will be back for the 2021-2022 school year.
About A+ World Academy
The Norwegian Sørlandet, a 93-year-old Norwegian tall ship and the world’s oldest operating fully-rigged tall ship, is home to the A+ World Academy boarding school. Students at the school get the opportunity to complete a year of high school while sailing across the Atlantic for a unique blend of travel and experiential learning. In her 93-year history, Sørlandet has cultivated a long tradition of educational endeavors. A+ World Academy is a fully accredited high school and AP® Capstone Diploma approved program.
Located in the stunning Swiss Alps, Leysin American School is an international boarding school that has been bringing enriching, educational experiences to students since 1961. From practical, engaging in-class academics to experiential learning on international cultural trips, we believe in bringing together students from around the world and providing them with an education that sparks their curiosity and encourages them to be the best global citizens they can be.
OAKLAND, Calif., June 18, 2019 (Newswire.com)
– Students with strong local language skills have more meaningful and impactful experiences during global health experiences. Those same students go on to be better healthcare providers and workers. As the ability to speak Spanish increasingly becomes an essential tool in the tool belt of any doctor, nurse, physician’s assistant, public health or community health worker, students are increasingly requesting the opportunity to develop strong Spanish-language skills during their global health education experiences.
In response to this need, Global Health education leader Child Family Health International is proud to announce a partnership with Canopy, a leading provider of online Medical Spanish courses. CFHI students will have special access to Canopy courses, better preparing them for their global health programs in Latin America and beyond.
“We’re excited to roll out this collaboration and offer CFHI programs to Canopy alumni while supporting global health program-seekers with quality Spanish language courses,” says CFHI’s Managing Director, Robin Young. “This partnership represents CFHI’s values in action, supporting students to deepen their commitment to intercultural and language skills.”
Canopy envisions a world without communication barriers in healthcare. Through their online medical Spanish course, Canopy works to improve the quality of care for Spanish‐speaking patients and to support the healthcare professionals who serve them. In recent years, Canopy has grown rapidly to support one-third of medical schools in the U.S. with their medical Spanish offering.
Through the establishment of this partnership, CFHI and Canopy will collaborate to empower aspiring healthcare practitioners to succeed in various global health education and immersion programs in Latin America. Canopy alumni can enroll in CFHI’s programs at a discount and with no application fees, and CFHI enrolled participants can access discounted Canopy courses.
Madeleine Golda, Cross-Cultural Training Director of EduBoston, and Executive Director of Bachson Academy, to Present at Toronto Event
Press Release –
updated: Nov 15, 2017
BOSTON, November 15, 2017 (Newswire.com)
– EduBostonis pleased to have been invited to participate in the Professional Development Conference for Homestay Managers in Toronto. For over a decade, EduBoston has been a placement service provider to thousands of International Students interested in receiving a high school education in the United States and knows first hand the importance of placing these students with nurturing and loving Host Families.
Recent studies support the growing trend of International Secondary Students studying in the United States. In fact, the study by the “iie Institute of International Education” in New York reflects that in 2016, there were 81,981 International Secondary Students who studied in the United States. This trend provides evidence that Host Families are needed more than ever, and professional organizations like EduBoston must continue to provide their knowledge and expertise to Host Families and professionals who manage Host Families to be able to stay in line with the growing trends.
The International Student homestay industry has to keep up with trends that affect students, including academics, cultural immersion, expectations, English proficiency challenges and so much more. Continual communication, guidance, and education help bridge the differences between North Americans and students from other cultures. I really appreciate being invited to Doug Ronsom’s conference and look forward to collaborating with him further.
Madeleine Golda, Director of Cross-Cultural Training
The Professional Development Conference for Homestay Managers in Toronto,Ontario, Canada, takes place on Nov. 16-17, gathering professionals in the International Student industry focused on topics in relation to Homestay and Host Family Management for the international students in North America. Panels and sessions invite educators and host management professionals to participate over the two-day conference reviewing topics that discuss the demand for host families as the trend of students studying abroad increases.
Informative topics include:
Recruiting Great Host Families in Competition with Other Programs and Airbnb by Doug Ronson, ESQ Educational Services
Cross-Cultural Communication for Homestay Programs – Ms. Madeleine Golda, EduBoston
Preventing Homestay Coordinator Burnout – Jennifer Wilson, Canada Homestay Network
Mental Health; Changing Marijuana Laws and Concerns about Substance Abuse – Dr. Abby Goldstein, University of Toronto
And many other sessions. A full schedule can be downloaded at homestayguide.com.
The series of conferences that take place throughout North America is organized by visionary Doug Ronson, CEO of ESQ Educational Services. ESQ’s mission is to enhance the international education experience for students, hosts and homestay coordinators. Being in the homestay industry for more than 20 years, having been a Host Parent and homestay coordinator, Ronson knows first-hand the benefits as well as the trials and tribulations of hosting and the homestay industry. He has published many manuals and guidebooks for hosts and students and for the past two years has been organizing professional development workshops for homestay managers and professionals in the international student industry. Ronson states, “We are delighted to have Madeleine Golda speak at the conference. The homestay managers in attendance will benefit from her expert knowledge and vast experience.”
Ms. Madeleine Golda, Cross-Cultural Training director of EduBoston, and executive director of Bachson Academy, states, “The international student homestay industry has to keep up with trends that affect students, including academics, cultural immersion, expectations, English proficiency challenges and so much more.” Golda continues, “Continual communication, guidance and education help bridge the differences between North Americans and students from other cultures. I really appreciate being invited to Doug’s conference and look forward to collaborating with him further.”
About EduBoston Established in 1998, EduBoston is an industry-leading International Education consulting firm based in Boston, Massachusetts. Through the work of highly trained, dedicated local staff and CSIET-certified Host Family program, EduBoston ensures students are positioned to succeed both academically and socially. www.EduBoston.com
About Bachson Academy: Provide International Students and immigrants with effective and engaging English as a Second Language instruction, orientation to U.S. culture and the U.S. education system and improved learning skills, using methods which embrace learners’ diverse backgrounds and goals and promote intercultural understanding, service to others, reflection on experience and individual achievement. www.BachsonAcademy.com
Ms. Madeleine Golda serves as its executive director and recently was nominated and elected to the board of directors of CSIET-The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel. www.csiet.org
Media Contact: Christina Andrianopoulos, Senior Marketing Officer, EduBoston, 857.498.1203, Christina@EduBoston.com
