In the heart of Vietnam’s vibrant capital, two exceptional university guidance counsellors in Hanoi are transforming the futures of young students and their families.

International career experts from Nord Anglia Education Joe Mckinney and Colleen Usher are dedicated to helping students in Vietnam be their best and reach their full potential.

“Our goal is to provide personalised support and one-on-one counselling to assist students in exploring their future options after school,” Joe said.  

As a world-class university guidance counsellor at the British International School Hanoi (BIS Hanoi), Joe leads a comprehensive University Guidance Programme, focusing on helping students find their passion and secure an invitation to first-choice universities worldwide. 

The programme utilises the 4S’s framework – Study, Stay, Social, and Safe – supporting students to prepare for university by making informed decisions about their academic journeys, housing, social life, and safety. 

Starting from Year 7 at BIS Hanoi, the curriculum is designed to help students discover their interests and explore complementary career paths.  

“We host workshops for both students and their families, provide resources and share university application tips, including essay writing, interview preparation, and scholarship applications,” Joe said.

The school’s collaborations with local and international institutions, including the University of Cambridge Judge Business School Winter Programme and The Harvard Model Congress Summer Programme, have further enhanced students’ academic profiles: “These outstanding partnerships provide our students with unparalleled opportunities to enhance their university applications around the world and prepare for future success,” Joe said. 

As a result, the offers at BIS Hanoi only continue to rise. University placements in the United Kingdom have increased from 33% to 68% at the school, while offers to American universities have risen from 17-21%. 

Meanwhile, downtown at the British Vietnamese International School Hanoi (BVIS Hanoi) students are thriving with career specialists to help them navigate through their choices and apply to the university that’s perfect for their endeavours. Not only does each senior student have the expertise from a dedicated university guidance counsellor, they can also access a tailored qualification – the BVIS Hanoi High School Diploma – that includes transformative community service and extracurricular experiences. 

“Our full-time university guidance counsellor in Hanoi combined with the BVIS High School Diploma has provided students with formal recognition for their extracurricular and community service work,” said Colleen. “This recognition is crucial as they prepare for university applications, particularly for Korean students applying to South Korean universities. The diploma also aligns with BVIS’s core values of Caring, Respect, Perseverance, Integrity, Enquiry, and Reflection, encouraging students to engage more deeply in their communities and extracurricular activities.” 

Through the BVIS High School Diploma, students are encouraged to take ownership of their extracurricular activities to both enhance their university applications, and also build their confidence and drive to pursue similar activities in the future. 

“While BVIS Hanoi’s British-based qualification – A-Levels – do not require extracurricular involvement, the BVIS High School Diploma mandates it, setting students apart globally.”

The collective efforts of Joe Mckinney and Colleen Usher demonstrate the profound impact university guidance counsellors have on students’ journeys. The commitment to personalised support, comprehensive guidance programs, and fostering community and extracurricular involvement highlights the vital role these counsellors play in helping students achieve their academic and career aspirations.  

“Our ultimate goal is to empower students to dream big and make meaningful contributions to their country and the world,” said Joe.