Episode 97: Gap Years

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, curriculum choice, linguistic region, and campus visits. Tom dispels cost myths, explaining that many institutions match UK boarding rates, and that overall expenses are offset by affordable, world-class Swiss public universities. In addition to discussing academic bridge programmes for non-native English speakers, the conversation highlights prestigious options like ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the University of St. Gallen. Graduates, including non-EU nationals, benefit from post-study visas and simplified pathways into Switzerland’s lucrative workforce. Visit swiss-school-consulting.com to learn more. 

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 higher education, empowering diverse learners, and shifting the dynamic from "managing" a student to "mentoring" them. Resources & Links Mentioned:Mansfield Hall: https://mansfieldhall.org Tanglio App: https://tanglio.com (Digital tool supporting executive functioning skills) Canopy College Coaching: Online academic & executive coaching Books by Dr. Perry: Taking Flight and his upcoming book with Jessica Kingsley Publishing 

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 CoveredBeyond the Bedroom: Why finding the right accommodation is about emotional support, security, and cultural immersion—not just having a place to sleep.The Post-Pandemic Housing Shift: How changing student expectations, safety concerns, and affordability are redefining housing choices for international families.Navigating Big-City Living: The reality of studying in major hubs like London, including commuting, using public transit, and stepping outside international "bubbles".Vetting & Safeguarding: The extensive background checks, host screening, and 24/7 wrap-around support needed to ensure a safe environment for students.Advice for First-Time Students: Managing culture shock, setting realistic expectations, and building independence while staying connected to a support system.Featured GuestHarsha Brown – Director of Hosts International, a British Council–registered accommodation provider specializing in homestays for international students.Resources MentionedWebsite: Hosts International

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 1,300 schools across 130+ countries. They discuss how Unifrog’s founding ethos, putting students first and maintaining impartiality, continues to drive its mission as a B Corp and family-owned business. From "Hello Kitty" tuk-tuks in Bangkok to overnight buses across Europe, Nick shares funny behind-the-scenes stories from Unifrog's growth, while highlighting how collaboration with counsellors, school networks, and organisations like International ACAC helps shape the platform's tools for university and career exploration worldwide.In this episode, we cover:The growth and global reach of Unifrog over the past decade.How Unifrog’s B Corp structure and student-first philosophy underpin its development.Country-specific search tools and features built for international counsellors and students.The power of macro data in helping schools plan future university pathways.Fun anecdotes from Nick's 11 years travelling the world supporting international counsellors.Get in Touch:Website: www.unifrog.orgEmail Nick Weir directly: [email protected]

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 turned the question on ourselves - the TUG team, school-side and university-side, on why we cross the desk to do this work. Featuring voices from Down House, St Helen & St Katharine, Roedean, Rollins, SCAD, IE Madrid, and the team behind The University Guys.Subscribe, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and here's to the next 100.

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 (including over a decade in Korea), to demystify what it actually takes to get into a Korean university.In This Episode, We Cover:The "SKY" Universities & Beyond: Why Seoul National, Korea University, and Yonsei are the "Ivory League" of Korea, and why KAIST is a powerhouse for STEM.The Three Admission Tracks: Understanding the difference between the Pure International track, the Overseas Korean track, and the hyper-competitive Domestic track.The "Study Plan": Why you need more than just a personal statement—and why Korean universities want a 1–3 page roadmap of your future career.Logistics & Red Tape: Why the "Apostille" process and strict two-week application windows mean you cannot treat Korea as a "backup plan."Hidden Gems: Exploring women's universities (Ewha) and international branch campuses like Ghent, Utah, and George Mason in Songdo.Key Takeaways for Counsellors:Start Early: Students should begin planning in 9th or 10th grade to ensure their subject choices align with rigorous Korean faculty requirements.Nationality Matters: If a student or parent holds a Korean passport, they are almost always funnelled into the more competitive domestic or overseas Korean tracks.ROI & Safety: Why the combination of low tuition, high safety, and worldwide degree recognition is driving the current surge in interest.Resources Mentioned in the Episode:Study in Korea: The official government-run portal for international students.KCUE (Adiga): The Korean Council for University Education (use Google Chrome for translation).University Admission Pages: Justin recommends downloading the specific "Application Guide PDF" from each university’s site at least a year in advance.Connect with The University Guys:Website: The University GuysLinkedIn: Connect with David HawkinsSocials: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more global higher education insights!Enjoyed the show? Please subscribe and leave us a review!

 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, and an unbeatable lifestyle. From the complexities of the Selectividad entrance exams to the cultural importance of learning Spanish even in English-led courses, Oliver provides a roadmap for families navigating the Spanish higher education landscape. 

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