site.bta17th World Education Fair Opens in Zagreb

The 17th World Education Fair opened in Zagreb on Saturday, bringing together nearly 50 educational institutions from 16 countries. The American University in Bulgaria is participating for the first time.

Visitors to the fair have the opportunity to speak with representatives of universities, high schools and educational institutions from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, the United States, Finland, France, Croatia and Switzerland, among others.

The global education market is undergoing significant transformation, and students are increasingly assessing factors such as tuition costs, the reputation of institutions, the safety of the destination country and long-term employability prospects. While a university’s reputation remains important, organizers note that it is no longer the sole deciding factor. The combination of safety, opportunities to work during studies and overall costs is becoming increasingly decisive.

Financial affordability and the return on investment in education are now central concerns for families planning to send their children abroad to study, the organizers say. For example, the University of Southern Denmark offers free tuition for EU students along with opportunities to work during their studies, while the University of Trieste applies the ISEE model, which adjusts tuition based on a family’s economic status. Scholarship programmes offered by the private Webster Vienna Private University also help make private education more accessible to students from Southeast Europe.

Universities of applied sciences are also becoming increasingly popular. The structured orientation they provide helps future students avoid later changes in their field of study, reduces uncertainty and establishes a solid basis for career decisions through professional internships integrated into study programmes.

A survey by the European Commission shows that 78% of students who graduate from programmes with integrated internships find employment within six months, compared with 62% among graduates of natural sciences programmes without mandatory internships.

Institutions presenting at the World Education Fair in Zagreb include the The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences and VIVES University of Applied Sciences, known for their strong ties with industry and clearly structured career pathways.

In addition to university programmes, visitors can learn more about language camps, summer schools and private high schools abroad. Among the participants is the British organization Dusemond Study Programmes, which is well known in Bulgaria for its specialized camps and programmes for students and adults. The Danube International School, a leading International Baccalaureate school in Vienna, is also presenting its programmes.

Exchange programmes, particularly in the United States but also in Spain, Ireland and the Nordic countries, allow students to spend a semester or academic year abroad while living with host families and attending local high schools.

In addition to learning about educational institutions, visitors will be able to attend a series of panels dedicated to strategic enrolment planning, the role of parents in the decision-making process and master’s programmes as the next step in academic development. Participants will also receive practical advice on preparing applications, writing essays and planning finances and careers.

The fair is once again organized by IntegralEdu, an international education consultancy that has operated in Croatia since 2015 and has sixteen offices, including in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovenia, Romania, Serbia and Albania.

The stand of the Bulgarian participants was visited by Bulgarian Ambassador to Croatia Iva Kruleva.