US education advisory centre opens in Tonga [1]
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 17:47. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Copyright © www.matangitonga.to [2]
AN Education USA Advising Centre was opened at the Tupou Tertiary Institute in Nuku'alofa last week providing resources for Tongans who are interested in pursuing a higher education in over 4000 universities or colleges in the United States.
The centre housed together with American Corner at the institute on lavinia Road, FAsi mo e Afi, is funded by the US Embassy, Fiji, to advise prospective international students on a full range of academic opportunities in the US.
Tongans can apply through the centre to study for their associates (diploma), bachelor, master or doctorate degree with over 10,000 programs to choose from.
The education centre has resources for researching colleges and universities, financial aid, scholarships, filling out applications and help with applying and filling out forms for a student visa online.
Education USA advising centres are supported by the US Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs Information Resource Branch and has over 400 centres worldwide.
Meanwhile, the American Corner, which was officially opened in March earlier this year, provides resources on American culture, history through book, popular magazines and the internet.
Both resource centres was opened to the public on August 28 and by staff at the institute.
US Visas
In the meantime the US Laptop Non Immigrant Visa Pilot Program that allows Tongans to apply for some US visas in Tonga and launched in Nuku'alofa in March this year, remains ongoing.
Tonga's Foreign Affairs office in Nuku'alofa confirmed that a team from the US Embassy in Suva travels down to Tonga every three months and some visas had been issued to Tongan applicants.
Another visit is scheduled, this month, September.
There are only certain visas that can be applied through this pilot program in Tonga and that includes those who had already been issued a visa to travel to the United States in the past.
It is understood that first time applicants would have to travel to Suva to apply for a US visa. Copyright © www.matangitonga.to [2]