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CIS Colombia Tour
29 March - 8 April 2017
Panama City, Panama
Cali, Colombia
Manizales, Colombia,
Bogota, Colombia
Barranquilla, Colombia
Medellin, Colombia
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ABOUT THE TOUR
This is the 13th iteration of the CIS Colombia Tour. The tour (initially entitled the Colombia
Counselors’ Invitational), continues in a strong tradition of connecting well-prepared
Colombian students with excellent university opportunities. The 2017 Colombia Tour will be
adding Panama City (a dollar economy and strong market for international education
and study abroad). We will also be returning to the coffee region in Manizales
and of course including our primary markets of Cali, Bogota, Barranquilla
and Medellin. The tour consists of:
-School visits and fairs
QUICK FACTS
FROM 2016 TOUR
14 Schools Visited
1,545 Students Seen
1 Service Project
-Student and parent presentations during the school visits
-Connecting with Education USA advisors and independent
advisors in the region
-Service Project: our participants will have a unique opportunity to
volunteer their time as we returning to a project that we have been
serving for the past three years.
What makes CIS Tours unique?
CIS tours have stood the test of time. CIS is a non-profit that has been sponsoring
recruitment tours for nearly 40 years. Our tour leaders are all experienced admissions
counselors working at CIS member institutions. They understand your needs and goals.
The CIS Latin America Committee is a group of experienced admission professionals who
volunteer their time to plan and direct recruitment tours in the Latin American region.
CIS Tours focus entirely on undergraduate recruitment. Tour events only include invited
students from high quality CIS Member schools and outstanding national schools with
student populations preparing to study abroad.
CIS tours offer inclusive pricing which covers all logistics and events. There are no surprise
bills at the end of the tour.
CIS tours are truly educational. During the tour, participants
“The
conduct in-depth workshops to help students, parents,
tour
provided
an
counselors, and teachers learn more about various
opportunity to learn more
admission related topics. Daily interactions with
admissions professionals from other CIS member
about the culture in Colombia.
institutions allow you to learn from the experiences
I now have more knowledge and
of others, share ideas, and build your network.
understanding of the country and
culture which will help when talking to
both applicants and enrolled students
from Colombia. I can now engage with
students on a more personal level.”
-Timothy Cushing, Wheaton College
MEET THE TOUR DIRECTORS
TOUR DIRECTOR
Marcela Mejia Martinez
Director Undergraduate Admission
Chapman University
Tel: +1 714-997-6711
Email: [email protected]
Marcela became Director of Undergraduate Admission
in 2008 at Chapman University in Orange, CA. She is a
member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and
has lead tours in Latin America for universities. Prior to
her role as Director, for ten years, she coordinated transfer
admission as Associate Director. Prior to CU, she worked as an
admission and financial aid counselor at her alma mater, Loyola
Marymount University. She is a member of International ACAC, WACAC, and NACAC and
has presented at each of these organizations’ conferences as well as at CIS conferences.
She has been recognized by WACAC twice for service to the organization and to students.
This will be her second time leading universities through Colombia, the country where her
family is from.
ASSISTANT TOUR DIRECTOR
Ed Bustos
Director of International Admission
Rollins College
Tel: +1 407.646.2321
Email: [email protected]
Ed Bustos is the Director of International Admission
at Rollins College located in Winter Park, Florida. He
is a member of the Council of International Schools
(CIS) and is currently Chair of the CIS Latin America
committee and has lead tours in Latin America for
universities. He is a member of International ACAC,
NAFSA and NACAC and has presented at both
International ACAC and CIS conferences. He received
a bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean
affairs and a master’s in business administration, both from
Rollins College. He currently sits on the Board of Take Stock for
Children and previously been recognized twice as one of the most
influential Hispanics in Central Florida. Mr. Bustos was born in New York,
lived in his parents’ native Colombia for five years before moving to Central Florida in 1986.
TRAVEL SUPPORT
Maria Clara Gutierrez
Tour Manager
Email: [email protected]
Founder and Owner of Metas Claras, Independent Counseling and Consulting service since
2006. Has had 27 years in school counselling in Colombia. Has been the CIS Colombia Tour
Manager for the last 11 years.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
WED
29 Mar
Panama City,
Panama
Individual arrivals. Orientation Meeting. Opening
Dinner. Overnight in Panama.
THU
30 Mar
Panama City,
Panama
School visit/Fair in Panama. Flight to Cali,
Colombia. Overnight in Cali.
FRI
31 Mar
Cali, Colombia
Visits/Fairs. Overnight in Cali.
SAT
01 Apr
Manizales,
Colombia
Bus to Manizales. Overnight in Manizales.
SUN
02 Apr
Manizales,
Colombia
Institutional Time. Overnight in Manizales.
MON
03 Apr
Manizales,
Colombia
School Visits/Fairs in Manizales. Flight to Bogota.
Overnight in Bogota.
TUE
04 Apr
Bogota,
Colombia
School Visits/Fairs in Bogota. Service Project.
Overnight in Bogota.
WED
05 Apr
Barranquilla,
Colombia
Flight to Barranquilla. School visits/fairs in
Barranquilla. Return flight to Bogota. Overnight in
Bogota.
THU
06 Apr
Bogota,
Colombia
School visits/fairs in Bogota. Flight to Medellin,
Colombia. Overnight in Medellin.
FRI
07 Apr
Medellin,
Colombia
School visits/fair in Medellin. Closing dinner and
tour review. Overnight in Medellin.
SAT
08 Apr
Medellin,
Colombia
Individual departures.
TRAVEL DETAILS
DESTINATIONS
Panama City, (PANAMA)
Cali, Manziales, Bogota
Barranquilla, Medellin
(COLOMBIA)
TRANSPORTATION
Included from airport to
the hotel and vice versa
(except for initial arrival
in Panama and final
departure from Medellin),
by private motor coach.
All group transfers for
school visits and college
fairs are included.
ACCOMODATIONS
Ten (10) nights at first
class hotels, single rooms,
taxes, breakfast and
internet included
TRANSFERS
Included from airport to
the hotel and vice versa,
by private motor coach.
All group transfers for
school visits and college
fairs are included.
ORIENTATION/
DEBRIEFING
Orientation meeting in
Panama City and
debriefing in Medellin.
MEALS
Daily breakfast. Opening
dinner in Panama City
and closing dinner in
Medellin.
GRATUITIES & TAXES
All gratuities and taxes
in connection with the
details listed here are
included. Airport and
hotel porters, drivers
and guides gratuities
are all included. Airport
departure taxes are also
included.
PASSPORTS/VISAS
There is no visa required
for U.S. and many
other nationalities for
Colombia and Panama,
however travelers are
strongly encouraged to
consult with their travel
provider or their State
Department/Ministry
of Foreign Affairs for
the most up to date
information
TOUR GUIDANCE &
MANAGEMENT
The tour director and
assistant tour director are
experienced admissions
professionals who will
manage leading this
tour. Our Tour Manager,
Maria Clara Gutierez
has been coordinating
all aspects of the tour
since its inception and
will be traveling with us
throughout the tour.
PRE-TRIP MATERIALS
Appropriate tour
information and pretrip literature will be
provided to all tour
participants. TOUR MATERIALS
Luggage identifiers
and a tour booklet
will be provided for all
participants
TRAVEL INSURANCE
A group coverage
policy is included for all
participants.
MISCELLANEOUS
Information on schools
to be visited on the tour
and cultural background
information on the
countries to be visited will
be provided in advance.
A CIS brochure with
information about each
participating institution
will be provided to each
school to share with
prospective students and
school counselors.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
•
CIS tours are available to CIS Higher Education member institutions only.
•
Participants must be full-time, permanent international admission officers of the
member institution.
•
Participants must have at least two years of full-time professional admissions
experience.
•
Participants must adhere to the Council of International Schools Code of Ethics and the
Guiding Principles for Higher Education Members.
•
Participants must take part in the entire tour itinerary; deviations from the tour itinerary
are not permitted.
•
An institution may not send more than one representative.
•
Additional travelers may not accompany the tour participant at any time on the tour.
•
Participants must be prepared to make general presentations on the university
admissions process and be familiar with the admission and financial aid policies of their
own institutions and the concerns of international students.
•
Any substitution in the person traveling must be reviewed and approved by CIS at least
45 days prior to the start of the tour. The new participant must submit a completed
application and is required meet all of the conditions for participation. Once approved,
substitute travelers will pay a USD 1,000 change fee plus any additional tour expenses.
•
Due to space restrictions, floor displays at school visits are prohibited. Promotional
giveaways are also not permitted. Participants must remain behind their tables when
interacting with attendees.
•
The Council of International Schools (CIS) frequently photographs and/or videotapes
and records its events and meetings. By attending this event you consent to being
recorded and/or photographed, and authorise CIS to use any video, recording and/or
photographs in any medium (web, digital, print, broadcast) throughout the world at
CIS’s sole and exclusive discretion.
COST OF PARTICIPATION PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE
USD 5,5005 January 2017
PAYMENT & REGISTRATION
• 5 January 2017 - Tour application with USD 1,000 deposit (excl. VAT) is due to CIS.
Participants must meet the conditions for participation and application deadlines in
order to be considered.
• 19 January 2017 - Balance of USD 4,500 is due to CIS. There is a late fee of 5% assessed
after January 19.
• Tour price is subject to change due to: revaluation of the U.S. dollar, fuel surcharges,
government taxes, airport departure taxes, reciprocity taxes, entry visa fees, itinerary
changes (before and during the tour) and all other items not in the control of the
Council of International Schools.
CANCELLATION/PENALTIES
CIS will only accept written cancellations. Fees will be assessed for cancellations in the
following manner:
•
•
Cancellations prior to 5 January: 100% of the tour balance is refundable, including the
USD 1,000 tour deposit.
Cancellations between January 6 and January 19: 50% of the tour balance is
refundable, less the USD 1,000 tour deposit and any unrecoverable tour expenses. No
refund will be made if cancellation is received after January 19.
CONTACT THE TEAM
CIS Higher Education Services
[email protected]
www.cois.org
Shaping the future
of international education