How do you choose a university when you’re still discovering who you want to become?
Choosing what comes after school is about more than selecting a degree or a university. It means understanding your strengths, exploring your interests and finding an environment where you can grow, thrive and realise your potential.
At Acorn International School in Rome, this journey begins long before students submit their university applications. By regularly connecting students with a diverse range of academic institutions throughout their school years, Acorn helps them explore new opportunities, broaden their horizons and discover the pathways that best reflect their individual talents and ambitions.
On 2 October 2026, Acorn welcomed representatives from more than 50 universities and higher education institutions to its Vejo Park Campus for its annual University Fair. The event brought together Acorn’s Senior Scholars and their families, alongside students from Smiling International School, for a day dedicated to exploring future academic opportunities.
Exploring Possibilities, Discovering Potential
From New York University and the University of Exeter to LUISS Guido Carli University, Politecnico di Milano, the University of Hong Kong, ESCP and EHL, the fair brought together institutions from the UK, the US, Europe and Asia.
Representatives showcased academic pathways across a wide range of disciplines, including business, engineering, design, technology and the social sciences. This gave students the opportunity to explore different fields of study, learn about individual institutions and consider the possibilities available to them after secondary school.
Meeting university representatives in person allows students to look beyond rankings and course descriptions. They can ask questions, compare different approaches to higher education and begin to picture themselves in new academic environments. For those still weighing up their options, these conversations can introduce possibilities they may not have previously considered.
Finding the Right Fit for Every Student
There is no single university experience that suits everyone. Each student has different interests, strengths and ambitions, as well as their own idea of what makes an environment the right place to learn and grow.
This is why regular engagement with different academic institutions matters. Rather than treating university selection as a decision to be made only at the end of school, Acorn gives students opportunities to explore their options over time, reflect on what they discover and develop a clearer understanding of what makes them unique.
The aim is to help every student find the academic environment in which their talents can truly flourish. By encouraging curiosity, independent thinking and informed decision-making, Acorn supports students in building a future that reflects their individual potential.
Preparing for What Comes Next
An international outlook is essential when exploring higher education opportunities across different countries, cultures and educational systems. By bringing universities from around the world directly to its campus, Acorn creates opportunities for students and families to discover new perspectives, ask questions and consider different possibilities for life beyond school.
The annual University Fair reflects Acorn’s ongoing commitment to helping students approach their next steps with confidence, curiosity and a better understanding of their own aspirations.
Acorn International School extends its sincere thanks to all participating universities for sharing their expertise and guidance, to families for their continued partnership, and to students for the enthusiasm and maturity they brought to the day.
Because preparing for the future is about more than choosing where to study. It is about discovering where you can grow, thrive and become the person you aspire to be.
