The Leading Event for Counsellor’s Career Development & Networking

Why attend the Global International Schools Forum & Workshop?

Simply put, there is no other international event that offers so many benefits for its school counsellors.

We recognise the crucial work counsellors do in advising students, and the need for you to continuously build upon your knowledge, skill set and global network. That’s why this event has been specifically designed to aid your understanding of international admissions practices and make the right kind of contacts around the world.

 

Benefits of participation

 The event is by invitation only and specifically for high school counsellors who can apply if sent an invitation in July and August 2025. All approved participants will have the following benefits:
•    Free return air ticket to/from Lisbon via your closest major international airport.
•    Free Deluxe hotel on a twin-shared basis from 10 to 16th May 2026 or from 10th to 20th May -  depending on which university visits you are included in. You can also opt to pay a supplement to have your own room.
•    Welcome Dinner, and Networking Cocktail & Gala Dinner as part of the Global Counsellor Awards ceremony.
•    Buffet breakfast, coffee breaks and Gourmet Lunch on Monday, 11 May, Tuesday, 12 May and Wednesday 13 May.
•    Counsellor-only dinners on some nights.
•    Participation in expert-level THE CAP Level 2 personal development sessions.
•    26 pre-scheduled individual meetings with international education institutions.
•    Between 2 and 5 days of visits to universities in Portugal.
•    Full-colour profile of your school in the Official Event Handbook given to all international universities.
•    Option to arrive early or stay later in Portugal (at your own cost).
•    Official BMI & THE Participation Certificate.

Accommodation
Counsellors will receive free deluxe hotel accommodation on a shared twin-room basis, between Sunday 10th to 16th May 2026 or 10th to 20th May at Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel and other hotels in Portugal. 

Early registration is recommended, and we will confirm your room accommodation as soon as possible. Occasionally, two counsellors from the same school are approved to participate and, in this case, the second counsellor would be responsible for their own flight and a participation fee

Global Counsellor Awards Cocktail Reception and Dinner
The Awards are a celebration of the Global counselling community and outstanding counsellors and will take place on the evening of Monday, 11 May 2026. This is the perfect opportunity to meet participating counsellors and international education institutions in a relaxed environment.

In just six days, you will:
•    Meet experienced representatives from International Universities who have flown into Portugal by BMI/THE specifically for this event, as well as fellow counsellors from across the globe.
•    Receive the latest updates on undergraduate admissions criteria and application procedures to International Universities.
•    Participate in a series of world-class professional development sessions as part of the Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Programme (THE CAP).
•    Visit a wide range of education institutions from Portugal.

The Global International Schools Forum & Workshop is therefore a must-attend event for gathering new insights on international education, enhancing the way you support students applying overseas, and staying up-to-date on undergraduate admissions.
 

Provisional Schedule

Sunday, 10 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
15:00	Arrival to Portugal / Check in at the hotel
​17:15 - 18:00	Registration (Collect Badges & Event Handbook) for Counsellors
18:00 -19:45	WELCOME & THE CAP SESSIONS
19:45 - 21:30	​Counsellors Welcome Reception and Dinner

Monday, 11 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
08:00 - 08:20	Welcome/First timers session
​08:30 - 10:30	​Private meetings (5 x 20 minutes each)
10:30 - 10:45	​Refreshment Break
​10:45 - 12:20	​Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
12:20 - 13:35	Networking Lunch
13:35 - 15:10	​Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
15:10 - 15:25	​Refreshment Break
15:25 - 16:05	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose 1
16:15 - 16:55	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose​​ 2
18:00 - 22:15	Global Counsellors Awards Cocktail Reception and Dinner

Tuesday, 12 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:10 - 09:50	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose​​ 3
10:00 - 11:35	​Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
11:35 - 11:50	​Refreshment Break
11:50 - 13:00	​Private meetings (3 x 20 minutes each)
13:00 - 14:15	​Networking Lunch
14:15 - 15:50	Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
15:50 - 16:05	Refreshment Break
16:05 - 16:50	Private meetings (2 x 20 minutes each)
17:00 - 17:40	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose 4
17:50 - 18:10	Sponsor Session
​18:30 - 20:15	​​​​Hosted ​counsellors only dinner

Wednesday, 13 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00 - 21:00	Full day of THE CAP Sessions Including Dinner

Thursday, 14 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00 - 21:00	Full day of University visits including Dinner

Friday, 15 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00 - 21:00	Full day of University visits

Monday to Wednesday, 18 - 20 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00 - 21:00	Additional University visits for selected counsellors

*This schedule is subject to change

Counsellor Expenses
Counsellors are responsible for all expenses not included in the workshop program such as:

•    Transfers to/from Airports in home city and Lisbon;
•    Meals which are not part of the event program;
•    Personal or additional expenses that are not part of the workshop program;
•    Fees for changing flights & any fare difference if you choose to arrive/leave on different dates to/from Lisbon than the normal event days;
•    Any costs in relation to obtaining a Visa to travel to Portugal.

Counsellors are also responsible for ensuring they have adequate travel and medical cover for the duration of their trip.

Counsellor Expenses Participation Commitment & Cancellation
Counsellors who have been approved to participate in this event have the following obligations:

•    Respond to BMI/THE requests in a timely manner.
•    Participate in all THE CAP sessions over the 7 days.
•    Pre-arrange your schedule of meetings in our online meeting portal prior to arrival in London – BMI/THE reserve the right to schedule meetings for you if this is not completed.
•    Pay any charges for fees for services or flight changes in a timely manner. Please note most flights are non-changeable and non-cancellable
•    If you cancel 45 days before the event – for any reason, after the flight ticket has been issued – you would be responsible for the cost of the flight ticket.
•    If you cancel 30 days before the event – for any reason, after the flight ticket has been issued –  you would be responsible for the cost of the flight ticket and 1,000 Euros (to cover cost of hotels, meals and other expenses incurred by BMI/THE).