Studying abroad is one of the best ways to build your resume and stay ahead of the job market, particularly as a woman in this country, where unemployment is already a significant issue. As such, many girlies are looking for the opportunity to travel and study abroad, which has luckily become easier as many universities in European countries, particularly Australia, have partners with International Agents online to ease the process for applicants.
Unfortunately, in the true Kenyan design, this has resulted in the rise of multiple rogue agents who are out to scam you out of both your dream and your money.
Here are 5 easy things to check to avoid being scammed and secure your academic future, inspired by thingsdeesays through her Instagram.
Check the University’s Website
The very first step to vet an agent is to look it up on the university website you wish to apply to. Australian universities always list their partnered agents online. Visit the official website of your institution of choice and look up the name of the agent. If they are listed, they are trustworthy. However, if they are not listed, there is a high probability that they are illegitimate and only trying to scam you. However, there are instances where the university might be working with a new agent and possibly has not updated its website. This is where it is necessary to take more steps.
Contact the University Directly
In the case that an agent is not listed on the university website and you have reason to believe that they could be legitimate based on the information they are providing you, a great way to eliminate doubt is by contacting the university directly. Send a short and direct email of enquiry to the admissions office and enquire. Most Australian universities respond promptly and within 1 to 2 business days, you can be certain whether your agent is indeed an authorized partner.
Visit the Agents’ Office
Most rogue agents do not have a physical location, and when they do, you can tell they are simply staged offices. Therefore, simply popping up at an agent’s office could be the missing piece to establishing their legitimacy.
Check Past Events and Online Presence
In the age of social media marketing, legit agents often have online pages where they post pictures and videos from their expos, fairs, and even what we would call testimonials of previous students they have helped make successful applications. Thus, looking up agents on social media platforms could be one of the best ways to credit or discredit agents. A nice trick to check is whether their comment sections are enabled and active with comments. While rogue agents could also have an active social media presence as bait, they mostly disable their comments to avoid getting comments from people who have fallen victim to them before.
Be Cautious About Payments
Finally, be extra wary about agents demanding full payments up front. Most legitimate agents do not charge any fees upfront, and if they do, they deliver their information with honesty and transparency.
Bonus Tip
Outside these points, it is always critical to trust your instincts. If your gut tells you that an agent is illegitimate, be scared, trust yourself, and weigh your options before making any form of payment, even a partial payment.
Stay guided, ladies. All the best!
