At AISG, our approach to university counseling is as unique as each student we serve. Families choose AISG not only for our academic excellence, but for our deeply personalized guidance that helps students and their families discover and secure their best-fit universities — places where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

With over 40 years as Guangzhou’s premier international school, and memberships in International ACAC and NACAC, AISG has built an extensive network and strong relationships with universities worldwide. This global reach is paired with our best-fit philosophy, where counselors work one-on-one with students to explore their strengths, goals, and passions. Together, they craft individualized application strategies — from course selection to extracurricular focus — ensuring every step reflects the student’s unique profile and future aspirations.

We are proud to announce that we have expanded our team, welcoming a second University & Future Pathways Counselor this year. Both counselors are new to AISG, bringing fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to guiding students toward their ideal futures. In this article, you’ll get to know them — the people empowering AISG students to turn their aspirations into reality.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your own education or career that shaped how you support students today?

A pivotal moment was when I first recognized the implications of “Maslow before Bloom.” Helping students access higher order thinking skills is hindered if basic needs are not met. Basic needs encompass physical, social, emotional, and psychological needs. When these needs are met, students experience a sense of belonging that builds their confidence and sense of self-worth which leads to growth. As a counselor, I play a key role in providing a psychologically safe space for students to be risk-takers and explore all possibilities for their future. This pivotal moment was the beginning of a pathway shift early in my career, from teaching to counseling.

What’s your core belief about what makes a university or career path a “best-fit” for a student?

My core belief regarding what makes a university or career best-fit is based on my philosophy of education, which is centered around the holistic nature of a child and the uniqueness of everyone. Several factors are considered when deciding best-fit, including academic programs, diversity, environment, current academic grades, admission requirements, a student’s dreams and passions, their aptitudes or strengths, their personalities, university size, unique family circumstances, financial need, visa requirements, available activities, and finally, school rankings. Best-fit is therefore a unique combination of several or all these factors for each student.

What’s a fun or unconventional way you’ve helped a student de-stress during applications?

I apply a ‘wellness in the palm of your hand’ strategy, where each finger of one hand represents an aspect of wellbeing (nutrition, sleep, exercise/movement, recreation/fun, relationships) and all of them integrated together (palm), in a balanced manner, keeps an individual ‘well’. This is part of my check-in conversations with students. I also try to tap into what students like to do to de-stress. I remember a fun example where a student taught us how to tie traditional African head scarves because this was something she did as a creative outlet to destress.

What’s your go to way to celebrate when a student gets into their dream school?

I think having a school celebratory ritual is one way of recognizing this important milestone and can serve as a motivating factor for younger students. My favorite such ritual was at a school where we had a beautiful bell mounted on a wall, and whenever a senior decided which offer they were accepting, they would ring the bell and everyone in the offices close by would join in a celebratory cheer. On a more personal level, sharing a box of chocolate or decadent cupcakes over joyful squeals or tears of relief always fills my cup and reminds me of what a privilege it is to be a part of their journey.

How do your personal background or experiences help you relate to the diverse students and families in our community?

Having once been an international student in the UK studying the history of India, I’ve come to study and experience how deeply cultural and historical contexts are shaping our experiences of the modernity. This understanding helps me approach students and families from various background with empathy and some curiosity, knowing that differences often come from layered and meaningful backstories. As a counselor at AISG, I believe that everyone is different and that’s why everyone can fit in. Diversity isn’t just something we support - it’s what strengthens and enriches our school community.

What’s your core belief about what makes a university or career path a “best fit” for a student?

My first core belief is that there is always a best-fit for every student - somewhere they can feel both challenged and comfortable. It’s about finding that intellectual and community snug where they can truly shine. My second belief is that best-fit rarely appears fully formed; it takes exploration, reflection, and effort to discover. As a counselor, I’m honored to help students recognize opportunities, adjust along the way, and ultimately identify the environments where they can thrive.

Our community values inclusivity. How do you see that aligning with your approach?

Inclusivity is at the heart of how I work with students and families. I strive to make my office a space where every student feels heard, respected, and supported—no matter their background, identity, skill sets, pathway, or goals. That’s what I love about AISG: guidance here is personalized and student-centered, recognizing that success looks different for everyone.

What’s a book, movie, or song that influenced how you see education or mentorship?

The Element by Ken Robinson shaped how I see education as the discovery of where passions, skill sets, and growth opportunities overlap. It reminded me of how I felt during university as a student and now as a counselor in work: a feeling of completely rightness and of comfortingly at home. That feeling of “right in my element” is my goal—helping students find where they truly belong.

What’s the most rewarding part of guiding students through this journey—and what are you most excited about in this role at AISG?

Pushpa Dasari

The most rewarding part of guiding students through this journey is getting to witness their growth in the process and eventually celebrating their unique success. The sense of gratitude, relief, joy and excitement despite all the challenges, is both rewarding and motivating. I am most excited about this role at AISG because of the opportunity to expand the university counseling program to younger grade levels. AISG’s core principles and focus on inclusivity and belonging resonates with my educational philosophy of holistic, student-centered learning and I’m looking forward to being a part of this community.

Yizhou Liu

The most rewarding part for me is seeing students transform their ideas into action over years of work—developing skills, becoming resourceful, getting passionate, and taking charge of their own lives. Watching this growth emerge is immensely fulfilling. At AISG, I’m excited to be part of an international community that see every student as unique individual and empowers them to find their own success.

At AISG, university and future pathways counseling is more than guidance - it’s a partnership that empowers every student to own their journey and step confidently into the next stage of life. As you’ve seen in their own words, our new counselors bring not only expertise and global insight, but also a genuine commitment to understanding each learner as an individual. This is the AISG Difference in action: personalized strategies built on strong relationships, a world-class network, and a community that believes every student’s future has the power to make an impact. With their support, our students don’t just prepare for university — they prepare to thrive, contribute, and lead wherever their future takes them.

AISG’s “Best Fit Philosophy” seeks to support students and their families through tailor-made, individualized college plans aimed at connecting students to pathways and college programs they are passionate about pursuing. Click here to learn more about university counseling at AISG.