PESHAWAR, Nov 20: The US Consulate in Peshawar arranged a counselling session on Tuesday for students of the University of Peshawar and the NWFP University of Engineering and Technology who are planning to proceed to America for higher studies.

The consulate — which is marking the eighth annual International Education Week by holding an array of activities — told the students that many people in Pakistan had come to know the United States well by studying in its educational institutions.

“We extend a welcome to international students,” said the Consulate’s Public Affairs Officer, Steve Lebens.

Representatives of the US Education Foundation in Pakistan spoke at length about the graduate admissions process, Fulbright Scholarships, finding a university and preparing for standardised tests.

Student visa applicants should be truthful, well-prepared and organised, said vice-consul Justin Kolbeck while giving a presentation about applying for a student’s visa to the United States. “Don’t try to be the perfect student. Don’t lie.

“I repeat don’t lie and just be yourself and relaxed when appearing for the interview,” Mr Kolbeck advised the students.

He said they should be confident, do their research, pick the right programme and keep all documents handy while appearing for the interview. The applicants needed to know which forms were needed when applying for visa. Mr Kolbeck also spoke about the kinds of visas. He said ‘F’ visa was a student visa and a student was allowed to work for a few hours a week. Under the “J” visa, which was a cultural exchange visa, no one is not allowed to work.

Constance Jones, Cultural Affairs Officer from the US Embassy in Islamabad, said US was celebrating the education week worldwide to highlight the importance of education.