WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR?

My parents couldnt support me so I had to look for part-time jobs to support myself at college. I found an American family and started tutoring them in Chinese. I spent a lot of time with them and they helped me financially, but more importantly I learned about myself. I realized that I can be independent and I learned a lot about the world. That was when I realized education was really important. My American friends told me to pursue what I wanted and that I didnt have to learn what I wasnt interested in. There are many young Chinese students who wont know this, so I want to influence them and give them the same opportunity—thats why Im in education.

WHAT WAS THE COMPANYS INSPIRATION BEHIND SETTING UP VERICANT?

We wanted to set up an education consultancy here and organize tours for Chinese students to visit American boarding schools. But when we started, a lot of Chinese families were requesting something else instead: to write personal statements and essays for the students. Its not fair, but it happens a lot; thats what the education consultants do here. So we found a way to level the playing field for students that want to study abroad.

IS VERICANTS A UNIQUE APPROACH?

We were certainly unique when Vericant was founded. When we told schools about the product, they were totally shocked. Traditionally, schools interview using Skype, phone or their alumni in China, but we meet the students face to face, helping school admissions officers see what theyre really like. Weve definitely had a hard time educating the market because its a new concept. Educational consultants try to place the students in schools; our goal is to?show?the students to the school.??

WHAT SORT OF RECEPTION DO YOU GET FROM US SCHOOLS AND CHINESE STUDENTS WHEN YOU PROMOTE VERICANT?