Carlo Kuepers
Director of University and Careers Counseling
Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong (China)
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
My career has never followed a straight line, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Before becoming a university and careers counselor, I worked in business, international development, and education across Europe, Central America, Africa, and Asia. Throughout those experiences, one thing remained constant: I enjoyed helping people discover opportunities they didn’t know existed and supporting them as they navigated important life decisions.
University counseling combines many of the things I value most. It is about education, certainly, but also about listening, asking thoughtful questions, building relationships, and helping young people discover who they are before deciding where they want to go. Watching students grow in confidence and leave school with a genuine sense of purpose is what drew me to this profession and continues to inspire me every day.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I love getting to know students, their personalities, aspirations, challenges, and the stories that make them unique. My role is not simply to help students gain admission to university; it is to help them find the environment where they will flourish and for that I need to know them first.
Their success isn’t necessarily defined by the name of a university but by whether a student finds a place where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally; where they see themselves being able to grow in the three or four years to come. Seeing students realize that, and then watching them grow into confident young adults, is incredibly rewarding.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
As someone working in an international school, NACAC has been an invaluable professional community. The ethical principles that underpin our profession resonate strongly with my own approach to counseling, particularly the emphasis on integrity, transparency, and student-centered practice.
Beyond the resources and professional learning, what I value most is the opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world. University admissions is constantly evolving, and having access to such a diverse network of professionals allows me to continue learning, sharing ideas, and ultimately providing better guidance to my students and families.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
One of our greatest challenges is helping students and families navigate an increasingly complex world while staying focused on what truly matters. The appropriate use of AI, a rapidly changing world, and an overwhelming amount of online information (and misinformation) can easily distract students from asking the most important questions: Who am I? What do I enjoy? Where will I thrive?
As counselors, we have the privilege, and the responsibility, to bring perspective back into the process. We are advocates for students, helping them make informed decisions based on their own values and aspirations rather than external expectations.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
My family comes first. I love spending time with my wife and our 8-year-old son. Since he is a passionate dinosaur enthusiast (he knows more about dinosaurs than I ever will) many of our weekends are filled with prehistoric adventures. Whether we’re exploring a natural history museum, searching for dinosaur fossils (real or imaginary), or creating our own Jurassic stories at home, he always reminds me how powerful curiosity and imagination can be.
We also enjoy traveling and discovering new places together. Seeing the world through my son’s eyes, where every museum is an expedition, has taught me to slow down, embrace wonder, and appreciate the joy of learning for its own sake. Those moments are a wonderful reminder of why I switched to a career in education in the first place.
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
I’d choose Tintin. Growing up in the Netherlands, Tintin was always a familiar character, and I admire his curiosity, integrity, and global outlook. He approaches unfamiliar cultures with openness and isn’t afraid to ask questions or seek the truth.
My own career has taken me across several continents, from international development to international education, and I’ve learned that the best journeys begin by asking good questions and being genuinely interested in other people. Those are qualities I try to bring to my work as a university and careers counselor every day and I hope to instill these in my students as they prepare to study around the world.
Published Sept. 7, 2026