Your passport to international universities.
Briteguides replaces scattered research and conflicting advice with clear, expert guidance — because this information should be accessible to every student, family, and counselor, wherever they are in the world.
Meet our founders
Christine Eischen
Licensed Professional Counselor | Coach | Independent Educational Consultant
Christine has spent two decades coaching, counseling, and celebrating students. Through Briteguide, she works with students, believing every young person has a world of opportunities at their fingertips. Together with co-founder Malissa, they are opening doors to those opportunities through expert-led Briteguides courses designed to give students and their advisors the clarity they need to explore globally.
Malissa Takacs
Licensed Counselor | Independent Educational Consultant
Malissa is an expert in international university advising and is the Co-Founder of College Plus Educational Consulting. Briteguides began when she and Christine saw a need for students, families, and counselors asking for clearer guidance on global admissions, and embarked upon building a set of resources that combined their experience with trusted industry professionals.
A Global Partnership
Having discovered the breadth of high-quality global education opportunities through their own experiences and careers, Malissa and Christine are committed to opening those same doors for others. In developing Briteguides courses, alongside global expert counseling colleagues, they aim to make the international admissions landscape more approachable, more accurate, and more transparent for everyone.
Across their professional careers, Malissa and Christine have been recognized for their contributions to professional organizations such as IACAC, NACAC, IECA, and the IBO, as well as for their pro bono work with students and peer mentorship. Their collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to expanding access to the knowledge they have spent years developing.
As co-creators of Briteguides, they ensure that each guide delivers exactly what it promises: accessible and trustworthy information, grounded insight from reputable Country Experts, and a clear, confident path for students, families, and counselors exploring university options around the world.
Meet the Briteguides Country Experts
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![Christina Chandler, Briteguides Australia Expert and Course Instructor]()
Christina Chandler
AUSTRALIA
Christina is an international education consultant based in Australia with 25+ years of experience across high schools, universities, government organizations, and international institutions spanning Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. She brings a deep cross-cultural expertise and insider knowledge to help students and families navigate Australian higher education with confidence. -
![Aiden Crowley, Briteguides Ireland Expert and Course Instructor]()
Aidan Crowley
IRELAND
Hailing from Ireland, Aidan brings 24 years of international education experience, with expertise supporting students across Southeast Asia and China. A frequent speaker at international conferences, and sits on various committees. Aidan maintains strong relationships with global universities — attending campus tours and admissions sessions to provide students and families with personalized guidance, particularly in studying in Ireland. -
![Katjia Luorio, Briteguides Italy Expert and Course Instructor]()
Katja Iuorio
ITALY
Katja is a psychologist and educational counselor based in Italy, with over 15 years of experience guiding students and families through complex academic decisions. Recognized as a leading expert in international academic pathways and author of Studenti a tutto mondo, a guide to international higher education for families, she brings a structured, student-centered approach grounded in psychological insight and on-the-ground knowledge. -
![Kara Madden, Briteguides Spain Expert and Course Instructor]()
Kara Madden
SPAIN
Kara is an American educational consultant who has called Madrid home since 1996. Her career spans the Fulbright Commission in Spain, roles at Spanish universities in teaching, admissions, and career services, and 30 years advising students, giving her a unique perspective on the Spanish university system. She helps families navigate admissions and the student experience with a supportive, strategic, and student-centered approach. -
![Maggie Parke, Briteguides United Kingdom Expert and Course Instructor]()
Dr. Maggie Parke
UNITED KINGDOM
Maggie is an American-born international education consultant who came to the UK for her Master's and PhD and never left. With 20+ years in Admissions & Recruitment at UK higher education institutions and roles with The British Council, Study in Wales, and the US-UK Fulbright Commission, she brings unmatched transatlantic expertise to help students, families, and advisors find their place in the UK.
Briteguides Gives Back
Access to international education options is for everyone.
We believe that access to quality international education guidance shouldn't be limited by financial circumstances. If you're a student, parent, or school-based counselor who would benefit from reduced-cost access to our courses, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at hello@briteguides.com with a brief note about your situation. We review each request individually and offer a limited number of one-time discount codes on a case-by-case basis. No lengthy application, just an honest conversation.
A portion of Briteguides' annual proceeds supports two organizations doing essential work in our field: Second Chance at Higher Education, which connects high-potential, low-income students with full scholarships at the final hour of the admissions cycle, and the International ACAC Global Fund, which supports financially assisted programming, including member grants and scholarships to ensure access to professional development and conferences, especially for those with limited funding.
You're in expert hands.
Each course is built by a country expert who knows the system from the inside — so you can take the next step with clarity and purpose.
