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Our story

Clear help for students starting in America.

Studying abroad is exciting, but applications, housing, and a new culture can feel overwhelming. Gamze started New Chapter America to give international students the clear, personal guidance she wished she had when she first arrived in the U.S.

Gamze and David Rae in the New Chapter America office
Why we exist

We're an ICEF‑accredited agency in California, and we work with students from day one and through their studies.

When you write to us, you get real answers from real people.

That's the idea behind the name. A new chapter is more than an acceptance letter. It's the first grocery run, the first phone plan, and the first week when everything feels unfamiliar. We built this agency to help with all of that.

Gamze Rae
Gamze Rae Founder · Managing Director
Gamze's journey

From Tekirdağ to a desk in California.

This is Gamze's path, from Türkiye to running the agency in California.

2012 · Tekirdağ, Türkiye

A degree in International Relations

Gamze grew up in Tekirdağ, on the Marmara coast, and graduated from Kocaeli University in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations.

Her first chapter in America

An au pair year

Gamze first came to the U.S. on an exchange program as an au pair. Living with an American family and learning the culture firsthand gave her a clear sense of how disorienting those first few weeks in a new country can be.

Exchange program (au pair)
Three years · Istanbul

The other side of the desk

Back in Istanbul, she worked as a Study Abroad Education Counselor, placing students in America, Canada, Europe, and Australia. That work showed her how admissions offices actually operate, and it sparked her plan to run an education counseling business of her own.

Return · San Diego

Back as a student

She returned to the U.S. as an international student, starting in an English language program in San Diego before going on to complete her Master's degree.

International student · San Diego
While studying

Student housing and hospitality

Alongside her studies, she worked supporting fellow international students living far from home, then gained hands‑on experience in hospitality management. Managing day‑to‑day operations taught her the practical side of looking after people in a new place.

Student life, then hospitality experience
The turning point

Admissions, from the inside

She then took an administrative role in admissions at a language school. Working on that side of the desk showed her why applications get delayed, what schools actually look for, and how to avoid the common errors that cost students time. That experience is what led to New Chapter America.

Today · Sacramento, California

New Chapter America

An ICEF‑accredited agency working with partner schools across the U.S. Gamze counsels the students, and David runs the research, development, and support behind them.

"
I know what those first weeks feel like.
That's who I'm here for.
Gamze Rae
Gamze Rae Founder · Education Counselor
Why this matters for you

Practical help from people who know the process.

Firsthand experience

From arriving as an exchange student to completing her graduate degree in California, Gamze knows what the path feels like from your side. We support you through the school application and enrollment process.

Admissions from both sides

Experience counseling students in Istanbul, plus time working inside a language school admissions office. We know how schools evaluate applications and what paperwork needs to be in place.

Help after the offer

Getting accepted is only step one. We help with the practical stuff too: housing options, campus transition, and getting settled in your new city.

Meet the team

Two people, both of whom answer.

No account managers and no handoffs. You work with us directly the whole way.

Gamze Rae, Founder and Managing Director

Gamze Rae

Founder · Managing Director · Education Counselor

"I love helping students find the right school and get settled into life here in the U.S. without the stress of having to guess their way through it."

English Türkçe
Message Gamze
David Rae, Managing Director

David Rae

Managing Director · Development, Research & Support

"I handle the behind-the-scenes work: coordinating with partner schools, researching program options, and making sure our students get prompt answers whenever they reach out."

English Türkçe (beginner) 😊
Message the office
Credentials

Accredited, and accountable for it.

ICEF accreditation means our partner schools and our practices are independently vetted.

ICEF accredited agency badge Accredited Agency
5.0 ★From 15 Google Reviews
50States Covered