The Unconventional Ways of Recruiting Students for International Study
Olushola Lawal (RSM, RPO, Certified SAFe Agilist)
Scrum Master | Agile I Education Technology I Student Recruiter I Project Lead
Recruiting students for international study programs is a serious challenge. Educational institutions often rely on traditional marketing strategies – fairs, brochures, websites – but what if I told you there's a more unconventional route that could lead to recruitment success? Yes, you read that right. Today, I will explore creative ways to attract top students to your international study programs. Let's shake up the seriousness and infuse humour into the recruitment process. After all, laughter is a universal language!
Mastering the Art of the Memes
Memes are the modern-day hieroglyphics of communication. If you can't beat them, join them! Crafting memes that cleverly promote your study programs can go a long way. Imagine a witty caption paired with a relatable image – suddenly, your program is all the rave on social media.?
The Pun: The Ultimate Meme Art: - When it comes to humour, puns reign supreme. Use them in memes to showcase Study abroad experiences. For example, a picture of a student in France captioned "Eiffel in over my head with this language barrier!" This approach entertains and informs prospective students about potential challenges and cultural quirks.
Branding With Humor: - Linking memes to your institution's values is vital. Whether playing on the university's name, featuring successful alumni, or teasing the local weather, humour reflecting your school's identity resonates best.
An Infomercial That's Edutaining
Tap into retro culture with an over-the-top infomercial showcasing the benefits of studying abroad. Make it intentionally cheesy for that so-bad-it's-good charm.
Crafting the Perfect Pitch: - Parodies grab attention and can go viral. Create videos poking fun at Study abroad stereotypes while highlighting opportunities. Think creatively – like a Game of Thrones-style academic video or a TikTok dance promoting cultural immersion.
Another idea is an '80s infomercial parody showing a range of experiences, from educational to hilariously cultural mishaps. Picture a host in a crazy wig, selling international Study marvels with cheesy effects.
Collaborate with Students: - Involve students to share their experiences for an authentic touch and empower others to join the recruitment process.
Testimonials That Tickle: - Alumni testimonials can be humorous and insightful, showing the impact of international Study with a light-hearted tone.
Humour in Print:?
Digital platforms excel in speedy delivery, but the humour in print is a game-changer. Add humour to flyers, brochures, or posters for a unique touch that captivates.?
Revamp Flyers with Humor: -??Inject wit and clever graphics into flyers on an international study to spark conversations. Keep them snappy, engaging, and visually appealing.?
Bold Posters: - Enhance posters with bold graphics and witty taglines. Use puns to capture attention while conveying critical messages about your study programs. Embrace playful humour and take creative risks!
Embracing the World of Gamification
Gamify recruitment to engage students interactively. Create games simulating international student experiences for fun and insight.?
Escape Room Challenge: - Design a themed escape room around applying, acceptance, and starting an international study journey. Participants solve puzzles to learn about program benefits.
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Cultural Hunts: - Run city or campus scavenger hunts teaching about diverse cultures. Booths with country activities offer a taste of studying abroad in a hands-on way.
The Digital Comedy Sketch
Put on your director's hat and create a series of comedic sketches that translate the joys and challenges of international Study into bite-sized, shareable episodes.
Lights, Camera, Laughter: - Gather a team of students, faculty, and even professional comedians to act in these short videos. Ensure the humour reflects a broad range of cultural situations students may encounter. Remember, the goal is to entertain while subtly providing valuable insight.
Sharing is Caring:- Once your sketches are perfected, distribute them widely across social media platforms. Encourage sharing and participation by creating a hashtag that ties back to your program, and run a contest for the best viewer-submitted skit ideas.
The All-Out Prankster
The Elevator Pitch: - Set up a rigged elevator that "breaks down" and reveals a fully decked-out international study classroom when the doors finally open. The looks on the faces of the unsuspecting "victims" will be priceless, and the video will be priceless marketing material.
In-the-Wild Study: - Stage a flash mob of foreign language speakers on campus, culminating in an impromptu lesson for the unsuspecting crowd. The spontaneity and excitement captured in this moment can be thrilling for participants and viewers alike and a great way to show the vibrant multicultural world that awaits students who choose to study abroad.
A Never-Ending Story
Continue your recruitment efforts after the initial campaign. Keep the humour and creative strategies going throughout the year to engage with current students and alumni and continue to attract new prospects.
Comedy Relief Events: - Organize events like open-mic comedy nights, improv shows or sketch comedy performances that showcase the talents of your students and alumni. This creates a fun and engaging atmosphere on campus and allows prospective students to see themselves fitting in and thriving within your program.
Alumni Stand-Up: - Invite alumni from your international study program to share their humorous stories at events or on social media. This strengthens the connection with alumni and reminds prospective students of the valuable experiences they could have by studying abroad.
Final Thought
Recruiting students for international Study doesn't have to be a solemn affair. By infusing your approach with humour and creativity, you can create an effective recruitment strategy and a joy to execute. Embracing unconventional methods will make your program stand out in a sea of prospects and, most importantly, show the fun and adventure waiting for students who choose to study under your banner. Encourage prospective students to join the fun by creating a social media campaign centred around your humorous recruitment strategies. Use hashtags and engage with students through interactive posts, memes, and videos. By making recruitment an enjoyable experience, you'll attract like-minded individuals who are open to new experiences and ready for the adventure of studying abroad. Remember, the goal is to educate, but there's no harm in laughing the way. Let's revolutionize international education recruitment with a hearty belly laugh!?
#Internationalstudent #studyabroad #studentmobility #studentmigration
Founder @ Bridge2IT +32 471 26 11 22 | Business Analyst @ Carrefour Finance
8 个月Recruiters, the architects of career paths! ?????
International Education Specialist||Business Development Manager||Admissions Manager(Africa)||British Council Agent Counsellor||Enterpreneur
9 个月This is so educational. Laughter infused campaigns ??