In our day-to-day professional work in #intled, we all struggle to manage information flow, identify opportunities, synthesize possible solutions, and act appropriately to better ourselves, our audiences, and our world. To help in this often overwhelming task, Social Media & International Education (SMIE) Consulting offers this free weekly e-news brief to share our perspectives and to provide some wisdom along the way. Happy reading!
- Digital and in-person recruitment in China is an ever-evolving landscape for university reps to wrap their heads around. This Tuesday’s webinar from Sunrise International takes a deep dive into what to consider moving forward.
- With all the relative pressures on international educators, it’s good every once and a while to take a beat and assess where we are and where we’re going. To participate in the conversation, check out this May 2nd Chronicle webinar.
- We all talk about the need to diversify our international student populations. The “how to” is where many of us still have questions. This upcoming event from BridgeU may be well worth attending.
- ICEF podcasts continue to deliver valuable content and perspectives on important issues in the international ed field. This episode explores the vital role of agents in student flows abroad and looks at different government policies.
- Montana and India may soon have something in common. India has had a complete ban on TikTok countrywide for several years, and should the governor of Montana sign the recently passed bill sent to him, so will Big Sky Country.
- How do you determine your impact if you actively promote your institution on LinkedIn? The new suite of LinkedIn analytics provides useful tools to decide what content is working best.
International Education News
- Interesting results from the recent INTO global agent survey share that the greater majority are expecting increases in international student flows to Western destination markets, with the UK, US, and Australia leading the way.
- I thought the pandemic had utterly decimated admissions offices had been decimated by the pandemic, but it’s actually much worse. Over 70% of counselors have less than three years of experience. And the hiring landscape is even direr. Wow.
- What is the future of admissions (undergraduate) in the United States? It could very well be direct admissions. Public universities in Idaho have been doing it since 2015, with the trendiness of this flipped model gaining takers rapidly.
- Currently living in Ohio, I am honestly a bit worried about the state of our legislature. SB 83 promises a blanket ban on all public university academic and financial partnerships with Chinese institutions.
- For the few remaining US institutions with Confucius Institutes that wish to retain any Dept of Defense funding for their colleges, the federal government has released the formal waiver process has been released by the federal government.
- If you or other international higher ed folks at your institution are eager to lead in developing a guide to internationalization between US and Indian universities, check out this interesting grant from the US Dept of State.
- I Like to see this piece from an Indian outlet sharing that the US is still the #1 destination for Indian students. Less enthusiastic to see that one of the markers for this trend is the increase in student loans being taken out.
- US institutions take note. If you can demonstrate a lower cost of living and guarantee affordable housing, you have opportunities to access a broader range of international students in this era of global inflation.
- To be honest, I need to do a better job leveraging data. This part two from Intead on the five steps to implement a robust data analysis/usage model is worth your time. A strong case is made for how to use data right.
- Some of the best international educators I know are former international students. This NAFSA International Educator piece shares the stories of some of the best in the business.
- Amongst the more than 20,000 international students from 108 countries surveyed in this IDP Emerging Futures report, the race for preferred destinations has the top 4 within 9% of each other for 1st place: Canada, Australia, US, then UK.
- Another take from this IDP survey reflects a trend we’ve been talking about for many months how important post-study work options (PSW) are for prospective international students. PSW is the most critical factor for 63%.
- One final point from the Emerging Futures report sees a bit of naivety from oversea students, in that 30% expected part-time work to be their MAIN source of funding for their studies.
- University prep and pathway programs are also thought to be the other big beneficiaries of the increased flow of international students in the next year, according to the INTO agent survey, with 64% saying so.
- Couldn’t be more excited by this news out of India that the US plans to expand student visa appointment slots by 30% this coming summer. The future looks bright.
- Australia - Not a good look Down Under: “Suddenly we have this situation in which a Western country is offering Australian dollars with unlimited work rights.
- Not a good look Down Under: “Suddenly we have this situation in which a Western country is offering Australian dollars with unlimited work rights. It’s become a bit of a Ponzi scheme which is attracting the wrong motivation for young people.”
- Australia - Must be nice to be an international educator in Western Australia these days with an additional $13 million investment by the state government to support international students this year (on top of the $41 million last year).
- Canada - This puff piece from Apply Board (a Canadian company) about how wonderful Canada is for Indian students will resonate in a country already attracting significant flows north of the border.
- China - When the Chinese government wants to change something, they don’t mess around. Thousands of subjects/programs will be cut at colleges that do not contribute to the country’s goal of becoming a tech and science superpower.
- China - Signs out of China are that student flows abroad will reach pre-Covid levels, but not necessarily in the same numbers to the same destinations, with concerns over safety pushing students to regional hubs.
- New Zealand - A group of Chinese doctoral students in science and tech fields intending to study in New Zealand seem to be on an extended hold for their visas. Most of these delayed are Chinese government-sponsored students.
- New Zealand - In Kiwi nation, colleges and universities that have relied on international students have hit rock bottom in the last year. Predictions suggest the country won’t return to pre-Covid heights until 2030. Yikes.
- United Kingdom - How can the city of Nottingham’s approach to dealing with the international student housing crisis be a road map for other campuses and cities stretched to the seams, given the overwhelming demand for spaces? Good read.
- United Kingdom - Caste discrimination is a thing that students from South Asia often can’t escape, even when studying abroad. No matter their talent, they will always be considered unworthy by some of the higher castes. Very sad state of affairs.
If you’d like a more in-depth analysis of the main news stories each week, check out our #MidweekRoundup #intled #livechat on Wednesday at 1pm ET on the SMIE Consulting Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter feed, and LinkedIn. A podcast version is available as well on all major podcast provider platforms.
Publisher, Wandering Educators
1 年I absolutely loved that Full Circle article. So inspiring, and interesting. Thank you for sharing!