- Looking for a lively discussion on the various new digital platforms that have entered the international student recruitment sphere in the last 3 years? If so, check out today’s ICEF webinar on the topic.
- Speaking of new ed tech solutions, UniSearch, out of Australia, has entered the one-stop shop platform market with help for students from prospect to post-study work stages.
- Over 5 billion people now have internet access (63% of the world) and of the eligible 13+ age group, over 75% of the world is now on social media. Great reporting as always from the team at WeAreSocial.
- If you’re using Facebook groups for international student recruitment (like admitted student groups), here are some common mistakes to avoid and content tips to position yourself for building a strong community.
- Did you know you can see what your competitors are doing re: Facebook and Instagram ads? Yes! the Meta Ad Library is available for page and business account owners to research.
- Having good video content alone doesn’t ensure it will get views. If you’re wondering how to up your engagement, check out these excellent tips from Social Media Examiner.
International Education News
- Perhaps no news has been better received by ISSS and intl admissions offices across the US in the past months that DHS’s extension of the March 2020 guidance allowing intl students to continue to take online courses.
- After the recent extension of TPS (Temporary Protected Status) to Ukrainians currently in the U.S. the same benefit has also been extended to those from Cameroon due to the armed conflict ravaging that country.
- In addition to TPS, DHS has also extended SSR (Special Student Relief) to students from Ukraine and Cameroon in the U.S. allowing for additional hours of work over the 20/week limit, as well as the ability to take less than a full course load.
- The U.S. Department of Education announced its “International Strategy” designed to prepare “today’s students for a hyper-connected world.” A downloadable report is available but is not focused on intl student recruitment.
- International research collaborations between the US and China have not surprising cooled in recent years. Karin Fischer’s Latitudes edition from last week explores the longer-term implications of this chill.
- I always think these subject rankings should be taken with a grain of salt, but some interesting data with the US having #1 programs in 28 of 51 subjects, New Zealand the most per capita, and Canada’s U of Toronto the most top 50 programs.
- Top US MBA program rebounded strongly in the past year, post-Trump. This article shares which US universities have enrolled the most international students in their graduate business programs.
- The stories of shady agents producing fake documents for US visa aspirants is not new. Glad to see the US Embassy in Delhi prompting action on the part of local officials to arrest offending agents (and students), but naming the agencies is needed.
- Great to see this opinion piece from my colleague, Anna Wise at Hamilton, who rightly suggests that Russian students in the U.S. should not be used as pawns in political battles with our foes around the world.
- Identifying your institution’s peers may not be as easy as you think. Do you know who makes those decisions and on what criteria? Would your peers for domestic students be the same as those for intl students? Probably not.
- The job losses in the intl ed field during the pandemic were brutal. Not surprisingly, colleges are now struggling to fill new positions and are being forced to rethink their structures, training, advancement opportunities, and more.
- Great article from Adria Baker at Rice on the important metrics international education offices should be using in the post-pandemic era we are entering: comprehensive perspective, academic programs’ missions, and individual’s impacts.
- Believe it or not, retention in international enrollment management is not a universally practiced or understood concept in the US. The folks at Intead provide an excellent assessment of what’s missing on campus from colleges’ approaches.
- Those this University World News article focuses on Australia-Vietnam initiatives, the concept (and problem) of building academics’ capacity for international ed is a real struggle globally. Good advice.
- In the last 20 years, intl students accounted for 40%+ of all STEM doctorates granted (half of those from India and China). 77% of these intl PhD grads stay in the US and enrich our society and make valuable contributions. Data doesn’t lie.
- Very encouraging to see NACAC tackling the test-optional wave during the pandemic and its impact on the most disadvantaged applicants to US colleges and university. Much needed.
- While MIT became the first highly selective college to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements, that decision should not and has not been the beginning of a broader wave. The research certainly doesn’t back up the need.
- Australia - What does the slow return of international students to Australian institutions mean? “Students have grown tired of waiting to return.” 41% are planning to study elsewhere.
- Australia - This ICEF Monitor report suggests one of the reasons Chinese students (Australia’s #1 source of international students) have not been returning in numbers is due to severe travel restrictions within and leaving China.
- Canada - Remember Laurentian University in Canada having to file for creditor protection during the pandemic? According to an Ontario auditor’s report, the institution did not have to do so. Wonder how all those faculty and staff feel who were let go feel?
- Canada - This article suggests Canada’s international education ambition has unintended consequences particularly on the “exploitation” of India’s poor who come for study and don’t receive adequate care or support.
- Canada - Language matters. I remember doing orientation sessions for newly arrived internationals on the differences between the English they learned and American English as well as campus-specific lingo. Same issues north of the border it seems.
- China - Has the Zero Covid-19 Tolerance policy coupled with the expanded lockdowns that are impacting 25% of China’s population indirectly led to a huge spike in interest in studying abroad and/or leaving the country altogether? Good insights from Sunrise Intl Ed.
- China - On the other hand, the economic damage being done by the impact in China of anti-capitalism laws, continued lockdowns, and job losses may nip that interest in study abroad in the financial bud. Time will tell.
- India - Indian students are persistent, no doubt. For some reason, those who have been locked out of their studies in China for the last two years, are still campaigning (via Twitter) to be let back in. Why Twitter, not WeChat? WeChat’s been banned in India.
- United Kingdom - Have to give it to UCAS, this organization has been expanding their global partnerships in some very interesting and practical ways. This agreement with BOSSA in China is another big move.
- United Kingdom - There’s a lot in this article about a PIE Live session. What peaks my interest is the conversation on how quicker offers make a huge difference (70% higher) in yield rates if you get decisions turned around in a week or less.
If you’d like a more in-depth analysis of the main news stories each week, check out our Midweek Roundup international education live chat 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.
