This week's top #socialmedia and #intled news include a remarkable change in tac from Donald Trump on international students, how international students feel about a potential second Trump administration, a new AI service from ApplyBoard, the prospects of a rising US in international student mobility, and the financial fallout from changing government policies.
- While the international ed community in the US would rather not see a second term for Donald Trump, according to this Intead blog, future international students are actually more bullish than in 2016, on what he might mean for their interest in US study.
- One reason more prospective students might get more excited about a Trump presidency centers on this particular segment from the All-In Podcast, where he said on day one that he would automatically grant green cards to international student graduates from US colleges. This story, this promise, is really quite remarkable, and if elected, a lot of international educators will want to hold him to this promise. A game-changer if it happens.
- For data geeks, this Tuesday PIE webinar with Etio (formerly Tribal i-graduate) is a must attend. The focus of this event will be the revealing of data on motivations of top 10 source markets to studying abroad. Over 200K responses.
- If a better understanding of the Latin American market from the eyes and ears of agents is a priority for you, attending this upcoming LatAm Consulting webinar may well be worth your time.
- If you’re searching for an overview of thirteen key Asian markets’ social, digital, and SEO trends, check out this Webcertain guide on all the top source countries in South and East Asia for international students.
- Here are the details of ApplyBoard’s new AI tool, Abbie, that the aggregator released to “not only simplifies the international education process but also empowers students and recruitment agents with the insights they need to succeed, in a fraction of the time it used to take."
- And then there’s the flipside of AI as represented by this announcement by ed tech company Chegg, that a quarter of its global workforce will be let go “as it faces growing competition from artificial intelligence (AI) tools.”
- One of the most important steps in the international student journey at US colleges is often the most overlooked in terms of the separate expertise and services required to navigate: Career services. Good report from ICEF.
- If agencies seeking recognition is any indication of the growth of the international student mobility market, then business is looking up. ICEF has now accredited 2000 agencies with another 1000 in the pipeline.
- Has your administration struggled to walk the line amidst recent protests over the war in Gaza, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism? As Hans de Wit and Phil Altbach make the case that universities attempts to navigate neutrality often fail.
- How have researchers in Latin America fared in terms of funding from governments? This QS article reflects the challenges many in academia, particularly in the social sciences and humanities, have had frustrations getting funded.
- In funding of a different sort, this IDP Emerging Futures research reveals data on the relative costs of education in the major destination markets. Is the rising costs of the the big four chasing students to other countries for higher ed closer to home?
- Right now, the US is the only big four destination for international students not suffering the reputational damage and real new barriers to accessing higher education. That being said, we still have our challenges, but this kind of article doesn’t hurt.
- Expect more articles like this one in the Economic Times in India extolling this pronouncement from Trump: “This proposal marks a notable departure from Trump's previous policies and rhetoric, indicating a potential shift in his approach to immigration in his current campaign.”
- Here’s another take on the US standing amongst the major destination nations: “Policymakers and educational institutions alike understand that attracting global talent is beneficial for the United States and will likely ensure its competitive edge and economic prosperity, positioning the US as a leader in innovation and economic development.” Let’s hope so.
- Why is recruiting at international schools in key markets important? The greater majority are going abroad as this piece on international schools in South Korea where students are mostly headed to the US.
- Australia - For the first quarter of 2024, students are turned off Australia, with a third fewer visas granted so far. Why? “More restrictive migration settings and a higher threshold for approving visa applications.”
- Australia - Another unintended consequence of visa restrictions Down Under includes potential drops in the world rankings for Aussie universities. The world-leading credit agency S&P Global predicts no good outcomes for institutions.
- Canada - If your head has been spinning with all the changes to international education north of the border, this University World News piece shares the increased focus on immigration issues and the impacts on Canadian society.
- China - In the past, at an international school, it meant English was the medium of instruction. China, in a mini-BRI effort, has expanded the network of Chinese language-medium international schools. Why? Chinese nationals represent the fourth largest diaspora group in the world.
- China - This China Daily (CCP-mouthpiece) discusses the release of a white paper sharing why there are fewer Chinese students studying in the US. A little late to the party, and certainly, you don’t need a white paper to figure this out.
- China - Does perception become reality? Yes. Almost always when international student opinions are concerned. This THE piece shares how Chinese students are being turned off Australia due to visa restrictions and “anti-China” perceptions.
- India - A testing scandal is rocking India amongst 2.4 million aspiring medical students. Reports of “reports of grace marks being given to students for ‘lost time’, paper leaks, and suspicions of rigging.”
- New Zealand - Indian students are being denied at an alarmingly high rate to Kiwi institutions according to recent Radio New Zealand reports. "New Zealand's international student dream may be turning sour, especially for Indian applicants.”
- UK - Though the official HESA data on international student enrollments in 2022-23 won’t be out until August, provision data shows that non-EU student numbers dropped by 81000 in the last academic cycle before the government changes became law.
- UK - Financial deficits at UK universities will hit sooner than expected, with the declines in international student numbers happening as we speak. Up to 40% of British unis are expected to have deficits this year. What’s next? Job losses.
- UK - Rishi Sunak wants to go out with a bang. His proposals to further reduce net migration numbers to only bring the “best and the brightest” to study at British universities is winning few friends in the international education community.
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 1 pm ET on the SMIE Consulting?Facebook?page,?YouTube?channel,?Twitter feed, and?LinkedIn. A podcast version is available on all major podcast provider platforms.
