This week's top #SocialMedia and #IntlEd news include a blog on what makes a vibrant international community on campus, how to diversify within Asia, China in the news again with domestic politics in the US, what's driving international students' decision making on institutional choices, and calamity across the board in Australia, Canada, and UK.
- In certain key markets the restrictions on international students will have significant knock-on effects on the English Language Training sector. This ICEF podcast is a call-to-action for the wider international education field to get involved.
- When it comes to diversification of international student populations in major destination markets, Asia is not the typical go to (as 70% of internationals in the US are from this continent) but this Sinorbis webinar takes a look at where there is hope.
- What constitutes a vibrant campus community? The reality of your campus culture may be vastly different than what you’re selling. This Intead piece shares how you can go about defining and identifying what your college actually is for internationals.
- In terms of sources of international students on US college campuses, athletes are often the ones furthest outside the control of international admissions. This AIRC webinar examines how overseas athletes are recruited.
- IIE’s Spring Snapshot Survey of US international education efforts reveals that 83% of institutions reported either level or increased international student applications for the fall 2024 intake. Good data available in this PIE News article.
- A new partnership between ICEF and NAFSA seeks to promote the expanded diversification of international enrollments in the US through a new pre-con workshop pre-NAFSA national in San Diego next May.
- House Republicans are trying to revive the failed China Initiative, but their efforts look doomed to failure (thankfully) as the Senate will largely ignore this kind of move that would send a very significant red flag up to our biggest global partner.
- Another House bill seeks to forbid any partnerships for US institutions with Chinese universities that are part of the military-civil fusion strategy, or have any connection with the Chinese military and defense areas.
- ACE and the collective higher education community in the US have sent a letter opposing most of these new Republican-driven pieces of anti-China legislation, but have, importantly, shown support for two more benign clarifications bills.
- This ICEF Monitor article answers the question we should all know the answer to in international higher ed: What is the primary driver of international students’ decision where to attend university? For 5 years running, “future career impact” leads the ISB findings.
- Could we get away with this in the US? “A recent international graduate outcomes survey from QS, in partnership with Universities UK, reveals that just three percent of international students found a job through their university career support services. Most didn’t use university career services at all to support their job search.”
- Though the data is a bit dated, this WES report explores some of the real drivers pushing students from Sub-Saharan Africa toward the US, with specific focus on Nigeria and Ghana. Good read.
- What is driving Indian students’ decisions to study abroad, particularly the differences between the US and the UK? This BridgeU report dives deep into this most populous nation’s motivations.
- I have admired Hans de Wit as a thought leader for years. But I think he’s wide of the mark by claiming there won’t be much change in global student recruitment as a result of recent government restrictions. The evidence is clear, serious damage has been done.
- A lot of institutions are wringing their hands and sweating the financial implications of the decreases in international students coming to their countries. This University World News article shares what those institutions can do to reverse the tide.
- This is encouraging out of India: “The number of students from India to the US is continuously growing. We are also really proud to say that every first time student who wanted a visa appointment got it, something we weren’t able to achieve in the past.”
- Australia - Did you know that 57% of international students in Australia have been at the vocational education training level? The VET sector Down Under is bracing for the worst. Closures and job losses incoming.
- Australia - The official cuts coming from the Albanese government in Australia when it comes to international students allowed into the country will be more draconian that what the UK or Canada have imposed. But at least the cuts are highly bureaucratic.
- Australia - The view from an Indian student currently Down Under: “I chose Australia because it has always been perceived as a welcoming country for international students. However, recent changes—such as the doubling of student visa fees and the new cap on student admissions—are shifting that perception. I will be advising my friends in India to reconsider their plans to study here.”
- Australia - Australian universities are debating whether these government changes are a good thing for them or not. Really? Poor phrasing in this title. Not a single university is happy with these limits being put in place. Students will vote with their feet.
- Canada - Meanwhile in Canada, a forbearing of things to come Down Under, the hope for a 35% reduction in the number of new study permits issued this year has actually resulted in a 45% drop in international student enrollments. Some institutions are barely hanging on.
- Canada - Dire straights north of the border: “Universities Canada recently warned of ‘collateral damage’ from the cap, which has created uncertainty for many international students. ‘There’s every possibility that it’s going to be even worse than we fear.’”
- Canada - With Indian students being by far Canada’s largest international student group, a 50% drop in study visa approvals for this demographic will lead to a monumental decline in institutional revenues short-term, and student interest long-term.
- India - Every country that has become so dependent on Indian students (much like they did China before it) is now hoping the winds of change raging through many Western governments against international students are short-lived or at least not as severe as it looks.
- Japan - The land of the rising sun has joined the growing list of nations opening up campuses overseas. After six years of negotiations, Tsukuba University will open a campus in Malaysia. This project started in 2016 at the behest of the former Malaysian PM.
- Malaysia - Following on from recent jumps in Mainland Chinese students choosing study options in Hong Kong, both higher ed and K-12 schools in Malaysia have seem significant increases in Chinese students enrolling.
- UK - In the United Kingdom the Office of Students is a real watchdog for quality of processes impacting international students through British universities. This office has recently begun investigating the 3rd party subcontracting relationship impacting student success.
- UK - A recent blog by two professors at UK Russell Group unis suggests international students don’t understand English well enough to succeed but are largely being passed through and graduating. Could this do damage to brand UK?
- UK - Tone matters, but no matter how well or differently you say something, real change is what students will want to see. The Labour Government faces an uphill battle to regain hearts and minds of future international students.
- Vietnam - One of the fastest growing markets for the US (and other receiving nations) has been Vietnam in recent years. This past year applications surged from this Southeast Asian powerhouse nation 38% putting it in the top 10 globally.
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. An audio-only version is available on all major podcast provider platforms.
