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What Types of Students Should You Target for International Recruitment – Easy Ways to Recruit International Students
“Come to our school.” “Oh, okay!”
Wouldn’t it be nice if it
was this easy to recruit international students? However, students have a mind
of their own, and they need to choose the best path that is going to lead them
to a prosperous future. For international students, the choice is even tougher.
We might think that students in other countries need to come to Canada and
America to study because our education system is top notch. While this may be
true, admissions staff need to think about the process from a different perspective
– the students. The international student is accustom to a different language,
environment, and education system.
Students Key Interests for International Education
List of Services
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To Get a Higher Quality EducationList Item 1
The majority of the students looking to study abroad are looking to get a better education. For different reasons, they might feel that the programs or subjects offered in their country might not be suitable for them. In many cases, colleges and universities that are local to students are not as reputable as international schools. Students might be considering a field in which the degree’s origin is important. In addition, the local schools might not offer the program or program type that the student is looking for. Many colleges and universities in Latin America and the Caribbean do not offer programs with co-operative learning opportunities, internships, job placements, or on the job training. Students will look to international colleges and universities to get a higher quality education.
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To ExploreList Item 2
Many students are interested in exploring their options abroad. Studies have shown that traveling is more important than ever for students. The job market today is looking for more globally minded people – students who have traveled and experienced other cultures have a leg up in the job market. Some of the benefits that students achieve through travel are: multilingualism, independence, and creative thinking. All of which are attractive in the job market. More importantly, while traveling students are learning, they are gaining real-world experience that will help them succeed in their future careers and life choices.
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To Please FamilyList Item 3
The student’s family might be suggesting they study abroad to explore their studies and career options. Parents only want what is best for their children – that is why they support their child's chance for a better future. While they have more experience in their home country, they understand the pitfalls and negatives associated with studying locally. They want their child(ren) to get out and experience the world, get more culture, and hopefully work towards a better future for themselves and future generations.
The Best Type of Student to Target For International Recruitment – THE UNDERGRADUATE
When looking for new students to join your school’s diverse population, it's best to not just target the academically, or sports, inclined students individually, or to just target ESL students or summer camps, but rather the undergraduate student population as a whole. Most undergraduate students who apply to colleges & universities abroad come from graduating at the high school level, so that would be the best place to start.
You should be recruiting undergraduate students for several reasons
List of Services
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Undergrads are Here for the Long HaulList Item 1
Students going into undergraduate programs are typically going into a post-secondary program for the first time. They are bright minded and innocent. They are going to be looking for a new place to call home for the long haul – the next two to four years (depending on the program). A good percentage of those students continue on to graduate and doctoral programs (again, depending on the program).
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Undergrads Have Family ConnectionsList Item 2
The typical family structure has children that are close in age. While the oldest child is graduating from high school, the middle or youngest child might be a grade or two below them. They are able to share their experiences about their college or university experiences. It's quite typical for an international students family to share the college or university their child is going to with friends and other family members. This can also act as a persuading point. A parent that might have been hesitant about their child studying abroad will be more likely to approve their overseas studies if there is an older sibling, family member, or friend at the college or university they want to apply to.
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Undergrads are InnovatorsList Item 3
Bringing in the next generation is refreshing for a school’s campus. With each new generation of students, we get a new range of innovators. Students are excited and proud to make their school better. They are interested in bringing advancements to the campus, housing, programs, and extra circular programs offered in your college or university. Students want to make their college or university experience as good as possible, for that reason they are willing to go above and beyond to support their college or university, usually in more ways than one.
The Best Ways to Recruit Undergraduate Students
Meet them Face to Face
Face to face meetings are the most effective form of communication. When your college or university is recruiting internationally, there is going to be a barrier due to cultural and language differences. Meeting with international students face to face to discuss their interest in your school can clarify any miscommunications. Body language is important and the physical presence ensures commitment and engagement in the conversation. Let’s be honest, no one wants to waste their time. A student won’t engage in a discussion, ask questions, or look over materials if they are not interested in exploring the option.
Meeting face to face in a recruitment fair hosted in the students’ home country, ensures better communication, increased engagement and commitment, and fewer resources spent on looky-loos.
To learn more about the benefits of high school recruitment fairs in our recent blog post on Types of Recruitment Fairs for Colleges and Universities HERE.
Talk About Futures
Students want to know why they should choose your school over one right next door. Be sure to point out your institutions best features and share those with the students. For example, our school offers clubs and after class groups, for international students to help with things like housing, visas, support, and more. More importantly, share how a degree or diploma from your school can enhance a student’s future - If your school is reputable in a specific industry, if you offer internships, or on the job training.
Share the important details that can help students visualize their future.
Enhance Social Media Strategy
Almost every student that you want to reach is online – but are you connecting with them. Many students use social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) on a daily basis. Students can get to know your school just by sharing updates on your feed. One of the best ways to reach new audiences on social media is to use hashtags. By including some of the popular hashtags related to international students, you can recruit just by posting a new picture! Some of the most popular hashtags to target undergraduate international students are:
#undergrad #undergraduate #collegelife #universitylife #studyabroad #studyinternational #internationaltravel #internationalstudent #internationalstudentlife
You can then invite students to like or follow your page to increase their familiarity with your school.
How Can Your College or University Easily Recruit International Students?
There is no trick or easy way to recruit international students. Your school and admissions staff needs to be prepared to open up and be the guide for a new student. This can be done by offering one on one meetings or conference calls, sending personalized information to students, and speaking with both the student and parents about their future. To do so, you need to get in touch with interested students – and the easiest way to get in touch with a student is face to face – nothing beats the human connection. Our international recruitment tours offer a comfortable setting (for the students and the exhibitors) to meet, interact, and decide on their future together.
Let’s not forget about having the right staff. It is imperative that the admissions and recruiting staff is helpful and inviting.
For international students, the decision of studying abroad can be a scary thing. Students are planning to leave everything they know and effectively change their lives forever. If your school is looking to recruit international students, the best thing that you can do is help support their decision.
Interested in Getting Your College or University More International Students?
We recently opened up our Spring 2019 college and university recruitment tours. Check out our tour schedule HERE. If you’re ready to register for our events, please call us at (416) 384-1837 or click HERE tour details
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