International student recruitment is hard work. So, when there’s help to be had, it’s silly not to take advantage... right?
No, we’re not talking about hiring Intead to help you craft the perfect marketing plan (although...).
What we’re talking about right now is affordable, in-country support that not enough universities are using. We describe these options (and so much more) in our updated 88 Ways to Recruit International Students.
That's right! The SECOND edition of our seminal ebook is now available as part of the Intead Plus membership. Fun fact: more than 8,000 of your global colleagues downloaded the first edition. And as part of the package, you'll have access to our exclusive webinar with Karin Fischer where we will reveal our latest findings about Indian and Chinese parents' perspectives. Gain a few new insights into what these important decision makers are thinking about a U.S. education for their children. Sign up now for the June 26 webinar.
The best-kept secrets we’re diving into in today's blog post are US government resources that can make a big impact on your recruitment efforts—and are accessible even if you’re on a budget. Please read on...
EducationUSA
EducationUSA is a network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries, organized by the U.S. Department of State. The program serves to help students around the world access accurate information about postsecondary institutions in the U.S., and to help American colleges and universities connect with potential students.
For students interested in pursuing an American education, EducationUSA offers advice on navigating the admissions process, visa processes, and finances.
For educational institutions, EducationUSA provides a valuable source of information and brand-building opportunities. Their well-attended and highly-regarded forum in Washington, DC, is a must attend for institutions taking their recruitment efforts seriously. Take a look at your calendar: it's July 30-August 1. You can make it, right?
Here are just a few of the other services EducationUSA offers:
- Request a login and submit information about your institution, which will be searchable by prospective students. Registered institutions can also access 170 free country fact sheets.
- Got some international travel coming up? Check out their list of upcoming student fairs and events, some of which are relatively low-cost (or even free) for U.S. institutions to attend.
- Find assistance navigating the world of foreign government scholarships.
- EducationUSA advisors work in advising centers around the world, meeting with prospective students about educational opportunities in the U.S. You can even host an EducationUSA advisor on your campus, giving the advisor a better understanding of your institution that will allow them to speak to students about you more knowledgeably.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) “Gold Key” Matching Service
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) specializes in servicing and promoting companies and institutions of all types. While EducationUSA is intended to be an informational resource for students, the Department of Commerce is more…well, commercial!
Think of Gold Key Service as the opportunity to hire an international “fixer”: a knowledgeable person who can arrange meetings with pre-screened contacts abroad.
For a modest fee, the DOC will coordinate meetings with international recruitment agents (in-person or online), arrange local receptions in countries around the world, and introduce you to other on-the-ground connections you may not even know to seek out.
Gold Key Service is available to all U.S. companies, and is often used by manufacturers looking to export goods. For this reason, many academic institutions do not realize that the service is also relevant and available for higher ed.
Gold Key Service provides arrangements for up to five such meetings. The fee? Just $2,300-$3,400, depending on the size of your institution. And, there are more advantages to using the Commercial Service. Worth taking a look!
Hungry for more help?
If these ideas have got you wondering what other international recruitment resources you may be overlooking, you’ve got reading to do! You’ve already learned about two of our 88 Ways to Recruit International Students – but that means you’ve got 86 more ideas to devour. Here's where you go to get the second edition of our most popular ebook: Intead Plus
