How do you build out an international recruitment plan in the current climate? There is more than one way to connect with students around the world. UTA uses a combination of virtual and online communication, travel and agents to build out the prospective student population. Hear more about our success and failure in international student recruitment. No matter your size, budget or location we can help you connect with prospective international students. Presenters: Samantha Stewart & Andrea Yen

1. International Recruitment 101
Samantha Stewart & Andrea Yen
UTA’S Graduate Business Services

2.  11% of UTA student population
is international
 Majority from India
 Graduate Recruitment became
centralized in 2013, inherited
from the Graduate School
 Office of International Education
had done some international
recruitment
 “as needed”
 We had no idea what we
were doing!
Some Background

3.  Which countries are the best
pipelines?
 Focusing on quality, not quantity
 Where are self funded students
coming from?
 Expanding to other countries
 China, Africa
Recruitment Goals

4.  Inquiry
 Messages will be country specific
 What are students most interested in?
 Program, Cost, Prestige?
 Applicant
 Most similar piece to domestic population
 Be clear and concise
 Yield
 #YouAreWelcomeHere
Communications

5.  We asked the students:
 Newly enrolled undergraduate and graduate international
students
 What information would you have liked to receive as you made
your decision to choose UTA?
 What information would you have liked to received as you
prepared to travel?
 What was the most challenging part about preparing to travel to
the US?
 What was the most challenging part of your first few days on
campus?
 What was the most helpful resource?
Focus Groups

6.  Immunizations
 Documents to carry with you
 Weather/ what to pack
 Student groups to connect to. Rides from airport,
housing, etc.
Communications
Preparing for Arrival

7.  Transportation
 How to get a Driver’s
License/Buy a car/Car Insurance
 How to transfer funds
 Weather conditions
 How to get a cell phone
 How to open a bank account
 How to get a SSN
Communications
You arrived… now what?

8. Communications
 Orientation
 Campus tour, department outreach
 Temporary Accommodations
 Are there options on campus?
 Some hotels will not let you book if you are under 21
 Timing
 You will need at least a week to transition and prepare
 You cannot do all orientations, advising, and adjust in two
days
 Stores
 Walmart, Target, International Restaurants
The First Few Days

9.  Virtual Fairs
 Online Info Sessions
 Inquiries and Admits
 Live Chats
 Facebook
 School’s App
 Facebook Live
 Private Messages
Online Recruitment

10.  Be Prepared for Weird Hours
 A lot of ours begin at 3am, 5am, 7pm, 9pm
 Equip Your Staff
 FAQs to cut & paste
Online Recruitment
Things to Remember

12.  Can be very effective
for overall strategy
 Provide in country
representation
 Insight to local
markets
 Established
relationships
 Must invest in the
relationship
 Dedicated staff to vet
agencies and train
 Cost
Agencies & Partnerships

13. • Fairs/Tours
– One lump sum, typically includes housing,
transportation, food, etc
– 300 students up to 4,500 per stop
• School Presentations
– Anywhere from 5 students to 600 students
• Making Contacts
– Agencies, school officials at the fair
International Travel

15. • On the Spot Admissions
– Pre-application
– Scan documents on the spot
– Faculty make instant decision
• Receptions
– Invite alumni from the area
– Admitted students from the surrounding area
– Formal welcoming speech
International Travel

17. Fall 2017- Fairs/School Presentations Spring 2018- On The Spot Admissions

18. • Cannot issue on the spot I-20’s
• Long, long days
– Fall 2017: 12 flights in 15 days, typically 12 hour days
– Spring 2018- 10 flights in 12 days
• Food differences
– Granola bars
– Crystal Light
International Travel
Reminders/Heads Up

19. Resources
 EducationUSA- https://educationusa.state.gov
 EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400
international student advising centers in more than 170 countries
 WENR- https://wenr.wes.org/
 World Education News & Reviews (WENR) is an authoritative news and
information source for professionals in international education
 AIRC- https://www.airc-education.org
 The American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) works to
safeguard the interests of both international students and enrolling
institutions through the promotion of ethical, standards-based international
recruitment strategies
 Open Door Report- https://www.iie.org/

20. Questions?
Samantha Stewart
Samantha.stewart@uta.edu
Andrea Yen
Andrea.yen@uta.edu