scholarly journals The impact of social media on international student recruitment: the case of Lebanon

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demetris Vrontis ◽  
Sam El Nemar ◽  
Ammar Ouwaida ◽  
S.M. Riad Shams
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Recruitment ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Simple Random Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Student Recruitment ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand and accentuate the value of social media in international student recruitment in Lebanese higher education institutions (HEIs). This study analyses the significance of social media and the changes occurring in the means of communicating with the potential international students, with an aim to understand how the HEIs could adapt with the changes to implement a model of engagement to include social media as a fundamental constituent of the Lebanese HEIs’ international student recruitment strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers carried out a study through quantitative descriptive approach by using a probabilistic simple random sample and a self-administered questionnaire on 230 international students from several universities and colleges in Lebanon as a data collection method.FindingsThe findings demonstrated a certain level of engagement in social media networks from the part of the students during their search for college or university and course information. Research showed that international students still prefer the traditional sources, apart from social media, during their search. Among traditional media sources, friend, family and university website were the highest in ranking. Among social media sources, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube showed the highest ranks. Most students have, indeed, contacted a friend or a university staff for university course information by using social media sites.Practical implicationsFor managerial practice, this is an incentive for institutions of higher education to re-evaluate and assess the effective impact of social media on the recruitment of international students and to regulate their social media marketing strategies. For research in international education, the insights of this study are useful to explore further research avenues in the area of capacity building for business innovation, marketing and quality assurance in higher education in the cross-cultural context.Originality/valueThis study offers insights on the implications of social media for international student recruitment strategies in a particular Lebanese context of HEIs.

Customer Orientation in Higher Education: The Missing Link in International Student Recruitment?

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Julia Vauterin ◽  
Lassi Linnanen ◽  
Esa Marttila
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Recruitment ◽  
International Higher Education ◽  
International Student Recruitment ◽  
Strategic Relationships ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
University Industry ◽  
University Industry Linkages

This paper suggests that the service mindset of academia needs attention to ensure that the potential of university–industry linkages for creating value is used strategically in building advantage in the increasingly competitive market for international higher education. Universities should clearly articulate the value of the higher education–employability interface in the context of growing competition for international students. The paper studies university–industry linkages by deconstructing the relationship with a focus on university–industry service interactions in international higher education service delivery and use and by analysing the relationship elements and dynamics that affect the market for international student recruitment, placements and employability. The relationship marketing paradigm is applied to explain that, by adopting a market-driven, customer-oriented mindset, universities could build strategic relationships with industry, communicate their international higher education services to industry better and more forcefully and develop competitive advantage in attracting and retaining international students.

International Student Experiences in Non-Native-English-Speaking Countries: Postgraduate Motivations and Realities from Finland

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alper Calikoglu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Recruitment ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
International Student Recruitment ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Native English Speaking

Globally, international student recruitment has become one of the prominent topics of higher education. In addition to the leading native-speaking English world, several non-native-English-speaking countries have reshaped their higher education system to attract more international students. Finland is one of the non-native-English-speaking countries having instituted a change in international student recruitment policy. This study seeks to improve the understanding of the experiences of international students in non-native-English-speaking countries by focusing on postgraduate-level students at a selected university in Finland. Following a phenomenological viewpoint, 11 students were interviewed on their motivations and expectations for studying abroad, and what challenges they have encountered. The findings indicate that education quality and free higher education are important motivations for choosing to study abroad in Finland. Moreover, international students encounter academic, social, financial and psychological challenges and have concerns about their future career in a non-native-English-speaking country.

scholarly journals International Student Recruitment: Trends and Challenges

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santa Falcone
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Chinese Student ◽  
Student Recruitment ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
International Student Recruitment ◽  
International Graduates

This paper provides a review of current trends in international student recruitment. Focusing specifically on recruitment of Chinese students, important aspects of China’s educational system relevant to recruitment are presented. Barriers to Chinese student recruitment are then discussed. Successful, employed, international graduates validate domestic institutional value to prospective foreign students and their parents. In that regard, guidance is then offered for domestic universities to use to assist international students to achieve their desired outcomes as an integral part of the institution’s international student recruitment strategy.

International student perceptions of experience in the West

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Robert Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
American Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this exploratory study is an examination of some perceptions of US education, as experienced by foreign MBA students. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal field study captured perceptions of a group of 51 international students over a one-year interval. The first anticipatory survey was done in India, and the follow-up was made in the USA at the end of a foreign sojourn semester. Inter-item correlations and t-tests were used to examine variance in student perceptions, highlighted by qualitative elements. Findings In general, the students went home, less impressed than they had expected to be in terms of the perceived general quality of the American business education, as well as their abilities to make friends with the local people. Additionally, the observed preparation of the American students for master’s studies was not nearly as high as the foreign students had anticipated. Research limitations/implications Results are not generalizable to broad populations, as the sample was small and localized. Social implications Emerging markets are successfully luring locals and sojourners based on cost and proximity as they achieve greater legitimacy in their institutional credentials. This could challenge the preeminence of Western higher education, especially in light of concerns arising from marketization and rigor. Meanwhile, developed market institutions need to be strategically mindful of their international guests as a resource rather than a commodity. Originality/value Extant internationalization studies tend to focus on administrative viewpoints, whereas this research examines the perspective of international students, which may be indicative of lessening gaps between perceptions of quality of developed and emerging market higher education.

Shaping the future of a globalized world

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Burkhardt ◽  
Elisabeth E. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cultural Interactions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how everyday cross-cultural interactions affected the adjustment of undergraduate international students attending a private university in the northeastern United States of America. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected primarily through interviews with nine international students and observations at “Eastern University”. Students were purposively selected to balance gender and world regions. Analysis used constant comparison until findings emerged, which were member-checked with study participants (Merriam, 2009). Findings – Findings show that the impact of university diversity initiatives for promoting everyday cross-cultural interactions is described as creating an us/them divide, promoting solidarity and establishing a cultural presence. It is concluded that formal university events foster recognition of the campus diversity international students help provide, but their impact on everyday cross-cultural interactions is both positive and negative. Additionally, the mode by which undergraduate international students are introduced to their US campus affects their integration and future interaction patterns. Research limitations/implications – Further research is needed to explore higher education institutions (HEIs)’ connection to human resource development (HRD) for shaping the future global arena. Studies that address the continuum from higher education to the workforce are needed to prepare the next generation of professionals for a global world. This study is limited due to small sample size. Findings are not generalizable in a statistical sense, but HRD professionals in HEIs may compare the details in this study with their own institutions. Originality/value – This study contributes to the discussion of national HRD by addressing international students and their insights into how diversity programs impact adjustment in an American setting. Additionally, organizational and faculty development initiatives in academic institutions can be improved by understanding the insights found in this study.

scholarly journals Impact of Covid-19 on International Student Support

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo ◽  
Brett Perozzi ◽  
Birgit Schreiber ◽  
Thierry Luescher
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Student Affairs ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Support ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Exploratory Survey ◽  
Return Home ◽  
Primary Groups ◽  
The Impact

The Covid-19 pandemic caused unique challenges to international students. Student Affairs and Services (SAS) across the higher education sector played a key role in supporting students and institutions during the pandemic. This article reports the findings of an exploratory survey with SAS practitioners from around the globe on the ways in which SAS responded to the pandemic and sought to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on students in general and international students specifically. The results demonstrate that international students were among the primary groups of students impacted by the pandemic. Specific challenges identified include mental wellbeing, inability to return home, financial hardships, fear, and uncertainty. Discrimination of certain groups was also noted. SAS intervened to assist international students in navigating these challenges across world regions, including services declared essential for international student support. Finally, financial implications and the future of international student support are explored.

2. The Neoliberal and Neoracist Potentialities of International Doctoral Student of Color Admissions in Graduate Education Programs

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-53
Author(s):  
Dian Squire
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Students Of Color ◽  
International Student ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
International Student Recruitment ◽  
Knowledge Regime ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
The University

Abstract The increasing internationalization and globalization of higher education exist in relation to a globalized capitalistic economy driven by neoliberal ideologies. Based on neoliberal and neoracist theory, this essay begins a conversation on the ways that the recruitment and admissions of graduate-level international students of color in Education programs bolsters the academic capitalist/ knowledge regime to the detriment of understanding the nuances of the human experience on college campuses. International students are recruited from countries with high economic potential, admitted to producing prestige-bolstering outputs, exploited to provide financial capital to the university, and treated as dehumanized commodities. This essay, therefore, peels away layers exposing the related and perceived purposes of international student recruitment and the neglectful treatment of those students. It points to a nuanced understanding of international admissions that must be considered in higher education.

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