Engagement Doesn’t Stop After Recruitment
Mar. 1, 2013 at 10:24 AM | By Daniela Locreille | Comment Count
International student recruitment is more than just recruiting warm bodies to fulfill enrollment numbers. International students offer host institutions and communities an enriched educational experience and a value dynamic that brings a unique perspective on culture, education systems, values, and access to a growing international network of alumni. Although many institutions across the globe are successful at attracting international candidates to their campus, some fall short of providing effective support services to assist in a student’s academic and social transition. In fact, international students often report a sense of isolation and loneliness within the social framework of their host university.
Today, schools have implemented academic and social enrichment programs to help with international student integration but these programs typically do not extend past a student’s time on campus; again, contributing to detachment and isolation from the campus community. Colleges and universities need to think beyond recruitment and develop services and programs that will keep international students engaged throughout all stages of their international experience.
How to Use Social Media to Engage with International Students and Alumni
- Know where your international students are and create a profile. Just because Twitter and Facebook are the most popular social networks in the U.S., doesn’t mean they are the most popular in other countries. Here’s a list of popular social networks in other countries.
- Create a social community using Linkedin or Facebook Groups. Feeling really ambitious? Try developing your own social network specifically for international students and alumni.
- Promote. Invite your international students and alumni to engage by promoting your profiles on your website and in marketing and communications materials.
- Does your institution sponsor events specifically for international students and alumni? Speak with attendees about your social media efforts and ask if they know of other students or alumni who would be interested in joining.
- Blog, but only if you have the resources to maintain a consistent supply of content that offers value to your international constituents. *Tip: Ask alum to blog about their experience.
- Have you heard of Livestream? Livestream is a great application that allows users to record and stream presentations and events in real time. *These recordings can be repurposed for other engagement initiatives.
- Check out the U.S. Department of State’s new online platform for international alumni.
- Start a weekly Tweet Chat. Tweet chats are live conversations held on a regular basis on Twitter using a designated hashtag. Check out college financial aid advisor, Jodi Okun’s, weekly tweet chat #collegecash to learn how.
- Use Google Hangouts to host virtual events and presentations. *Tip: Coordinate presentations by international student ambassadors providing monthly updates about campus events and news for alumni.
- Join Hobsons’ Virtual Student Fairs network.
