Market, recruit, teach and employ: strategies for recruitment and student mobility

Researchers from the USA, UK, and Korea provide a critique of student mobility programs that indicate 1) specific student groups have greater representation in mobility programs than do others, and 2) that current retention models used in higher education do not adequately address intercultural learning or prepare students to translate their learning for employability. This presentation showcases exemplary strategies ground in research that will improve recruitment efforts and learning outcomes,Prospects of increased revenue that underpin the landscape of international higher education influences who studies where (institutional type and location), what field of study (discipline/program) and for what reasons (economic, social, cultural, political). The number of countries that are involved in international student recruitment has increased mobility programs (Becker & Kolser, 2012) and global competition for students (and especially the best among them) will likely intensify in the future (Altbach, Reisberg, & Rumbley, 2009). Current research clearly indicates, however, that specific student groups are better represented in student mobility programs more so than others, serving the most advantaged among us. Further, the programming offered to those who do participate in mobility programs frequently falls short on achieving intercultural learning outcomes. Consequently, a student’s ability to articulate and translate those outcomes to potential employers is often not addressed. Situated in current research on student mobility, this session highlights 1) Retromarketing strategy designed to recruit hard-to-reach students and 2) a model intercultural learning program, Reel to Real, whereby students are better positioned to mobilize their new skills and articulate their learning for increased employability. Participants will apply and discuss key principles of these exemplary models to case studies and identify effective strategies for their student mobility programs.