An International Strategy Means More than Enrollment Numbers

Higher education in the United States, like boarding schools in the secondary education sector, become an increasingly internationalized business.  Students from abroad, particularly from Asia, are essential to many enrollment management plans.  But, as a Chronicle of Higher Education article from June 3, 2011, points out, serving international students is itself a changing business.

In particular, increasing international numbers means adding support and acculturation services uniquely designed to meet the needs of students far from home and in a cultural milieu that differs dramatically from where they grew up.  Not surprisingly, a decade or two of field experience also indicates that younger students require the most support, a finding with serious implications for boarding schools.

Our take on this research: it is not enough just to have an international enrollment strategy, however essential it might be to a school's bottom line.  Just as important is providing the support services necessary to make both the program and student a success.