The strategic alliance aims to revolutionize the recruitment efforts of U.S. colleges by expanding their outreach to attract a more diverse pool of international undergraduate students
The strategic alliance aims to revolutionize the recruitment efforts of U.S. colleges by expanding their outreach to attract a more diverse pool of international undergraduate students
BridgeU, a college and career guidance platform for international K-12 schools, has teamed up with EAB, a provider of higher education solutions.
The strategic alliance aims to revolutionize the recruitment efforts of U.S. colleges by expanding their outreach to attract a more diverse pool of international undergraduate students, according to a press release.
BridgeU CEO Lucy Stonehill emphasized the desirability of U.S. colleges for international students seeking global education opportunities.
“By partnering with EAB, BridgeU will be able to work closely with many more US colleges to build meaningful, strategic relationships that ensure students have the tools, guidance, and information needed to make the right decisions about their future,” she said.
Through this partnership with EAB, BridgeU aims to establish close ties with a broader spectrum of U.S. higher education institutions, fostering strategic relationships that provide students with the necessary tools, guidance, and information for informed decision-making about their academic future.
Addressing recruitment challenges
Meanwhile, EAB President of Marketing and Enrollment Solutions Chris Marett acknowledged the challenges faced by U.S. colleges in recruiting international students within a fiercely competitive global higher education landscape.
“Colleges can now work with EAB to connect with the BridgeU global community, giving them a more effective way to reach international students as part of a comprehensive enrollment strategy,” he said.
Global reach
With a network spanning over 140 countries and serving more than 112,000 international high school students, BridgeU offers a comprehensive guidance program to facilitate the complex process of selecting and applying to higher education institutions.
The platform supports students and advisors in navigating the intricacies of international applications while enabling colleges to cultivate diverse and high-quality classes of international undergraduates.
Stonehill cited the increasing significance of the international K-12 school segment as a vital market for U.S. institutions, particularly in light of the projected growth in the international school sector and the impending enrollment challenges facing the United States.
BridgeU is committed to linking global student talent with optimal higher education opportunities worldwide. The platform serves both K-12 schools and universities, leveraging relationships and digital solutions to enhance international student mobility.
Utilized by international K-12 schools in over 140 countries, the BridgeU university and careers guidance platform assist students in making informed decisions about their global higher education and career paths.
Additionally, BridgeU’s partnership services facilitate connections between universities and the world’s largest community of international K-12 schools. These services empower admissions teams to craft student-centric recruitment strategies aligned with institutional enrollment priorities.
Record growth
According to the Open Doors 2023 Report, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education, the United States witnessed a 12 percent increase in international student enrollment during the 2022-23 academic year, reaching over one million students. The surge marks the highest growth rate in over four decades, signifying a significant trend in global educational exchange and student mobility.
Constituting six percent of the total U.S. higher education population, international students contributed a substantial sum of nearly $38 billion to the U.S. economy.
The academic year saw a near-record level of new international student enrollments, with a 14 percent year-over-year surge to 298,523 students, surpassing pre-pandemic figures.
Widespread growth was observed across all U.S. states and territories, with 48 states reporting an increase in international student numbers.
China and India retained their positions as the top-sending countries, and other nations also experienced significant increases.
Additionally, the Open Doors report revealed a resurgence in U.S. international study programs, surpassing halfway pre-pandemic levels in the 2021-22 academic year. Key destinations included Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France, with expectations of a continued increase in study abroad totals for the 2022-23 academic year and beyond.
U.S. higher education institutions also reported an eight percent increase in international students across all academic levels and Optional Practical Training, with India remaining a top priority for undergraduate and graduate recruitment in the Fall 2023 semester.
Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Lee Satterfield noted the pivotal role of international education in promoting peace and cross-cultural connections, addressing shared challenges globally.
