Engaging Returnee Students to Promote Study Abroad

2010 NAFSA Region 6 Conference 7-9 November 2010 Indianapolis

Introductions

• Laura Rudolph – Indiana University

• Jill Reister – University of Cincinnati

• Sarah Wolf – Australian Trade Commission

• Overseas Study has used Peer Counselors (PCs) in some capacity for nearly 20 years

• Expanded number of PC positions when the Information Center opened in 2000-2001.

• Peer Counselors became the “face” of Overseas Study & extension of professional staff

• Overseas Study hires 10 peer counselors for the main office and 2 students for the business school each year.

• Peer Counselor appointments are for an academic year.

• PCs are chosen based on interview qualities & program type. We try to have a balance of programs (length, location & type) and reflection of male/female participation.

• Requires independence, initiative, and strong communication skills

• Training: – Provided Peer Counselor

Handbook– Multiple intensive training

sessions in first month, refresher training in January

• Contact: – Weekly PC Update e-newsletter:

News, tabling locations, presentations

• Input:– PC Team- Supervisors, office

administrator & one Peer Counselor representative

• Information Center (M-F) • On-campus tabling (M-R)• Presentations & Events• Study Abroad 101• Pre-Departure Orientations• Bulletin boards• E-Newsletters• Application interviews• Freshman Orientation• Social media

- “From I to U” Study Abroad Blog: www.iuoverseas.wordpress.com

- Facebook: www.facebook.com/iuoverseas - Twitter: www.twitter.com/iuoverseas - YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/iuoverseas - Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/iuoverseas

“I am an RA and requested that PCs present at a program for my floor. The two peer counselors that came to talk were wonderful. They were personable, funny, engaging, and well-informed. Thanks for sending them our way!”

“The peer counselors were friendly and willing to help in any way they could. As soon as I came through the door, they were ready to assist me.”

“They were extremely helpful in figuring out what I exactly needed to turn in to complete my application. We went over a checklist and put all my application materials in order...I felt confident that everything was done that needed to be done.”

• In our survey, ¼ of the students who responded had an interaction with a PC outside of the office.

• PCs reached nearly 1,800 students in presentations & more than 5,500 in the Information Center in ‘09-’10.

• Experienced steady growth and increasing numbers, due to better promotional efforts, including PCs.

“The girl peer counselor that answered my questions was extremely friendly and helpful!”

“It was nice to talk to a student who's been abroad!”

1. The Millennial generation needs more hands-on guidance, including Peer Counselors.

2. It doesn’t matter how much training you provide, someone will provide incorrect information or advice.

3. There are pros and cons to Peer Counselors representing the office.

“I would have liked someone to find a program [for me], instead of having to look through all the binders myself.”

“I was a bit worried the student who was working was going to lose my paperwork or put it in the wrong place.”

It was really interesting to flip through all of the informational binders. However, it would be helpful if the students working in the office could direct questions they cannot answer to someone who could answer them.

“It was nice to talk to a student who's been abroad, but I would have liked to talk with a professional too.”

Laura RudolphCommunications Coordinator

lamrudo@indiana.edu

PC Handbook, Application Materials,& Training Materials

Office of Overseas Study601 E. Kirkwood Ave.

Bloomington, IN 47405

www.indiana.edu/~overseas

overseas@indiana.edu

Engaging Returnees to Market Study Abroad

Jill ReisterEducation Abroad Program Manager

University of Cincinnati

Ways UC gets Returnees Involved

• Photo Contest• Students for Study Abroad• Peer Advisors• Volunteer for events• Exchange Student Buddy Program

Photo Contest• Both for students that study abroad

and international students taking photos in the US

• Photographic Services office on campus judges photos based on quality, uniqueness and reflection of an international experience

• 1st, 2nd 3rd Prizes for both US and International students

• Also a “Peoples Choice” award that all students vote on during the spring Worldfest International Festival

Photo Contest

• Benefits to the Student– Cash Prizes– Share their experiences with others

• Benefits to the International Office– Students share their experience with

advisors– Great marketing tool

• Photos can be used in publications, power point presentations, facebook and on the web

Students for Study Abroad

• 2004: returnee students started a club to promote study abroad and meet other students that have similar interests

• Advisor for the club is in the International Office • University sponsored organization

– Website linked on student activities page– Receives funding from the university– Open to all students – Meets regularly on campus– Gets involved in other university sponsored activities

SSA: Spreading the Word About the World

SSA Events• Info tables on study abroad and flyers on campus• International dinners • International movie nights• Salsa Dancing and other ethnic activities• Bake sale at Programs Abroad Expo• Sent care packages to club members that study abroad• Participation in International Education Week and Worldfest• Weekend trips with International Students

Students for Study Abroad

• Benefits to the Student– Make friends that like to travel– Get involved on campus – Leadership opportunities– Fun, social events– Reentry processing

• Benefits to the International office– Students constantly market Study Abroad– Students willing to help with events and programming– Students study abroad multiple times– Good pool of students to recruit for student workers, peer advisors

and other programs

Peer Advisors

• Help advise students about programs in the Study Abroad Library

• Give first hand information based on their personal experiences

• Can do special projects to help the office

• Sit at info tables in the student center

Peer Advisors• Benefits to the Student

– Draw from their own experiences to help other students have their own unique experiences abroad

– Get involved on campus – Improve leadership, teamwork, interpersonal communication and public

speaking skills– Learn about all kinds of education abroad opportunities – Build close relationships with university personnel– Possible credit, stipend, hourly wage, free lunches, and other incentives

• Benefits to the International office– Time– Students willing to help with events and programming– Students can give personal feedback about programs– Other students often relate well with students their own age

Volunteers for Events

• Programs Abroad Expo– Hang posters, assist reps, pass

out programs, collect evaluations, set up and clean up

• International Education Week– Stamp “passports”, collect evals

• Worldfest– Pass out food, market study

abroad

Volunteers for Events

• Benefits to the Student– Get involved in International Events– Learn more about programs and opportunities– Get service hour credit for scholarships

• Benefits to the International Office– Higher attendance at events– Get input from volunteers as to how to improve

Exchange Student Buddy Program• Exchange students are given UC buddies

– Domestic students are matched with exchange students based on country or major preferences

– Multiple US students are given to each international• Buddy Welcome Party at the beginning of each

quarter– Ice breakers, scavenger hunt around campus, activities,

and food– Suggestions are given so they can do things together

throughout the year• Other events throughout the year

Exchange Student Buddy Program• Benefits to the Student

– Integration between home and international students– Return students can give back what other

international students may have done for them when they were abroad

– International students are welcomed by American students before classes even start

– Buddies become life long friends!• Benefits to the International Office

– Great way to market exchange programs– Less time spent solving problems with exchange

students– Students show exchange students around campus,

take them to the bookstore and help them get settled into campus life

– Students plan social activities for exchange students so they are happier and spend less time in the international office

Australian Student Ambassador Program

Presenter: Sarah Wolf, Education Manager

Peer-to-peer marketing

• Concept: alumni as on-the-ground promoters  

• Returnee students are enthusiastic about sharing their experiences and willing to do so on a voluntary basis

• Prospective students are highly influenced by other students' experiences

• Peers provide a more authentic picture of what studying in another country is really like

Australian Student Ambassador Program

• Program established in 2007

• Open to students who have studied in Australia (study abroad and full degree)

• Up to 35 students can participate/academic year

• Jointly nominated by Australian and North American advisors

• All students interviewed over phone

• All students required to participate in two-day orientation in Washington, DC

Program Requirements

• Run minimum two events/activities per semester or four per academic year

• Participate in Student Ambassador Facebook group• Submit Event Approval form to Embassy and gain

approval (including budget)• Submit Report on Event form to Embassy and post

on Facebook group• Send in receipts for reimbursement (pre-approved

expenses only)• Follow up with event participants by email/FB

Expanded Outreach

Embassy of Australia Washington, DC

Australian High Commission Ottawa, ON

Expanded Outreach

Embassy of Australia Washington, DC

Australian High Commission Ottawa, ON

Australian ConsulateToronto, ON

Australian ConsulateVancouver, BC

Australian ConsulateSan Francisco, CA

Australian ConsulateLos Angeles, CA

Australian ConsulateHonolulu, HI

Australian ConsulateAtlanta, GA

Australian ConsulateNew York, NYAustralian Consulate

Chicago, IL

Expanded Outreach

Embassy of Australia Washington, DC

Australian High Commission Ottawa, ON

Australian ConsulateToronto, ON

Australian ConsulateVancouver, BC

Australian ConsulateSan Francisco, CA

Australian ConsulateLos Angeles, CA

Australian ConsulateHonolulu, HI

Australian ConsulateAtlanta, GA

Australian ConsulateNew York, NYAustralian Consulate

Chicago, IL

2010-11 Australian Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassador Program Outcomes

24 student ambassadors completed 101 events, reaching 5,400 students

37% of study abroad advisors reported an increase in interest in studying in Australia

20% of study abroad advisors reported an increase in student mobility to Australia

Outreach for Australian universities:• 100% of Australian institutions contacted their ambassador• 58% visited their ambassador while in North America• 46% asked their ambassador to participate in events

Student Ambassador Events

What We’ve Learned

• Students who perform well have close relationship with study abroad office

• Students who organise events early in year, organise more events

• Advisors appreciate progress reports on student and bi-monthly updates

• Tough to judge student from telephone interview – rely on nomination from advisors

Best Practices

• Mentorship program – support for new students/alumni like to stay involved

• Keep in frequent contact with ambassadors to keep them on track (email, phone calls, Facebook group)

• Hold orientation program

• Incentives not necessary but nice

For more information, visittinyurl.com/y8vne7g