Using Social Media to Build Relationships with International Students

Kayla Maule, MSOE UniversityKaterina Roskina, China Credential Services

2.789 Billion Social Media Users

WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

DO YOU USE WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

What Social Media are YOU Using to Interact with Your International Students?

WhatsApp

EuropeMiddle East

AfricaIndia

South AmericaCentral America

WeChat/Weixin微信

China

Sina Weibo/微博

China

?

South Korea

Line

Japan, Taiwan

Viber

Nepal, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Russia

FacebookMessenger

Canada, some Europe, Australia,

Mongolia

Instagram

Russia, Brazil, Turkey, UK

SnapChat

Europe, Middle East, South America

Twitter

India, Indonesia, Japan

Odnoklassniki

Russia, Ukraine

VKontakte

Russia, Ukraine

Social Media and…

… RECRUITMENT

Recruitment Use of Social Media

•Recruitment Fairs

- QR Codes Readily Available

- Creating Contacts

- Early engagement

- Connecting Quickly

•Leads Received from Other Sources

Social Media and…

… ADMISSIONS

Admissions Use of Social Media

•Upon Receipt of Applications:

- Add to Database

- Engage over Social Media to Encourage Submission of Documents

- Answer Student Questions in Real Time

- Gauging English Proficiency

Social Media…

… POST-ENROLLMENT

Social Media Post-Acceptance:

•WeChat/WhatsApp Groups to Engage Accepted Students• Involve Current Students to Drive Conversation•Post Links to Events/Happenings•Send General Messages- Reinforcing Information Sent by Email- Eliminating Repeat Questions•Keep Students Engaged and Connected

Social Media…

… ON CAMPUS

Social Media on Campus:

•Checking in, Sharing Arrival/Delay Information

• Information about Meetings During Welcome Week

•Managing Student Flow to the Office by Answering Questions via Social Media

•Alternative to Email for Daily Communication

Time Commitment

85% Prospective Students VS

15% Current Students

TO CHAT OR NOT TO CHAT?

THE DISADVANTAGES OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Parents and Social Media

- Parents Engaged =

Students Enrolled? - Dispelling Myths & Educating

- 2ND “Layer of Defence”- Keeping Parents Posted without Violating FERPA

Summary

• Different Social Media for Different Countries of Origin• Social Media in Recruitment: Forging Relationships, Accessibility• Social Media in Admissions: Encouraging Submission of Documents and

Answering Questions• Social Media Post-Acceptance: Engaging, Informing, Reinforcing, Utilizing

Current Students• Social Media on Campus: Updates, Meeting Reminders, Managing Student

Flow, Reinforcing Emails• Disadvantages of Social Media Engagement: Unrealistic Expectations, Lack

of Boundaries• Parent Engagement via Social Media: Building Relationships, Keeping

Posted, Utilizing Parental Influence