Finding a competent and professional agent for international student recruitment takes time. If you are ambitiously seeking to internationalize your student mix you might need more than 1 representative that works with different markets, countries or continents.
However, a great agent is not a magical creature – putting some effort can get you a good database with excellent agents. You only need to know where to look for them.
So, where can you find an international student recruitment agent?
It looks like quite an obvious option. If you do want to have trustworthy agents, you should search for them only via reputable organisation like the British Council, that actually accredits such agents.
It is quite common that international student recruitment agencies do not work within this field directly or exclusively. For instance, a language school that offers courses in English will probably have programs offering practical learning opportunities abroad. Same goes with other types of specialised schools (i.e. business schools).
One of the ways to avoid fraud in recruitment is to share the lists of agents that work with a particular university. This way the students are informed and know if the agent actually represents the university. Take a look at those lists and ask the university for a recommendation. You may not only get a great agent but also make a valuable contact.
A place to meet recruitment agents in person and discuss pressing matters with fellow educators is always so much better than chatting online or reading blog posts. Trust is built when eye contact is made. Such seminars provide a great opportunity for exchanging experience and recommendations.
How did you pick your student recruitment agent? Do you have more than one?
How much time did you spend on collecting information and finally signing a contract?
If you would do it again, would you change your approach?
Share your experience with other educators in the comment section!
Education Agent Fairs: Why do you have to attend them?
A very useful article. I would also add that US Universities in particular should make their agency use transparent, and place lists of their agents on their website (already mandated in Australia and Canada). As you suggest, this can also serve for other universities to seek out potential partners, but it also lets their potential students know who is a vetted, trained partner. Because agency use was not common in the past decades, US universities are still catching up to establishing best practices.
Hi Anna, thanks for your comment! We are very happy that you find this article useful and we also strongly believe in transparency as the foundation of genuine quality in networking for international student recruitment. Referring to agents is for some countries the best way to access students trust and attention but you are absolutely right when you say that US Universities are in some cases not ready to make the best out of a solid cooperation with partner agencies.
Stay tuned for more posts on cooperation between institutions and agents!