Global Guide 2018 2018 GLOBAL GUIDE GLOBAL 2018 2018 GLOBAL GUIDE GLOBAL 2018

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov

4 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA.state.gov The Global Guide is a publication of the U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA Global Advising Network, produced by the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE) under a cooperative agreement. Unless otherwise noted, student mobility statistics The Western Hemisphere (WHA) has 142 the Caribbean, and South America, Over the past year, WHA EducationUSA are drawn from the 2017 Open Doors Report on International EducationUSA centers: which attract massive crowds of qualified advisers hosted more than 400 webinars Educational Exchange, produced by IIE and sponsored by the • 20 comprehensive, 13 standard, and students interested in study in the United to connect U.S. college and university U.S. Department of State. one reference center in the Andean States. Regional fairs in WHA highlight representatives with local students, sub-region undergraduate, graduate, intensive parents, and counselors to inform them language, and short-term programs; there about U.S. higher education opportunities • 30 comprehensive, 16 standard, and are also specialized fairs and country- and explain the application process. eight reference centers in the North specific tours throughout the region. As U.S. embassies and U.S. HEIs co-host America, Central America, a key public diplomacy tool for U.S. and EducationUSA webinars and viewing and Caribbean sub-region local governments, fairs often include parties for virtual events such as the presence of high-profile government EducationUSA Interactive webinars. • 24 comprehensive, 24 standard, and six officials. EducationUSA centers frequently reference centers in the Southern Cone support Education Trade Missions Advisers use virtual advising to target sub-region and state educational consortia visits non-traditional audiences in remote organized by the U.S. Department of locations like Patagonia, the Galapagos Advising centers in WHA are located at Commerce. EducationUSA advisers in Islands, the Amazon, and the Canadian U.S. embassies and consulates, bi-national the region also support U.S. embassy- Arctic, as well as in countries or areas of centers (BNCs), American Spaces, and consulate-organized alumni fairs at a country in which the current political Fulbright Commissions, local higher which U.S. government officials share and security environment limits the education institutions (HEIs), national their experiences as college or university possibilities of in-person presentations, government ministries, public libraries, students with the public and distribute such as in Venezuela. They use social and non-profit organizations. Four new information about their alma maters. media tools such as Facebook, Google+ centers opened within the past year: Hangouts, Skype, and WhatsApp to three in Brazil (Belo Horizonte, Caxias do EducationUSA advisers participate in local promote EducationUSA services. Sul, and Porto Alegre) and one in Chile as well as commercial fairs organized (Santiago). The region has 156 advisers, by private organizations to promote With at least one EducationUSA Facebook 49 percent of whom are based at BNCs. exchange opportunities in the United fan page in each WHA country and States. EducationUSA advisers at these nearly 300,000 followers, EducationUSA EducationUSA advising centers in the region fairs host information sessions and advisers are expanding their reach offer at least one annual pre-departure interact with the public in the exhibit halls. through increasingly popular social media orientation open to the public either in- platforms such as YouTube and blogs, person or virtually. Advisers collaborate Hosting U.S. HEI representatives is a high demonstrated by a growth of around 55 with consular officers, U.S. higher education priority for WHA EducationUSA advising percent in both views and contacts. admissions, and international student centers. During these visits, advisers set services officers as well as alumni during up group presentations, open houses, Advising centers in the region connect these orientations in an effort to offer one-on-one appointments, and specialized with current international students in comprehensive information to the students workshops for tailored audiences at the as well as alumni of and their families. Centers in countries with EducationUSA centers and partner U.S. institutions and U.S. government foreign government initiatives organize pre- institutions. In addition, EducationUSA programs to support activities such departure orientations tailored to the needs advisers record HEI representatives’ as alumni fairs, cohort advising, and of those programs. workshops, interviews, videos, and podcasts outreach. EducationUSA advisers to share virtually with the public through throughout the WHA region engage EducationUSA fairs take place at least social media outlets. with U.S. students, volunteers, and once a year in Mexico, Central America, professionals to promote the United States as a higher education destination. For example, Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs), Peace Corps Best and Worst Times of the Year to Interact with Volunteers (PCVs), Gilman Scholars, Students (Face to Face and Virtually) and U.S. students studying abroad at local universities collaborate with The academic calendar in WHA varies greatly. In Northern Hemisphere EducationUSA on various levels, whether countries, the academic year runs from August, September, or October to May, delivering writing workshops, tutoring June, or July. In Southern Hemisphere countries, the school year aligns more students in English, or conducting closely with the calendar year, running from February or March to November outreach visits in remote areas. or December. However, a few countries have varied academic years, based on the region. Avoid traveling during Christmas, New Year, and region-specific Many universities overseas continue festivities such as Carnival, Holy Week, and All Saints Day/Day of the Dead. to express interest in developing and Specifically, the recommended times to visit are fall and spring, and strengthening partnerships with U.S. HEIs the best time to recruit in Guatemala is the spring. Check with REACs before to increase academic exchanges between planning a trip to avoid visiting during local holidays. the United States and WHA. To strengthen internationalization efforts, EducationUSA

2 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 77 CONTENTS

Introduction to EducationUSA...... 2

Services for U.S. Higher Education Institutions...... 4

EducationUSA: By the Numbers...... 6

Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) Map...... 6

EducationUSA Advising Center Map...... 8

EducationUSA Advising Center Levels of Service...... 10

Social Media...... 11

EducationUSA Regional Reach Chart...... 12

Sub-Saharan Africa...... 14

East Asia and Pacific...... 22

Europe and Eurasia...... 31

Middle East and North Africa...... 44

South and Central Asia...... 54

Western Hemisphere...... 64

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 1 Introduction to EducationUSA Mission and Structure: EducationUSA is the U.S. Department of State’s global network of international student advising centers located in nearly every country of the world. The Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) oversees the program as part of its mission to build mutual understanding among the people of the United States and the people of other countries. EducationUSA promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited colleges and universities in the United States. It also provides services to the U.S. higher education community to help meet recruitment and campus internationalization goals. EducationUSA centers are located at U.S. embassies and consulates, Fulbright Commissions, bi-national cultural centers, non- governmental organizations, and foreign universities and libraries.

Regional Educational Advising advice about developing regional and program each year and receive millions of Coordinators country-specific recruitment strategies, dollars in scholarship offers from U.S. higher Regional Educational Advising creating programs and products to education institutions (HEIs). For more Coordinators (REACs) guide and support connect with student audiences abroad, information about recruiting and supporting advisers in the EducationUSA network, and obtaining information about how Opportunity Funds students, please which is organized into six geographic application and admission issues affect contact: [email protected]. regions: East Asia and Pacific, Europe and overseas candidates. EducationUSA Eurasia, and North Africa, advisers also use their expertise to help Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan U.S. institutions develop relationships One of EducationUSA’s principal Africa, and the Western Hemisphere. with local universities and schools for resources, Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study REACs provide training and guidance to recruitment, study abroad programs, and guides international students through advisers to enable them to maintain and deeper university partnerships. the application and admission processes improve the quality of their work, and for undergraduate, graduate, and English- assist in ensuring the smooth functioning language programs, as well as for short- of advising centers. REACs also serve as Opportunity Funds Program term educational opportunities at U.S. resources for the U.S. higher education In line with U.S. Department of State colleges and universities. The steps give community on local educational systems public diplomacy goals, EducationUSA students a timeline and practical tips to and the development of strategies for advisers reach out to students from navigate the American higher education increasing international student mobility. economically disadvantaged backgrounds. sector. Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study is available The EducationUSA Opportunity Funds online at www.educationusa.state.gov. Programs and Services program assists high-achieving students EducationUSA advising centers offer who are competitive for full financial aid U.S. Study Abroad a variety of services to assist both from U.S. colleges and universities but EducationUSA advisers around the world international students and the U.S. higher lack financial resources to cover upfront are experts on the national education education community. For international costs such as testing fees, application systems in their respective countries students, advising centers provide fees, or airfare. Opportunity Funds and have good relationships with local information about the breadth of U.S. program students engage in one to two universities and schools. For U.S. HEIs higher education as well as the application years of cohort advising sessions with seeking to establish or expand study process through group advising sessions, EducationUSA advising staff, ultimately abroad programs, both the EducationUSA virtual advising, individual appointments, helping to diversify the pool of students network and the U.S. Department of State’s and pre-departure orientations. Basic applying to U.S. colleges and universities. U.S. Study Abroad Branch can provide services for students are free of charge. Hundreds of academically talented students support. Visit the U.S. Study Abroad The U.S. higher education community from more than 50 countries worldwide website at www.studyabroad.state.gov. looks to the EducationUSA network for participate in the Opportunity Funds

2 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov 5.1 million+ 10,500+ 5.8 million+ Social Media “likes” Subscribers to the Higher 2017 Website Unique Visitors Education eNewsletter

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 3 Services for U.S. Higher Education Institutions The U.S. Department of State promotes the United States as the leading higher education destination for students around the world. International students enrich U.S. classrooms, campuses, and communities with unique perspectives and experiences that expand American students’ horizons. They also enhance U.S. institutions’ research and teaching capacity and increase their prestige and position in the competition for global talent. The knowledge and skills students develop on an internationalized American campus prepare them to become the next generation of world leaders who work across languages, cultures, and borders to solve shared global challenges.

International students and their families The report also provides data on places of • Host EducationUSA advisers for visits also benefit the U.S. economy. The U.S. origin, sources of financial support, fields and training programs on your campus. Department of Commerce estimates that of study, host institutions, academic level, Ensuring that advisers have access to international students contributed more and rates of growth of the international current information and skills-based than $42.4 billion to the U.S. economy in student population in the United States. training is essential to the success of the 2017 through their spending on tuition, Furthermore, it highlights the positive EducationUSA network. The following room and board, and living expenses, economic impact of international students opportunities are available: making U.S. higher education one of for the states in which they study and the America’s leading service export industries. nation as a whole. The publication also - EducationUSA Adviser Training NAFSA’s International Student Economic includes sections on international scholars Institute: Each two-week EducationUSA Value Tool provides a state-by-state and in the United States and intensive English- Adviser Training Institute is composed congressional district-based analysis language programs. of a Washington, DC-based workshop, of international students’ economic with sessions at the U.S. Department contributions to the U.S. economy. Work with EducationUSA Advisers of State and campus-based training. and REACs Further information, including the Research The U.S. higher education community application to host on-campus training The U.S. Department of State funds the can connect with EducationUSA advisers for EducationUSA advisers, is available Institute of International Education’s and REACs in the United States as well at www.educationusa.state.gov. Open Doors Report on International as abroad. Ideas on how institutions can Educational Exchange, an annual survey engage include: - Campus visits/higher education of international students and scholars in association conferences: Experienced the United States and of U.S. students • Join U.S. higher education professionals, advisers represent EducationUSA studying abroad in credit-bearing REACs, and advisers from key overseas at a variety of U.S. higher education courses. Open Doors data is used by markets at the annual EducationUSA association conferences each year. U.S. embassies; the U.S. Departments Forum in Washington, DC. During their time in the United States, of State, Commerce, and Education; advisers have the opportunity to visit and other federal, state, and local • Participate in EducationUSA regional colleges and universities. Calls for organizations to inform policy decisions forums held overseas to convene campus hosts are publicized on the about educational exchanges, trade in representatives of the U.S. higher EducationUSA website and in the educational services, and study abroad education community and members monthly newsletter. activity. U.S. colleges and universities, of the EducationUSA advising network foreign governments, and the media as they examine regional recruitment - Offer to serve as a subject matter rely on these comparative statistics to strategies and explore opportunities for expert in EducationUSA adviser analyze trends in student mobility. collaboration. training programs.

4 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov • Direct students accepted to study early in the college search and application recognition overseas, and alumni at U.S. higher education institutions process for guidance and to ensure they can be excellent ambassadors. to EducationUSA pre-departure receive accurate information. EducationUSA advisers can assist in orientations in their home countries. setting up alumni presentations. • Demystify the U.S. application and • Host a cohort of the EducationUSA admissions process by directing • Leverage state and regional consortia Academy for international students from international students to Your 5 Steps to relationships with the EducationUSA 15 to 17 years of age or link to an existing U.S. Study at www.educationusa.state.gov. network to promote an institution Academy program nearby by supporting to students abroad. EducationUSA a visit to a specific U.S. higher education • Conduct market research to identify works with 30 state and regional institution. Academy participants explore audiences of prospective students consortia that promote U.S. cities, specialized college preparatory content, in regions or countries that fit your states, and regions as destinations for attend writing workshops, develop their institution’s recruitment priorities. In international students. English language and writing skills, addition to the regional information become familiar with the American contained in this guide, take advantage Increase Reach higher education system, and prepare to of the Open Doors Report on In addition to resources such as apply to U.S. colleges and universities. International Educational Exchange, PowerPoint presentations and country and the EducationUSA center and reports, EducationUSA offers an array Global Recruiting Strategies country fact sheets available on the of services for U.S. higher education The EducationUSA network provides EducationUSA website. including: advice about developing regional and country-specific recruitment • Visit EducationUSA advising centers • Enabling U.S. higher education strategies. Institutions can collaborate to engage student audiences and gain professionals to access the with EducationUSA to enhance these exposure for your school or program. EducationUSA network of advisers and strategies in a wide variety of ways: REACs and advisers can help you make REACs the most of your international recruiting • C onsult REACs, the first point of contact for trips. Contact local centers in advance • Connecting with Washington, DC- advice regarding a specific region or country. to arrange meetings or school visits, based EducationUSA staff and embassy schedule presentations with students, or representatives • Ask REACs about connecting with attend a college fair. education ministries and scholarship- • Participating in EducationUSA granting bodies in the region. • Encourage international alumni to get Interactive webinars as content experts involved with EducationUSA advising • Encourage prospective students to centers. Word of mouth is an important • Subscribing to the U.S. Higher Education connect with EducationUSA advisers factor in building institutional name Monthly Update

• Scheduling structured visits to EducationUSA centers

• Accessing special programming, regional fairs, and other events

• Providing social media platforms that help schools engage prospective international students

Login Access The U.S. higher education section of the EducationUSA website helps institutions develop and refine their international student recruitment strategies. Free logins are available to employees of U.S. postsecondary institutions accredited by bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as well as higher education professional membership associations. A higher education professional login enables users to access information that can be found only at www.educationusa. state.gov.

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 5 EducationUSA Regional EducationUSA By the Numbers Advising Coordinator EducationUSA collects statistics to measure outreach to prospective students through center-based and outreach (REAC) Map activities, and virtual and social media platform.

Number of In-Center Contacts, by Type Individual advising appointments 100,506 Advising by phone or SMS (each conversation) 229,653 Advising by email 448,774 Group advising attendees 183,637 Walk-ins/library/computer users 456,918 U.S. institution representatives 10,776 MOOC Camp Attendees 3,599 Total 1,433,863 Number of Event Attendees, by Outreach Activity Education fairs 574,171 American Corners/Centers 79,093 Local universities/secondary schools 369,859 Brussels, Belgium Peter Baker Other fairs/conferences/seminars 173,626 Host government events 17,479 Embassy/consulate events 26,736 Public locations 27,150 Other activities 39,975 Total 1,308,089 Mexico City, Mexico Number of Virtual/Social Media Contacts, by Type Maria Mercedes Salmon Social networks - page likes 4,782,285 Instagram followers 68,844 Videos/ video channels views 931,801 Quito, Ecuador Ana Villavicencio Skype contacts & IM advising calls 13,419 Blog follows 149,854 Twitter/microblog follows 826,876 Digital Video Conference (DVC) 2,680 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil participants Rita Moriconi EducationUSA webinar participants 13,450 EducationUSA Interactive Sessions 4,490 Virtual fairs - EdUSA booth & session 32,946 visitors Total 6,826,645 Unique website visitors (Center and flagship websites) Total 5,802,463

Total 15,371,060

*Changes in classification and methodology have resulted in variances that should not be interpreted as trends over time in specific categories.

6 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov Regional EducationUSA Advising Coordinator (REAC) Map

Brussels, Belgium Kyiv, Ukraine Peter Baker Katherine Scodova

Budapest, Hungary Beijing, Seoul, Gordana Mirchikj Vacant Vincent Flores New , Doha, Ishrat Jahan Melissa Deschamps , UAE Karen Bauer Bangkok, Charles Hornstra Accra, Ghana Vacant

Johannesburg, South Africa Clara Priester

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 7 EducationUSA Types of Center (By color)

Worldwide Advising Reference Centers Comprehensive Centers Centers Standard Centers

Levels of Service: Advising centers in the EducationUSA network offer one of three levels of service: Comprehensive, Standard, or Reference. To find an advising center, visit www.educationusa.state.gov/ find-advising-center.

8 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 9 EducationUSA Advising Centers

Comprehensive • Facilitates communication with local • Describes and compares U.S. and host • Adheres to the EducationUSA secondary and tertiary institutions for country educational systems Principles of Good Practice, which can visiting U.S. representatives • Maintains relationships with local be found at www.educationusa.state. • Organizes public presentations at high school counselors and university gov/principles-good-practice off-site locations for visiting U.S. administrators • Maintains an up-to-date library of representatives • Displays U.S. college- and university- reference books/materials • Hosts visiting U.S. representatives for provided materials • Offers individual and group advising, thematic presentations on U.S. higher • Provides access to internet-based video information on financial aid, and pre- education conferencing equipment departure orientations/information • Organizes general U.S. higher • Offers pre-departure information/ • Employs advising staff with college education orientation sessions, orientations degrees (U.S. Bachelor’s degree or often featuring visiting U.S. school equivalent) who are proficient in representatives • Participates in college fairs, hosting the EducationUSA booth spoken and written English • Pr ovides information on local • Provides virtual advising and consulting government and foundation scholarships • Provides briefings on the local including through email, web, social as well as other financial aid education system for visiting U.S. representatives media, and instant messaging • Displays college- and university- • Maintains computers with internet provided materials • Verifies Ministry of Education access for visitors recognition/certification of local high schools and universities • Organizes and participates in alumni Standard group activities and college fairs, • Organizes general U.S. higher • Adheres to the EducationUSA education orientation sessions, hosting the EducationUSA booth Principles of Good Practice, which can often featuring visiting U.S. school • Maintains relationships with local be found at www.educationusa.state. representatives high school counselors and university gov/principles-good-practice administrators, and conducts outreach • Maintains an up-to-date library of Reference to local high schools and higher reference books/materials education institutions • Adheres to the EducationUSA • Employs, at minimum, one adviser, and Principles of Good Practice, which can • Provides briefings on the local offers hours sufficient to meet local be found at www.educationusa.state. education system for visiting U.S. demand at standard service level gov/principles-good-practice representatives • Employs advising staff proficient in • Maintains an up-to-date library of • Describes and compares U.S. and host spoken and written English reference books/materials country educational systems • Offers individual advising • Employs no adviser or offers only • Verifies Ministry of Education minimal personal assistance to students recognition/certification of local high • Provides information on financial aid schools and universities

10 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov Social Media Social media and other virtual communication tools that link the EducationUSA network to students and to U.S. higher education institutions are critical to EducationUSA’s goal of promoting U.S. higher education abroad.

Trends financing U.S. study, college and university presented thematic sessions related to U.S. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube remain admissions, and the U.S. visa process. study. EducationUSA expects to continue the dominant social media platforms Other topics have included Muslim student its involvement in these fairs in the for EducationUSA, where available. The experiences, LGBTI campus communities, coming year as part of its public-private flagship EducationUSA Facebook page support for international students with partnership with CWL. reached more than 325,000 “Likes” in 2017 disabilities, exploring community colleges, while the flagship Twitter account had and a session on U.S. campus culture for EducationUSA Website approximately 21,000 followers. Platforms Latin American students and their parents EducationUSA’s mobile-friendly and applications such as Instagram, conducted in Spanish. The Interactives website, www.educationusa.state. Snapchat, and WhatsApp continued to attract viewers from around the world who gov, serves as the central information gain in popularity and use across the are able to pose questions and get answers hub for the EducationUSA network, network over the past year. EducationUSA in real-time. Previously Livestreamed where international students and their expanded its use of Facebook Live as on the EducationUSA website with an parents can find reliable information well as Google Hangouts to expand and accompanying chatroom feature, the about studying in the United States. enhance communication. EducationUSA Interactives moved to the Facebook Advisers regularly post information advising centers have also embraced Live platform in late 2017. EducationUSA to the site about upcoming in-person country-specific social media platforms records the Interactives and later uploads and virtual events, making it the best to better engage with the students they them to YouTube where they can continue place to find listings of EducationUSA serve. For example, while advisers in to be viewed in their entirety. In addition, events worldwide. In addition, social Russian-speaking countries reach students EducationUSA edits individual questions media posts from Facebook, Instagram, on Vkontakte, and advisers in China and answers from the presentations into Google+, and Twitter that use the connect with students via the WeChat short, digestible clips of no more than one hashtag #EducationUSA are pulled application and the micro-blogging site minute for quick and easy reference. onto the homepage, creating a Sina Weibo, those in South Korea employ more interactive and dynamic site. Kakao Talk and Naver. Where an in-person EducationUSA Virtual Fairs Furthermore, with links to social media advising presence is not feasible, such as EducationUSA continues to partner with on each page, users can share pertinent in Belarus, Iran, and Syria, EducationUSA CollegeWeekLive (CWL) on a virtual information about study in the United advising centers operate exclusively on international student college fair during States with their own social network. virtual platforms. International Education Week. The The site also provides resources for U.S. November 2017 event attracted more than higher education, as well as foreign EducationUSA Interactive Webinars 9,000 individual attendees. Students from institution and government users. The EducationUSA Interactive series, approximately 180 countries and territories Higher education professionals can produced in collaboration with the interacted with EducationUSA advisers and request a login to access REAC contact U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of representatives, resulting in almost 27,000 information, and submit scholarship International Information Programs, unique connections with U.S. institutions. opportunities and news stories targeted consists of live, studio-produced, video EducationUSA also partnered with CWL to the international student audience web chats featuring international students, on three additional global virtual fairs, for posting to the site. All users can U.S. higher education representatives, attracting a total of approximately 33,000 now access student Mobility Facts and other experts discussing timely attendees over the course of the year. and Figures sheets for 179 locations themes such as American campus culture, At each virtual fair, EducationUSA staff worldwide.

Facebook Twitter Instagram Likes: 4.7 million+ Followers: 680,000+ Followers: 68,000 + Pages: 215

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 11 EducationUSA Regional Reach Contacts Made in 2017 by Region

Sub-Saharan East Asia and Europe and Middle East & South & Western Region Africa Pacific Eurasia North Africa Central Asia Hemisphere

Total contacts made 324,556 106,370 226,940 70,887 288,361 416,749 through advising centers

Advising center-based 323,217 104,136 224,468 70,301 287,681 413,284 contacts

U.S. institution 1,339 2,234 2,472 586 680 3,465 representative contacts

Total contacts made 159,736 270,923 285,532 97,097 200,046 294,755 through outreach activities

Education fairs 60,833 82,492 164,711 39,057 80,394 146,684

American Corners/Centers 17,498 29,054 8,658 3,788 10,126 9,969

Local universities/ 60,587 92,123 48,372 20,512 76,389 71,876 secondary schools

Other fairs/conferences/ 16,978 25,862 46,653 29,420 23,172 31,541 seminars

Host government events 430 11,039 368 2,481 305 2,856

Embassy/consulate events 1,010 1,654 9,656 1,137 1,063 12,216

Public locations 793 3,448 3,825 515 6,563 12,006

Other activities 1,607 25,251 3,289 187 2,034 7,607

Total contacts made 1,348,216 1,569,457 1,014,580 851,054 1,067,044 573,579 through virtual platforms

Social media platforms 1,346,410 1,568,797 1,007,040 848,628 1,065,425 571,500

Webinars, DVCs 1,806 660 7,540 2,426 1,619 2,079

GRAND TOTAL 1,832,508 1,946,750 1,527,052 1,019,038 1,555,451 1,285,083

*Changes in classification and methodology have resulted in variances that should not be interpreted as trends over time in specific categories.

12 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov In the 2016-2017 academic year over one million students from around the world chose to study in the United States. The U.S. Departments of State and Commerce are committed to increasing this number, and to ensuring that the United States remains the top destination of choice for millions of globally mobile international students. The departments’ activities complement one another, and they collaborate wherever possible including through joint presentations, participation in each other’s events, and support for each other’s activities around the world.

U.S. Commercial Service EducationUSA

Education service exports ranked 6th among service exports EducationUSA is the U.S. Department of State’s global network in 2017. International students studying in the United States of more than 425 international student advising centers contributed over $43.1 billion* to the U.S. economy in tuition and staffed by approximately 550 professionals in 180 countries living expenses during the 2017 calendar year, for a trade surplus worldwide. EducationUSA is the Department’s official source of of $35.2 billion. information on U.S. higher education and promotes the value of U.S. higher education to students, families, institutions, and The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm governments abroad in an increasingly competitive global of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade environment. Administration. The U.S. Commercial Service has trade professionals located in over 100 U.S. cities, and in more than 75 The EducationUSA network also provides strategic countries at the U.S. embassies, consulates, and business centers guidance on international student recruitment and campus dedicated to helping U.S. education services providers get internationalization to all accredited U.S. colleges and started in exporting and developing partnerships in new global universities through a suite of basic services that are free of markets. charge. EducationUSA advising centers are based at a wide variety of host institutions abroad such as U.S. embassies and The U.S. Commercial Service and its Global Education Team consulates, Fulbright Commissions, bi-national centers, and assists U.S. educational institutions to build a recruitment local universities. pipeline and partnership channels through the various program offerings unique to the education sector. The U.S. Commercial Advisers provide prospective international students with Service provides counseling on market potential for programs accurate, comprehensive, and current information about and develops market research for the education industry. opportunities to study in the United States, application Programs offered include pre-scheduled meetings with potential procedures, testing requirements, student visas, and financial partners, virtual events, trade missions, assistance at trade aid. EducationUSA also funds the annual Open Doors report shows, and single school promotions. The U.S. Commercial produced by the Institute of International Education (IIE), an Service also supports the U.S. educational state consortia across annual census of international students and scholars in the the United States with development, promotion, and strategic United States and of U.S. students studying abroad. planning for international recruitment, and to highlight their states as study destinations. EducationUSA’s Opportunity Funds program assists highly qualified, economically disadvantaged students by covering To find out more about how the U.S. Commercial Service and the array of up-front costs associated with applying to and its Global Education Team can help you achieve export success, enrolling in U.S. colleges and universities. please visit export.gov/industry/education. educationusa.state.gov export.gov/industry/education

* Preliminary education service export data issued by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce. Data is revised annually during the month of June.

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 13 Sub-Saharan Africa Regional EducationUSA Profile

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Sub-Saharan Africa has a growing 2.7 percent decrease in F-1 visa issuances EducationUSA presence with 51 in FY17, after years of steady growth, the EducationUSA EducationUSA advising centers in Student Exchange Visitor Information Advising Centers the region—35 comprehensive, 13 Systems (SEVIS) By the Numbers reports in the Region standard, and three reference—with 55 a modest but encouraging increase of EducationUSA advisers carrying out a full 2.9 percent in African students on F and range of activities. U.S. embassies host all M visas between March 2017 and March 35 Comprehensive EducationUSA advising centers, with one 2018. 13 Standard exception. As a result of these close ties to 3 Reference U.S. embassies, EducationUSA programs Africans are studying in 2,300 institutions 51 are integrated with other embassy and in all 50 states plus the District of U.S. Department of State programs, Columbia. Texas is the most popular state, including Access English for disadvantaged with nearly 15 percent of all Africans, teenagers, the Young African Leaders followed by New York, Massachusetts, Initiative (YALI), as well as academic California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, exchanges and Fulbright programs. In Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio. Residents addition, there are Opportunity Funds of African countries took 9,050 Graduate programs in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Record Examinations (GREs) and 3,697 Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Graduate Management Admission Tests Namibia, Rwanda, Swaziland, South Africa, (GMATs) in 2017. Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. African students are oriented toward In keeping with African cultures, most credentials and degrees. Fewer than four 1 “Africa” in this section refers to the 51 countries advising takes place in person, and percent of Africa’s students in the United of Sub-Saharan Africa adviser availability is important to states are enrolled in non-degree programs. effectiveness. Intensive small group Online education has been slow to catch cohort advising has been particularly on as a result of the desire to get the full successful in this region, with advisers U.S. experience with hands-on practical welcoming parents who want to be exposure, and ongoing uncertainty about involved to join planning sessions. recognition of online credentials.

Regional Overview Graduate students. The number of Africa marked record-high numbers of graduate students studying in the United students in the United States in academic States is rising, particularly from West year (AY) 2016–2017, at 37,735, a healthy Africa, which recorded an increase of 6.7-percent increase over the previous 8.5 percent in AY 2016-2017. Countries year. West Africa is responsible for 51.0 sending the most graduate students to percent of Africa’s total population the United States include Nigeria (39.2 studying in the United States, followed by percent of Africa’s 10,800 graduate East Africa with 22.5 percent, Southern students in the United States), Ghana, Africa with 17.2 percent, and Central Africa Kenya, and South Africa. Countries with 9.3 percent. Although there was a reporting more than 35 percent of their

14 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov undergraduates enrolled in community colleges. Cameroon’s U.S. enrollments and student visa issuances are rebounding, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to surge forward as well.

Intensive English Programs (IEPs). IEP enrollment is very low in Africa, constituting about two percent of world total and decreasing steadily. In 2016, only 2,300 African students were enrolled in IEPs. Students should consider linking these programs to an on-campus program, and ensure that they have attempted a standardized English proficiency test before applying. One in every five IEP students comes from Angola or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. students in the United States at the Undergraduate students. Undergraduate graduate level include Botswana, Eritrea, growth is greatest in East Africa, which Partnerships. Private higher education Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sudan, recorded a 15-percent increase over AY institutions (PHEIs) enroll 20 percent and Uganda. 2015-2016, five times greater than the of Africa’s tertiary students. The best world average. Twenty-six percent of Sub- private institutions promote educational Preliminary indicators such as the Saharan Africa’s 21,128 undergraduates flexibility, market responsiveness, and Council of Graduate Schools and Student are enrolled in community colleges, and an entrepreneurial outlook that were and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) enrollment rates vary widely: unheard of a quarter century ago. surveys report that first-time graduate Partnerships between U.S. and African enrollment from Africa increased by • Central Africa: 47 percent of PHEIs can tap into populations that seek 27 percent in AY 2016-2017, and total undergraduates are enrolled in mobility while maintaining strong ties African graduate students studying community colleges to home. Also, academic partnerships abroad in the United States increased by • Lusophone/Spanish-speaking Africa: between American and African HEIs 8.5 percent, in sharp contrast to declines 39 percent are increasingly dynamic and promote in other parts of the world. • Francophone West Africa: 35 percent African development. A prime example • East Africa: 22 percent is Michigan State University’s Alliance At the graduate level, many students • Anglophone West Africa: 21 percent for Africa Partnership, the culmination of initially look for professional degrees that • Anglophone Southern Africa: 18 percent relationships dating to 1960. carry funding, a rarity in the United States. After further research, goal-oriented Central Africa’s undergraduate growth Promise. Africa holds significant promise students find programs and funding that topped the Africa region at 7.1 percent, for the future of international education. meet their needs. with nearly half of all Central Africa’s The region offers diversity of perspectives

Student Mobility in the Region (Five-Year Trend)

38,000 37,735

36,000 35,364

34,000 33,593

32,000 31,133 30,585 30,000

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 15 Sub-Saharan Africa and backgrounds, highly motivated youth bulge, the demand for higher steeper-than-anticipated global interest students who seek out opportunities, a education will explode over the next rate increases, and inadequate efforts track record of high educational mobility, decades. Half of Africa’s mobile students to ameliorate debt dynamics could set and 200 million young people between remain within the region, but unless back economic growth. South Africa is the ages of 15 and 24—equaling 20 capacity expansion accelerates, large forecast to tick up to 1.1 percent growth in percent of the total population. Africa also numbers will seek education elsewhere. 2018 from 0.8 percent in 2017. Nigeria is offers unique resources for research and anticipated to accelerate to a 2.5-percent fieldwork as well as academic and higher In countries with robust economic expansion this year from 1 percent in the education partnerships. International prospects, U.S.-educated students are year just ended.” education is woven into Africa’s higher returning home to set up their own education framework, not only in terms businesses and take advantage of African students in the United States of student mobility but also in curricula, opportunities in economies that are spend more than $1 billion per year on their employers’ expectations, and career opening up. Leveraging tech hubs and education. U.S. HEIs are increasingly willing options. African students distinguish startups is popular, as are investment and to invest in African students to get the best themselves on U.S. campuses with active finance businesses, innovative agricultural talent the region has to offer. Consolidation participation and a notable work ethic. ventures, and niche markets of all kinds. of scholarships into meaningful funding The ethic of giving back has inspired awards makes a big difference in landing A new report by the Pew Research Center students to set up coding and robotics African students. Evaluating applicants in confirms that Sub-Saharan Africans camps at home during summer vacations, terms of their grit, resilience, motivation, rank among the world’s most mobile and social entrepreneurship is dynamic and work ethic brings out more than people, with 25 million living outside and popular. U.S. universities will do well to grades and scores alone. their countries of origin and eight of the tap into this energy and these initiatives. ten fastest growing migrant populations. Cohort approaches. Cohort advising— African emigration grew by 31% between Economic factors. Africa’s economies are intensive small group programs for 2010 and 2017, trailing only the MENA also moving forward. In 2017, Africa again dedicated, highly competitive students— region. Two-thirds of migrants have claimed six of the world’s ten fastest- has proven EducationUSA Africa’s remained in Africa, but six percent, or growing economies: Ghana and Ethiopia most effective strategy for improving 1.5 million people, now live in the United lead with growth exceeding eight percent, outcomes for African students. Groups States. These emigrants represent a followed closely by Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, are called EducationUSA Scholars or strong source of remittance funding – Senegal, and Tanzania. Nigeria and South Competitive College Clubs and operate in projected to be $39 billion in 2018 -- and Africa make up almost half of Africa’s two dozen EducationUSA centers across support for African students in the United GDP, but East Africa is the region’s the region. Most focus on undergraduate States. University World News reports fastest-growing sub-region overall. admission, with others focusing on sports that globally, Africans account for more scholarships and graduate admission. than ten percent of mobile students, twice According to the World Bank, Cohort groups run for one to four years the world average. “[Economic] growth in the region is depending on language and other anticipated to pick up to 3.2 percent in readiness. They build academic skills Over the past fifteen years, Africa’s higher 2018 from 2.4 percent in 2017. Stronger such as research, technology, writing, education enrollment has grown from growth will depend on a firming of reading, communications, test-taking, 2.25 to 6.34 million; coupled with rapid commodity prices and implementation critical thinking, and decision-making. population growth and a demographic of reforms. A drop in commodity prices, U.S. colleges and universities recognize

Fastest-Growing Countries in the Region (with over 100 students): One-Year Increase

30%

25%

20%

15%

10% Sudan Eritrea Sierra Leone Ethiopia Burundi Botswana DR Congo Rwanda 28% 27% 25% 22% 22% 20% 20% 17%

16 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov Five Countries of Origin that EducationUSA cohort students are of Africa’s Francophone universities have in the Region with Highest an excellent investment, and the list of converted to the Bologna LMD system, and institutions awarding financial aid and many countries run a 13-year pre-university Per Capita College-Age scholarships grows longer each year. After system, graduates encounter barriers Student Mobility to the a decade of experience, EducationUSA to entry into U.S. Master’s programs. United States has seen that cohort students remain EducationUSA recommends individual close in college, supporting each other, evaluation of applicants from three-year performing better, and distinguishing Licence degrees and for recognition of themselves in leadership. Bologna equivalents.

A creative cohort model is thriving in the Despite large enrollments in , Equatorial Guinea Gambia where Peace Corps Volunteer Francophone Africans willing to College-Age teachers lead cohort groups in rural high undertake the extra work and expense Population schools with a focus on basic study skills seek an American degree because, in the 0.4% and motivation. Gap-year students who words of one EducationUSA adviser, “It 101,184 have successfully completed high school gives better access to good jobs, reflects are invited to a U.S. embassy-sponsored the value of English in globalization, and weeklong boot camp, after which they start the belief that American education is their college applications under the guidance more practical that the theoretical model of the EducationUSA adviser in Banjul. used in French universities.”

Areas of study. Most African students Students from Anglophone countries have start their U.S. study in traditional STEM been acculturated to value science and Mauritius and pre-professional (engineering, engineering careers, which carry greater College-Age information technology [IT], business, and prestige. Although many stay with these Population health) fields but exposure to new fields majors, others discover the appeal of 0.3% inspires them to change. The freedom to social sciences and non-STEM professions, 101,218 choose their majors, combine disparate and change their majors. Strong academic fields, and get practical experience is particularly appealing to Africans. Africans increasingly take advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT) Seychelles but lately more have returned home African Students by Level College-Age rather than face perceived challenges of Study in the Region Population surrounding employment authorization. 0.2% Internships integrated into the academic Associate 7,179 6,402 program can be a key factor in attracting Bachelor 18,769 students to the United States. Master 10,888 Doctorate 4,377 Many students want majors that lead to independent careers: self-employment, All Other 4,070 professional qualifications, small firms, Gabon Source: SEVIS, December 2017 flexibility, and mobility. They also want College-Age to give back and seek careers with 0.2% Population developmental impact. For this, the U.S. liberal arts system is increasingly 173,306 recognized as the ideal. Regional Student Totals Francophone and Lusophone students. Top Five Countries of Origin Students from Francophone and Gambia Lusophone Africa are more likely to seek Country 2016/17 % Change College-Age social science and business majors, often 2015/16 starting from a campus-based English or Population 0.2% pathway program. They are looking for Nigeria 11,710 9.7% 172,310 barrier-free admissions and less expensive Kenya 3,189 5.6% schools. The intricacy of applying for scholarships is a challenge, but discounts Ghana 3,111 2.0% and merit awards are appealing. South Africa 1,911 5.4% Source: UNESCO Institute of Statistics; Indicator: Ethiopia 1,847 21.8% 2015 Population of the official age for tertiary A major issue for Francophone students is education, both sexes the three-year Licence degree. Although all

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 17 Sub-Saharan Africa advising and a wide range of majors will to Africa enroll close to 100,000 students, EducationUSA Nigeria provides additional best serve these students. 70 percent of whom are in France or the services for admissions representatives . Areas of greatest growth from accredited institutions and attracts Travel to Africa. Travel to Africa requires include inter-African mobility, with an dozens of U.S. universities to its annual more advance planning and can be estimated 75,000–100,000 African students fairs held in September. expensive, but families are more likely studying in other African countries, and to invest in educational institutions with study in Muslim-majority countries, the top Kenya. Kenya is Africa’s second largest which they have had face-to-face contact. seven of which enroll 30,000 students, led source of students in the United States, EducationUSA and U.S. embassies actively by and . and the United States remains the number support U.S. HEI travel in the region to one destination of Kenyan students by a maximize visitors’ experiences. Countries in the Spotlight wide margin, with 3,189 students in AY Nigeria. Nigeria enrolls 31 percent of all 2016–2017. A surge of almost ten percent Although many developing countries have Africans in the United States and ranks in undergraduate enrollments in 2017 constraints related to travel connections 12th in the world as a sending country, shows that Kenya is heading for a period and means, reliability of electricity, and with 11,710 students in AY 2016–2017, and of growth. There is renewed interest in connectivity issues, determined students annual growth above ten percent for the engineering as development-oriented have mastered the art of overcoming past several years. Growth in graduate youth seek to build their country. challenges. Also, testing agencies do not enrollment (11 percent) is faster than all offer computer/internet-based testing growth in undergraduates (7 percent), Kenya’s government tightened university in every country yet. and both are well ahead of the pace for admission policies a year ago, and this, Africa and the world as a whole. coupled with an unprecedented crackdown Recent Trends At the graduate level, Nigerians on grading in the Kenya Certificate of Over the past two decades, African are looking for universities with Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in student mobility has been less affected strong reputations that carry weight 2017, has reduced university enrollments than other world regions by global internationally because they will be significantly. Only 11 percent of students economic and political fluctuations as a returning home to a highly competitive (70,000 of 615,000) passed the KCSE with result of isolation from major financial job market. At the undergraduate level, the required grade of C+ or higher to enter networks. Although a generally positive Nigerians are looking for good value for university, all of whom will be sponsored view of the United States motivates money, lower costs, and scholarships. by the government. Private universities families to send students, US. HEIs should Once on campus, they are determined are particularly hard hit because public not take this attitude for granted. Parents to prove themselves and aim for top universities are able to absorb most of the are concerned about safety and security graduate schools. qualified students. Many students will still above all, which affects decisions about seek U.S. education as first-year or transfer where to study. U.S. universities face tough competition undergraduates because of strikes and from the United Kingdom for Nigerian inadequate facilities at local universities. Among African students, France is the students, especially as Brexit is driving the most popular destination, with about United Kingdom to recruit more actively Ghana. With a robust 3,111 students, the 40,000 students, followed closely by the in Nigeria. Students from northern Nigeria United States is Ghana’s top destination. United States (37,700) and the United are especially attracted to the United Ghana has become so stable in the region Kingdom (28,000), all relatively stable Kingdom over the United States, and that it attracts 20,000 international figures according to UNESCO’s Institute for Canada is also gaining Nigerian students. students into its 26 public and 87 private Statistics. In all, countries with historical ties degree-granting universities. Academic

African Countries with More than 1,000 Students in the United States

12,000

9,000

6,000 Kenya 3,189 South Africa 3,000 Cote d’Ivoire 1,911 Zimbabwe 1,353 DR Congo 1,330 1,137 0 Nigeria Ghana Ethiopia Cameroon Angola Rwanda 11,710 3,111 1,847 1,334 1,257 1,088

18 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov partnerships and study abroad with the easier; community colleges account for 42 increased by 27 percent in fall 2017 and United States are also popular. percent of undergraduates. Popular fields of from SEVIS By the Numbers that African study include business, health, and political enrollments on F visas alone increased Graduate education in the United States science. Students pursue fields that enable by 2.9 percent between March 2017 and is the fastest-growing sector. Forty-five them to return home and enter the private March 2018. Healthy undergraduate percent of Ghanaian students are enrolled sector either by opening their own business enrollment increases in AY 2016–2017 at the graduate level, considerably ahead or joining a family business. Cameroon is further encourage the expectation of world and regional averages. Thanks known as Africa in Miniature as a result of that Africa’s U.S. enrollments will stay to innovative on-campus programming, its diversity in culture, language, landscape, relatively stable. EducationUSA Kumasi is encouraging climate, and population. U.S. study among graduates of a leading • Factors that could reduce the flow of university, Kwame Nkrumah University of Up-and-coming countries to watch African students to the United States are Science and Technology (KNUST). Ghana include Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, positive for Africa: increased political has two universities participating in the Botswana, and Cabo Verde, where strong stability, stronger national economies, MasterCard Foundation Scholars program, student mobility and fresh initiatives are and expanding local university systems, and several Centers of Excellence. promoting study in the United States. including the private higher education sector. African university enrollments South Africa. South Africa is closing What to Expect in the Next Three increase by 15 percent per year, a out a tumultuous year in which student to Five Years substantial rate that still does not meet campaigns for tuition-free university • E ducationUSA Africa is cautiously the demand by qualified students and education and more equitable optimistic about the potential for growth exacerbates overcrowding. African representation symbolized political in the number of African students universities are also internationalizing and economic pressures. South Africa’s studying in the United States over and adopting more flexible systems, greatest growth in U.S. enrollment is the next few years, particularly the harmonizing sub-regional systems to at the undergraduate level, increasing encouraging report from the Council allow for exchanges and credential by nine percent from AY 2015-2016 of Graduate Schools that new African transfer. Reluctance by U.S. universities to AY 2016-2017, and ushering in a enrollment in U.S. graduate programs to recognize three-year Bologna Licence fresh generation of students. South Africa cannot absorb all of its qualified students, resulting in many choosing U.S. Study Abroad to study abroad. The United States is South Africa’s primary destination, and the most popular fields of study Top Five Receiving Countries in the Region are engineering, biology, business, and performing arts. Destination 2015/16 % Change Cote d’Ivoire. Cote d’Ivoire has recorded twelve successive record-breaking South Africa 5,782 10.2% years of increasing enrollment in the United States, more than doubling its Ghana 1,564 112.2% U.S. enrollments to 1,353, the highest in Tanzania 1,254 3.1% Francophone Africa. Community colleges Uganda 722 37.0% claim 29 percent of Cote d’Ivoire’s Kenya 681 7.4% undergraduates. The most popular fields are business (especially Master of Business Administration), engineering, and computer science/IT. Cote d’Ivoire has a long history of entrepreneurship. Five Countries (with over 100 students) with Highest As the uncontested economic hub of Francophone Africa, Cote d’Ivoire is Percentage Growth, U.S. Students in the Region globalizing through the establishment of (Five-Year Trend) private English-medium universities. Country Name 2011/12 2015/16 % Change Cameroon. School and university closings Malawi 162 217 33.9% in the country’s Anglophone western Rwanda 308 411 33.4% provinces are driving students to apply to the United States in greater numbers, South Africa 4,540 5,782 27.3% with an increase of ten percent in AY Ethiopia 267 302 13.1% 2016–2017, and more in AY 2017–2018. Tanzania 1,115 1,254 12.5% Students tend to apply to less competitive schools where the admission process is

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 19 Sub-Saharan Africa

degrees as equivalent to a Bachelor’s Consolidating small awards into a few larger on their phones more than bank cards and degree could repress Francophone ones is most effective for African students. obtaining U.S. dollar checks from banks is interest in U.S. HEIs. an expensive and cumbersome process. • Small group travel works well in Africa Virtual and Social Media Usage because it facilitates logistics and • P aying for the College Scholarship African students bound for the United makes a greater impact on audiences. Service (CSS) Profile is impossible for States are at the forefront of technology Small group travel also personalizes the many financial aid applicants. U.S. HEIs use and operate from their mobile admissions process in ways that African need to be flexible and give vouchers phones, even if these phones are not students and parents appreciate. Small freely or accept a hard copy International the latest models, as much as any young groups can work with EducationUSA in Student Financial Aid Application people around the world. Across Africa, each country to set up programs. (ISFAA) to enable as many students as 93 percent use mobile devices and will possible to complete their applications. top Europe by 2020, by which time half • EducationUSA advisers recommend mini of all Africans will have smartphones. fairs and cluster school visits, at which • In English-speaking countries, students are WhatsApp is by far the most popular a group of secondary schools gather on willing to take the SAT/ACT or GRE/GMAT, platform, used for individual and one campus to meet visiting admissions but resist duplicating their efforts with an group communications. In Zimbabwe, representatives. It is important to start English proficiency test. In countries where WhatsApp accounts for 44 percent of planning with EducationUSA at least English is not the medium of instruction, all mobile internet usage in the country. two months ahead of time. students should be encouraged to take an Facebook Live is challenging Skype • Alumni in-country are essential because English-language proficiency test to help and webinars which are not easily run of their first-hand experience and demonstrate to the admissions office and on phones, and is popular for chats students’ ability to identify with them. the Consular officer that they are serious between students on U.S. campuses and Building a cadre of alumni in target students. applicants back home. Students and countries will accelerate recruitment. parents appreciate recorded webinars or Alumni can also represent U.S. HEIs at • HEIs should offer flexibility in testing videos on university admissions pages fairs and local events when an admissions requirements, which is especially and Facebook. Graduate applicants officer cannot be present. EducationUSA important in countries where certain will make a point to participate holds alumni-college fairs in countries tests are not offered or offered as in departmental webinars on the that attract few U.S. visitors. paper-based (GRE, TOEFL) only three admission process, faculty research, and times a year. the like. • U.S. HEIs can leverage existing connections with Africa (alumni, • In-house credential evaluation at U.S. Successful Recruiting Strategies academic partnerships, faculty coming HEIs allows more students to complete Colleges and universities should use from or working in target countries, their applications as it eliminates the funding awards judiciously, as these can community connections, sports) to cost and time element of independent make the difference in a decision to enroll. energize recruitment in new countries. evaluation, which may be a deterrent. Given that competitors such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and offer little • EducationUSA advisers recommend • A unique and clearly stated value or nothing in scholarships, although overall considering waiving application fees, as proposition from U.S. HEIs is important costs are lower, the United States can they are a challenge to process because and can influence African students and provide a unique approach and advantage. Africans use local mobile money accounts their families.

Five Countries of Origin (with over 100 students) with Highest Percentage Growth, International Students in the Region (Five-Year Trend) Country 2012/13 2016/17 %Change

Congo, Dem. Rep. of 386 1,137 194.6% Rwanda 565 1,088 92.6% Equatorial Guinea 196 360 83.7% 194.6%Congo, Dem. Rep. of has the largest Sudan 187 324 73.3% percentage growth in the region over the Sierra Leone 123 209 69.9% last five years (with over 100 students)

20 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov • U.S. HEI websites and literature should provide detailed costs and scholarship/ financial aid amounts, stating clearly which funds international students are eligible for. Availability of scholarships attracts applicants and sets up healthy competition.

• Admissions office responsiveness to student enquiries make them feel welcome and wanted.

Foreign Government and Private Funding Funding from governments of African countries is rare to nonexistent, especially in a context of falling oil prices. Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa are the only countries reporting limited scholarship schemes at present.

Regional EducationUSA Events EducationUSA Africa will hold its Regional Forum in Kampala, Uganda, from September 18–20. EducationUSA advisers from all countries with advising services and Expo Fair, sponsored by Rotary U.S. Study Abroad in Africa in Africa, REACs, U.S. Department of State Club and November: Campus Abroad Study abroad participation in Africa officials, Institute of International Education Education Fair rebounded in AY 2015–2016, gaining representatives, and representatives of almost 20 percent with 12,738 U.S. U.S. HEIs will attend. The program includes • Nigeria. September 24–25: students in Africa. South Africa is sessions, workshops, a country showcase, EducationUSA annual college fair in by far the most popular destination, and a college fair open to the public. Lagos, September 26–27 in Abuja welcoming 5,800 students, followed • Togo. April: Salon International des by Ghana (1,600), Tanzania (1,300), Fairs and Conferences Etudes et Formations Uganda (700), Kenya (700), • Cabo Verde. May-June: EducationUSA and Rwanda (400). The leading college fair in conjunction with U.S. • Uganda. March: Education Fair and Francophone destination is Senegal, Army Cadet Command, on three islands September: Careers Fair sponsored by receiving nearly 300 students. Rainbow International School • Chad. May: Career fair organized by alumni of Sacre Coeur High School • Zimbabwe. July: EducationUSA annual college fair in Harare • Lesotho. November: EducationUSA college fair For details on fairs and best times to visit, see individual country pages at www. • Mauritius. February: International Career educationusa.state.gov.

Best and Worst Times of the Year to Interact with Students (Face to Face and Virtually) Recruiting is a year-round process in Sub-Saharan Africa. The best times to plan travel are when schools are in session.

West and Central Africa. The best times to visit are January to March, May to mid-July, and October to November. Southern Africa. The best times to visit are February to May and July to August. East Africa. The best times to visit are March to June and October to November.

Times to avoid travel: Ramadan, Easter, Christmas, and exam periods (April to June and November to December).

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 21 East Asia and Pacific Regional EducationUSA Profile

Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, , Kiribati, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, , Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, , Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, Vietnam

EducationUSA advising centers in East sector faces a unique set of opportunities Asia and Pacific (EAP) cover a wide and challenges in meeting the ongoing EducationUSA geographic area and serve a diverse student demand for quality higher education while Advising Centers population that varies greatly in terms of maintaining its position as the leading in the Region academic goals, financial needs, and social/ academic destination worldwide. cultural preferences from one country to the next. Advising centers are located at Countries in the Spotlight 22 Comprehensive U.S. embassies and consulates, Fulbright Australia. With more than 30,000 24 Standard Commissions, and American Corners, students studying abroad, and 327,606 15 Reference as well as at local universities, libraries, international students studying in the 61 and non-governmental organizations country, Australia is both a strong source (NGOs). Three EducationUSA Regional of international students and a major Educational Advising Coordinators destination for study abroad students (REACs) are assigned to the large region, from around the world. Australia has and more than 80 EducationUSA advisers had 26 years of uninterrupted economic provide guidance and regional expertise to growth, and education is its third largest prospective students, U.S. higher education export. Australia is the eighth leading host institutions (HEIs), and other stakeholders. of U.S. study abroad students.

Regional Overview The number of Australian students The EAP region encompasses an expansive studying in the United States has risen area of land and sea, with almost a quarter consistently over the past decade, of the world’s population and a wide range and America is the top destination for of religions, languages, and cultures. This Australian students. According to the region includes many of the top places 2017 Open Doors report, 4,933 Australian of origin for international students in students are studying in the United the United States. With a total sending States, a 3.8-percent increase over the population of 522,594 students in AY 2016– previous year. Of the total, 48.6 percent 2017, the region accounts for approximately are students at the undergraduate level, 48.4 percent of all international students 23.1 percent graduate, and 9.2 percent in the United States, and the numbers in Optional Practical Training (OPT). continue to grow each year. Notably, OPT increased by 11.5 percent, which is consistent with students’ interest Recent Trends in internships and work experience. The region has exhibited steady growth in Opportunities for athletic scholarships and student mobility over the past five years due sports programs at all levels are popular to continuing interest in the American higher among Australian students, and Australia education sector and the value attributed is the third largest sender of National to international educational experiences Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)- by communities across EAP. However, as eligible athletes to the United States. The competition for international students graduate market is relatively untapped and increases, and more destinations in the is an area for growth potential. region and worldwide expand their capacity and presence in the international higher Although travel costs and the size education market, the U.S. higher education of the Australian continent can be a

22 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov challenge, U.S. intuitions can establish China. China remains the top sending an effective recruitment strategy by country of international students to the Indonesia. Based on the 2017 Open prioritizing EducationUSA and other United States, with interest in U.S. study Doors data, nearly 9,000 Indonesian student recruitment fairs, targeting less from students at all levels. A new Chinese students are studying in the United commonly visited cities and Western government initiative to develop world- States, which constitutes a 13-year high. Australia, and leveraging Australia’s class academic institutions and programs More than 61.6 percent of the Indonesian proximity to other growing markets has increased the number of Chinese students studying in the United States are including New Zealand, Indonesia, and universities seeking partnerships with undergraduates. Business management, the Pacific islands. U.S. institutions, including joint and dual STEM, language, education, and degree offerings. In AY 2016–2017, 350,755 international relations are the most popular Brunei. AY 2016–2017 marks the lowest students from China studied in the United fields of study, and a large number of number of Bruneians studying in the States, an increase of 6.8 percent from Indonesians are enrolling in community United States for the past five years. the previous year. Science, technology, colleges. Indonesian universities tend to The most recent 10.2-percent decrease engineering, and mathematics (STEM) search for joint degree programs, research in numbers reported by Open Doors is a and business remain the most popular collaboration, and student and lecturer reflection of Brunei’s overall economic fields but increasing numbers of Chinese exchanges with U.S. HEIs. slowdown, an effect of the rapid falling students are choosing to study arts, of oil and gas prices causing a significant education, and humanities. Japan. After years of steep decline, the reduction in the funds allocated for fall in the number of Japanese students national scholarship programs. These As of January 2017, the Chinese government studying in the United States has leveled, economic constraints have also affected will no longer issue licenses for study abroad and Japan is currently the eighth largest Bruneian student mobility to other agents. The impact of this policy change sender of international students to the countries such as the United Kingdom, on academic recruitment and placement United States. America remains the top Australia, and New Zealand. Previously service providers remains to be seen. destination for Japanese students, followed the Bruneian government sent between by China, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. 300 and 500 scholars abroad every According to World Education Services’ year for undergraduate and graduate research, Chinese students heavily weigh To foster greater global competitiveness programs. The United Kingdom, Australia, institutional rankings when selecting among the next generation of citizens, New Zealand, and neighboring countries colleges and universities abroad. Other the Japanese government aims to double are preferred destinations. important factors for Chinese students the rate of study abroad by 2020. The include admissions rates, location, and Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Cambodia. Cambodia’s economy future employment prospects. Reports in Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) is one of the fastest growing in the the Chinese media highlighting incidents has set a goal of sending 120,000 world, and its gross domestic product of violence in the United States have a Japanese university students and 60,000 is expected to continue growing at a significant impact on students’ choices high school students abroad by 2020. rate of approximately seven percent and have motivated some students to per year. With Cambodia’s booming choose Canada, the United Kingdom, or In its effort to build globaljinzai , or talent, economy, greater numbers of Cambodian Australia for study abroad. MEXT has implemented an array of projects, students are in a position to fund their education abroad. Seventy percent of the population is under the age of 35, with more young people striving to continue their education past the primary and secondary levels. The number of high- quality private international high schools in the country is also rapidly growing, and these institutions serve as a pipeline of better prepared Cambodian students who meet U.S. academic and admissions requirements. Many Cambodian students consider American institutions of higher education to be of the highest quality and are increasingly interested in community colleges as a result of the benefits of affordability and accessibility. English is used widely in Cambodia, including in government, NGOs, and major private sectors. The top five fields of interest among Cambodian students are business, economics, education, political science, and English literature.

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 23 East Asia and Pacific many in partnership with the private sector, is of high quality, many students, English language teaching, and Mongolian to encourage universities to internationalize especially non-Malaysian students, choose teachers are eager to pursue professional and to imbue the next generation of undergraduate programs in Malaysia and development. leaders with global competency. Key then go abroad for graduate study. The projects include the Top Global University Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia New Zealand. Student flow from New Project, the naming of Super Global has encouraged public universities to Zealand to the United States continues to High Schools, and MEXT cooperation prepare university graduates for “Industry trend upward with a 33-percent increase with the International Baccalaureate (IB) 4.0,” which is expected to be the next in the past five years. The United States is organization to increase the number of trend in manufacturing and will rely the second most popular study destination IB schools in Japan to 200 by 2018. In heavily on technologies such as data for New Zealand students after Australia. addition, an increasing number of academic exchange, automation, robotics, and the Much of the increase is attributed to more departments and disciplines at Japanese “Internet of Things”. students pursuing undergraduate degrees institutions are making overseas study and OPT in the United States. Opportunities compulsory, and universities are increasing Mongolia. According to the National for students to explore extracurricular their offerings of English language Statistics Office of Mongolia, the country’s activities, employment, and internships on coursework and programs to increase total population reached 3.1 million in 2016, American campuses should be highlighted English proficiency. with approximately 66.2 percent under when engaging prospective students during the age of 35. Mongolia is recovering from the recruitment process. New Zealand Malaysia. The number of Malaysian students an economic recession over the past few is a top ten sending country for student studying in the United States has increased years with support from the International athletes to the United States and sends steadily since AY 2007–2008, and the latest Monetary Fund and other international the second most student athletes to NCAA increase of 5.3 percent brings the total organizations. By the end of 2017, economic programs per capita. The opportunity to number to 8,247 for AY 2016–2017. However, growth in Mongolia had reached five play sports continues to be a key driver for the rate of increase has slowed among both percent. With an economy significantly undergraduate students. undergraduate and graduate populations. dependent on its mining sector, Mongolian Malaysian undergraduate student mobility economic projections remain positive as a New Zealand hosts a growing to the United States grew by only 1.4 result of higher prices for commodities such international student population of percent in AY 2016–2017 compared with as coal and copper. approximately 120,000 students from a 7.7-percent increase in AY 2015–2016, across the globe. Education New Zealand and graduate student mobility grew by The number of HEIs in Mongolia has (ENZ), New Zealand’s government agency 5.5 percent compared with 6.7 percent the decreased in the past ten years, as the for building international education, is previous year. The majority of Malaysian Ministry of Education has improved the working to improve, diversify, and expand students in the United States are members standards for accreditation. The Mongolian the country’s international education of the Chinese ethnic minority. higher education sector includes 18 public programs and secure international and 75 private colleges and universities, recognition of New Zealand’s academic Malaysia is becoming an education hub and many institutions, especially private credentials. ENZ also administers and more than 100,000 international universities, are seeking to establish joint scholarships to send students abroad. students from around the world, many degree programs and partnerships with from the Middle East and Africa, currently U.S. colleges and universities. In addition, In late 2017, New Zealand’s newly elected study at Malaysian institutions. Because there are opportunities for teacher government announced a plan for free the higher education system in Malaysia training programs in all fields, especially tertiary education. The policy, which the

Student Mobility in the Region (Five-Year Trend)

550,000 522,594 501,307 500,000 475,217

450,000 447,501 410,852 400,000

350,000

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

24 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov government will phase in over several current students, and other local language testing centers and preparatory years, will grant three full years of free institutional networks. Although the courses; however, courses are often not postsecondary study to any student who Seoul metropolitan area is still the major available to students in the provinces. To has not previously enrolled in tertiary source of students, other cities can take standardized tests, students from education. Despite this proposed policy yield prospective students but currently outside larger cities must travel, posing shift, EducationUSA offices in New have very little direct engagement with financial and logistical obstacles. Zealand continue to see a steady level of U.S. universities. Second and third tier interest in U.S. study. cities and Ministry of Education schools Approximately 40 United States–Vietnam remain untapped and attractive markets. joint programs offer BA, BS, MA, and MS Philippines. According to the annual Open Although mobility in all other academic degrees in various fields across the country. Doors report, the number of students from levels fell, OPT numbers for the Republic According to the Vietnamese Ministry of the Philippines studying in the United of Korea rose ten percent over the last Education and Training (MoET), business States increased 4.2 percent to 3,006 in AY year; particularly for graduate students. administration, computer science, finance, 2016–2017. According to the International U.S. institutions should highlight not only and banking are the most popular majors Consultants for Education and Fairs report the opportunity to pursue internships and within these joint programs. However, on outbound mobility, in 2014, the major on-campus employment but also specific joint programs in Vietnam also face study destinations for Filipinos were the success stories, especially stories of recent challenges such as high costs, complex legal United States, Australia, and the United South Korean graduates. South Korean frameworks, lack of qualified teaching staff, Kingdom. In-person recruitment in the students respond positively to alumni and curriculum alignment with foreign partners, Philippines remains an effective strategy. current students from similar backgrounds; and quality facilities. There has been a rise U.S. colleges and universities have a however, such content is noticeably lacking in United States–Vietnam joint programs number of options including EducationUSA or difficult to find on websites, marketing that offer Associate degrees in Vietnam and other recruitment fairs that travel materials, videos, and social media. followed by Bachelor’s degree completion through multiple countries consecutively in the United States. Approximately 70 throughout the region each year. According South Korean students in the United percent of Vietnamese students attend to a recent presentation during the 2017 States pursue degrees in a wide array of public high schools, but direct access for Commission on Higher Education General academic fields, and although just more American institutional representatives can Assembly, students from the Philippines than one-third enroll in STEM programs, be challenging, so recruitment fairs continue continue to prioritize traditional fields of large numbers study business, fine to provide the best opportunity to engage study including business and management; and applied arts, social sciences, and students and parents. engineering and technology; humanities, other fields. With advanced planning social sciences, and communications; as and promotion, recruitment targeting What to Expect in the Next Three well as health-related fields niche markets and fields of study can be to Five Years particularly effective. The Republic of Korea • EAP will continue to expand the Republic of Korea. The Republic of is a major recipient of students from the variety and quality of its international Korea, often referred to as South Korea, EAP region and numbers from other world educational opportunities. The growth is the third leading sender of students regions, including the United States, are of regional education hubs in Australia, worldwide to the United States, though also rising. As the Republic of Korea seeks China, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, mobility numbers continue to decline to solidify a position in the international New Zealand, and Singapore as well as as the result of a number of factors education landscape but struggles with existing international programs and the including a low birthrate, costs in relation domestic demographics and the decreasing presence of foreign branch campuses will to a U.S. education, and concerns about number of high school students, U.S. continue to provide an array of options future employability. Historically, the institutions seeking partnerships may need for students to study abroad within United States has been the most popular to emphasize the ways in which these the EAP region. Generous scholarships destination for South Korean students; collaborations are mutually beneficial and already encourage student mobility however, China has recently become bolster South Korean universities. from within the region and beyond. the number one destination. Interest in New Zealand and Australia are actively Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Vietnam. Vietnam is the top sender in working with other governments to Europe is also on the rise, and the Republic Southeast Asia of students to the United increase recognition of their education of Korea itself is improving its already States and ranks sixth among senders credentials and create pathways for robust higher education sector to become worldwide. The 2017 Open Doors data inbound and outbound mobility. a hub for international education in East highlights a 4.8-percent increase in Asia. Despite these shifts, more South enrollment over the past year, bringing • China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) Korean students are seeking full degrees the total number of students from initiative seeks to link countries in Asia, and choosing more long-term study Vietnam studying in the United States to Europe, and Africa to enhance economic abroad programs in the United States. 22,438. The most popular fields of study development and trade with these include business, finance/banking, and regions. China is investing heavily in Opportunities for U.S. institutions to economics followed by STEM fields, social related infrastructure projects including effectively recruit in the Republic of Korea sciences, and humanities. Vietnamese education and workforce development lie in sustained engagement, diversification students in major metropolitan areas have as the initiative creates opportunities for of outreach, and mobilization of alumni, ample access to academic and English international commerce and development.

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 25 East Asia and Pacific

Several countries have signed agreements High schools with international started to explore partnerships and joint to offer scholarships funded by the programs are seeking collaboration degree programs with foreign universities government of China. with U.S. institutions on extracurricular when that model is most mutually program development in STEM fields beneficial. Demand for OPT and study • EAP is a prime market for community and academic disciplines prioritized by abroad programs is growing in Australia colleges. According to the Open Doors national governments in the region, such and New Zealand, and some institutions report, the top four senders to U.S. as artificial intelligence, cyber security, have mandated international experience community colleges are all EAP countries: and others. The Japanese government for specific coursework and disciplines. China, Vietnam, the Republic of Korea, is also making efforts, particularly and Japan. Students from these top leading into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, to • Student mobility from Southeast Asia to four countries account for 42.1 percent internationalize curricula at all levels and the United States will likely continue to of the total international community send more Japanese students abroad. increase. In Singapore, where the domestic college population in the United States. demand for postsecondary education Prospective students are increasingly • T he demand for mutually beneficial exceeds the number of seats available, interested in community colleges as a institutional partnerships will remain students will look for opportunities result of the affordability and accessibility strong. Although Taiwan remains to study overseas. Although cost is a of these institutions, and the potential primarily a graduate market, more challenge for students from Burma, to complete four-year degrees in the undergraduate students will participate the increasing number of recruitment United States through articulation in short-term study abroad programs and visits by U.S. institutions is evidence that agreements. Intensive English language summer sessions in the United States. interest among prospective students, programs at American community Most Korean institutions have fruitful particularly in community colleges, is on colleges that offer students opportunities partnerships in multiple countries, but the rise. Burma has recently announced to increase language proficiency while they are prioritizing relationships with the new President’s Award Scholarships building strong academic foundations U.S. institutions that offer reciprocal for Burmese students to study abroad are also of interest to students across the student exchange. In Singapore, there has for undergraduate and graduate courses, region. Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia, and been an increase in university partnership which might also stimulate a boost in Mongolia are also promising markets for programs with locally based branch application numbers. U.S. community colleges. campuses of foreign institutions that provide opportunities for local students • In Malaysia, the current strengthening • Internationalization of higher education as to study at home and leverage subsidized of the ringgit against the U.S. dollar well as primary and secondary education tuition rates while obtaining an overseas makes higher education in the United is a growing trend in the region. Based degree. These partnerships are more States more affordable for students and on high demand, the number of private, prevalent among UK and Australian their families. Foreign degrees are an bilingual K–12 schools in China with universities, as U.S. institutions have advantage in the current competitive international curricula geared toward found collaboration with Singaporean job market, but American institutions students who intend to study abroad universities difficult as a result of the face increasingly strong competition for at the secondary and postsecondary difference in academic systems and Malaysian students from UK, Australian, level continues to grow. There are also calendars. Despite these challenges, and even Chinese universities that have increasing opportunities in second- and there has been a recent increase in branch campuses in Malaysia. third-tier cities for collaboration with collaboration between polytechnic Chinese high schools and universities institutions in the United States and • T he Philippines’ integration into the seeking partnerships with U.S. institutions. Singapore. HEIs in Singapore have Association of Southeast Nations

Five Countries of Origin (with over 100 students) with Highest Percentage Growth, International Students in the Region (Five-Year Trend) Country 2012/13 2016/17 %Change

China, People’s Rep of 235,597 350,755 48.9% Myanmar 955 1,351 41.5% Vietnam 16,098 22,438 39.4% China,48.9% People’s Rep of has the largest New Zealand 1,311 1,741 32.8% percentage growth in the region over the Cambodia 393 512 30.3% last five years (with over 100 students)

26 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov Five Countries of Origin (ASEAN) has resulted in a national policy growing rapidly or already at high levels, requiring local faculty to obtain graduate and EducationUSA advisers rely heavily in the Region with Highest degrees in their fields, presenting an on social media platforms to connect with Per Capita College-Age opportunity for U.S. institutions. In students in all countries across the region. Student Mobility to the addition, local institutions continue to express interest in practicum programs • Ninety-five percent of Filipinos are United States abroad and student exchanges. connected on Facebook alone. Social media use in Thailand continues to • After 16 consecutive years of increased grow, with 80 percent of connected student mobility to the United States, consumers using social media or Vietnam has developed a significant instant messaging platforms on a daily Republic of Korea population of local alumni from U.S. basis. According to the eMarketer 2017 institutions who, with the appropriate database, 75.8 percent of Taiwan’s College-Age authorization and guidance, can be population (approximately 17.8 million Population well positioned to promote their people) use smartphones, and Facebook 1.7% 3,504,267 alma maters and U.S. study in their Live has also become an effective way local communities. The Vietnamese to reach young people. The internet is government has prioritized the widely available and very affordable improvement of higher education in Singapore, and most public places quality, increased budget allocations (including the train system and many for education, liberalized private sector restaurants) have free WiFi access. involvement, and encouraged foreign Facebook dominates the field in participation in the development of Singapore where more than 70 percent Macau education and training services. One of all citizens have an account. YouTube College-Age noteworthy initiative in Vietnam is and WhatsApp follow closely, each Population intended to establish a New Model holding 50-percent market penetration. 1.4% University that will comply with 43,154 international standards and include • E ven emerging student markets in EAP partnership agreements with an array of are becoming increasingly connected via foreign institutions. Current examples of social media, and recent infrastructure bilateral ventures include the Vietnam- upgrades have increased internet Japan University in Hanoi, Vietnam- speeds in the Pacific Islands of Palau, Tonga German University in Ho Chi Minh City, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia. An University of Science and Technology of increasing number of Mongolians use College-Age Hanoi, and Vietnam-France University. smartphones to access online content, 1.3% Population and internet penetration—currently at 36 10,012 • In the coming three to five years, percent (according to Internet Live Stats) students from Thailand are expected —continues to grow each year. In Laos, to remain interested in international as of December 2017, approximately 1.5 education, become better qualified to million people had access to the internet apply to U.S. HEIs, and see increased (about 20 percent of the population), and opportunities to engage with American high-speed internet, LTE, and 4.5G access Palau colleges and universities. Based on College-Age trends in recent years, it is expected that Population full-length business and engineering 1.1% programs as well as short-term English 1,364 language programs in the United States Regional Student Totals will remain popular. Thai students’ Top Five Countries of Origin interest in U.S. education stems in part from shifts that have occurred since Country 2016/17 % Change the opening of the ASEAN Economic 2015/16 Mongolia Community that have encouraged College-Age students to develop cross-cultural China, PR 350,755 6.8% 0.5% Population communication and English language Rep. of Korea 58,663 -3.8% skills. The Thai government is improving Vietnam 22,438 4.8% 261,878 the education system and curriculum Taiwan 21,516 1.8% to better reflect international standards and modern technology. Japan 18,780 -1.5% Source: UNESCO Institute of Statistics; Indicator: 2015 Population of the official age for tertiary Virtual and Social Media Usage education, both sexes Internet penetration across EAP is either

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 27 East Asia and Pacific

is available in most major cities. Many online experience in Thailand where 92 institution. Work with EducationUSA businesses offer free WiFi connections; percent of connected consumers are centers to highlight this content on however, the price of internet service is users, according to Connected Life. social media pages. quite variable, and users choose their own speeds and packages. • As high-speed internet penetration • Recognize that in-person recruitment increases, so do opportunities for online travel in the region is a must. An • Although there is some consistency promotion of events, engagement investment in sustained engagement over across EAP, the social media platforms with students through social media, time to build trust and name recognition of choice among students can vary by and video outreach through platforms remains very important in Asian context country, so U.S. institutions interested such as Facebook Live, Zoom, and where students and families are brand in reaching students virtually are Google. Many EducationUSA centers conscious and parents are deeply involved encouraged to contact EducationUSA in EAP promote events through center in the selection of institutions. centers for guidance on the most or embassy webpages, and some offer effective strategies. The most widely opportunities for U.S. institutions to • Attend EducationUSA fairs, regional used platforms in the region include connect with students live virtually and forums, and other programs to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and archive videos of these engagements for maximize engagement with students Twitter. Australia and New Zealand future viewing on demand. and EducationUSA advisers. follow this trend, but Snapchat is also gaining popularity in the region, and Successful Recruiting Strategies • Diversify outreach strategies and target webinars, partly as a result of time • Provide specific information about second- or third-tier cities, underserved differences, are not as effective as in- financial assistance. Most students rely communities, and less commonly person engagement. on personal or family funds to study visited countries. overseas. Target information about • Social media is an important funding opportunities to specific student Foreign Government and Private Funding communication tool through which demographics by producing materials Brunei. To offset the impact of current Chinese students and parents obtain in local languages and highlighting economic challenges, the government information about studying in the opportunities relevant to their needs. of Brunei has introduced a student loan United States, but many popular social program offering partial or full low-interest media platforms such as Facebook, • Provide information to students and loans with flexible repayment options. Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, as parents about campus safety, student Successful loan applicants who perform at well as Google products are blocked in services, and extracurricular activities specified academic levels may also qualify China. EducationUSA encourages U.S. for international students. for loan-to-scholarship-conversion benefits institutions to employ the Chinese social upon graduation. The government also media equivalents to reach Chinese • Provide information about student designed loans to support high-performing students and parents. The majority of internship and work-study opportunities. students who have fallen just short of the Chinese population is active on Graduate students are especially government scholarship criteria. The loan mobile devices, and WeChat is currently interested in gaining laboratory, program also allows successful graduates the most popular social media platform research, and teaching experience. to pursue work/study opportunities available on smartphones. Sina Weibo prohibited within the government also holds a strong market share • Community colleges should provide scholarship programs. among Chinese social media users. Live detailed information about articulation streaming has recently become popular agreements and the process of Cambodia. The Cambodian government among young people in China, and many transferring to four-year institutions. does not provide any funding to support educational programs are streamed to students studying abroad in the United reach the widest audience possible. • P articipate in EducationUSA high school States. Leading sources of funding for counselor training programs, where U.S. study are the Fulbright Fellowship, • Facebook and Instagram have grown in offered. These programs can help build SHE-CAN (www.shecan.global), and Korea recently, but Naver is still the search institutional relationships with influential the Open Society Scholarship Programs and social platform of choice. Kakao Talk local high school counselors and multiply (www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about/ and its suite of services is also used almost the impact of outreach efforts as they programs/scholarship-programs). ubiquitously, and many U.S. institutions share information with their students. have taken advantage of Kakao Talk’s China. Of Chinese students studying abroad many features for outreach. Twitter • Develop attractive, easy-to-navigate, globally, 91.5 percent are self-funded, but and YouTube are popular in Japan, and mobile-ready websites and online the China Scholarship Council also offers Instagram use has also grown significantly. resources for international students. hundreds of government scholarships for Instabae, a newly coined Japanese term Consider versions for country-specific Chinese and American students and faculty. to describe things that look good on platforms in targeted markets. The Chinese government increased the Instagram, was picked as one of the 30 FY2017 budget to support international candidates for the top buzzword of the • Use video testimonials to share success study programs by 9.17 percent to more year in Japan for 2017. Interestingly, the stories of alumni or international than RMB3.8 billion. This amount includes Japanese platform, LINE, dominates the students who currently study at an funding for Americans studying for a

28 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov degree or academic credit in China and National Scholars for undergraduate studies Fulbright-CHED Scholarships for Chinese students studying abroad. The at top-ranked universities around the world, administered by the Philippine Fulbright Chinese government also gives preference including those in the United States. PSD Commission (goo.gl/SVThwF). to countries affiliated with the OBOR also offers bursaries (80 percent tuition initiative for additional scholarships. coverage) to select students for study Singapore. Singapore has a long history overseas. Other scholarships include Astro of providing both government and private Indonesia. The Indonesian government Scholarship Award, Maxis What’s Next sector scholarships for overseas study, offers an array of scholarship programs, Scholarship, CIMB ASEAN Scholarship, and and these scholarships typically cover the including the popular Indonesian Maybank Scholarship Program. full cost of tuition and fees plus a living Endowment Fund for Education’s LPDP stipend and airfare. These scholarships Scholarship, which provides full tuition Mongolia. The Ministry of Education, often require students to attend highly and expense coverage for graduate Culture, Science, and Sports (MECSS) ranked universities overseas. Among studies (www.kemlu.go.id/newyork/id/ supports study abroad opportunities the well-known scholarship programs Pages/Beasiswa.aspx#). for Mongolian students. MECSS also in Singapore are the Public Service provides partial scholarships for graduate Commission Scholarship, Ministry of Japan. MEXT and Keidanren (Japan (Master’s and Doctorate) students Defense Scholarship, A*STAR Scholarship, Business Federation) provide a number accepted to institutions listed in the Times and Singapore-Industry Scholarship. of scholarship options for Japanese Higher Education Top 500 list and QS However, dozens of other organizations students. In FY2014, MEXT launched the World University Rankings. According offer scholarships such as the Land Japan Public-Private Partnership Student to the Mongolian Education Loan Fund, Transport Authority and Singapore Press Study Abroad Program—TOBITATE! Young MECSS will select 60 to 70 Master’s and Holdings (www.brightsparks.com.sg, www. Ambassador Program (www.tobitate. Doctorate students for this scholarship scholarshipguide.com.sg). mext.go.jp/guide/scholarship/index. program with funding of USD$16,000 per html), which offers funding in support of year (www.mecss.gov.mn/scholarship). The Republic of Korea. The Korea the Japanese government goal to double Student Aid Foundation provides financial the number of students studying abroad Philippines. The Commission on Higher assistance to students through grants, by 2020. The Japan Student Services Education (CHED) has established scholarships, loans, and work-study Organization provides a comprehensive list of local government scholarships in an annual document and an updated U.S. Study Abroad resource online (bit.ly/JASSO).

The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public- Top Five Receiving Countries in the Region private partnership between the U.S.- Japan Council and the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, with support from the government Destination 2015/16 % Change of Japan. Born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan China, People’s Rep of 11,688 -8.6% Earthquake, TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and Australia 9,536 8.2% American leaders through educational Japan 7,145 18.0% and cultural exchanges and leadership New Zealand 3,806 14.5% programs as well as through scholarships Republic of Korea 3,622 2.9% for study abroad (usjapantomodachi.org).

Malaysia. The number of scholarships for U.S. study offered by Malaysian companies and government agencies has Five Countries (with over 100 students) with Highest recently declined, but major companies such as Khazanah Nasional, Petronas, Percentage Growth, U.S. Students in the Region and Bank Negara continue to fund U.S. (Five-Year Trend) educational opportunities. Many of these scholarships are however reserved Country Name 2011/12 2015/16 % Change for Bumiputra students (Malay Muslim Cambodia 303 594 96.0% and associated ethnic groups). Thus, Philippines 273 460 68.5% students from Chinese, Indian, and other ethnic groups must find other routes for Indonesia 369 597 61.8% financing their studies abroad. Malaysia 176 279 58.5% Thailand 1,437 2,093 45.7% The Public Service Department (PSD) in Malaysia offers full scholarships to its

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 29 East Asia and Pacific programs. The foundation administers the 150 Bachelor’s degree holders and 1,650 as the wave of interest in Korean popular Dream Scholarship, which provides funding Master’s degree holders. The United and traditional culture increases. The for academically gifted high school students States is among the eligible destinations momentum from the 2018 PyeongChang who want to study abroad in full degree for students. Olympics will also contribute to this trend. programs. The government has increased the number of scholarships awarded per U.S. Study Abroad in the Region According to 2017 Open Doors data, year (www.kosaf.go.kr). The EAP region includes five of the top Southeast Asia experienced an overall 25 destinations for U.S. students: China, 6.4-percent increase of U.S. study In addition, the Korea Foundation for Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the abroad students to the region. Malaysia, Advanced Studies provides funding for Republic of Korea. China is the sixth largest Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, and students to study in the fields of social recipient of U.S. study abroad students and Vietnam all showed increased U.S. student science, natural science, computer science, the number one receiving country in EAP numbers from the previous year. Specific and information technology-related overall. However, U.S. student numbers to student interest in Malaysia included disciplines at the graduate level (bit.ly/ China have declined in recent years. agriculture, Islamic banking and finance, KFAS-Scholarship). The Mirae Asset Park and religious studies programs. Meanwhile, Hyeon Joo Foundation provides one year of In Northeast Asia and the Pacific sub- American students who chose to study undergraduate scholarships for exchange region, U.S. students are increasingly in Indonesia predominately selected programs (bit.ly/MiraeAssetScholarship). interested in Australia and New Zealand, programs in the STEM fields, business, And the National Institute for International Education supports students with USD$35,000 to USD$50,000 per year to Best and Worst Times of the Year to Interact with pursue a graduate degree in the United States (bit.ly/NIIEDGradScholarship). Students (Face to Face and Virtually) Spring and fall are the best times to visit most countries in the EAP region. Visitors Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of Education should consider the lunar calendar, religious and cultural events, and diverse and other Taiwan institutions provide academic calendars within the EAP region. Each year, the specific dates of holidays study abroad scholarships for Master’s and and exam periods can shift, so please check with the local EducationUSA offices or Doctorate degree-seeking students (www. school counterparts to ensure availability and a productive outreach itinerary. scholarship.moe.gov.tw/). Times to avoid travel: The Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (FSE) administers the Fulbright program • Lunar New Year (February 5 in 2019) the date of this holiday changes according in Taiwan. More information about FSE, to the lunar calendar and the surrounding days will be a season of closures and including information about funding heavy holiday travel in much of the region opportunities for Taiwan students to study • April Songkran holidays in Laos and Thailand, Chaul Chnam Khmer or Songkran in the United States is available online in Cambodia, and Thingyan in Myanmar (www.fulbright.org.tw). • Ramadan (Fasting month) and a vacation period afterward of approximately two weeks in countries that are predominantly Muslim Vietnam. The Vietnamese government • Chuseok or Autumn festival holiday in Korea and China (September 23–26 in continues to invest in higher education 2018) are major closure and travel seasons to meet national human resource and • Major exam periods for high school students in Korea in mid-spring and fall workforce development needs. Since 2000, (dates vary from year to year) the government has established an array of • Winter break (late December through late February) in Korea for high schools, nationally funded scholarship programs to unless advanced planning and promotion can ensure an audience produce Doctorate, Master’s, and Bachelor’s • Australia degree holders. The Vietnam International - Mid-April (around Easter) Education Development (VIED) program - Early to mid-July under MoET manages these scholarships - Late September to Early October (vied.vn/en). - Late December to late January

The Project 599 (2013–2020) Scholarship provides undergraduate and Master’s- and these two countries continue to and the social sciences. In Vietnam, only a level training. Eligible candidates include expand their visibility as their governments small number of Vietnamese HEIs have the lecturers at Vietnamese postsecondary strengthen international education capacity to create exchange programs for institutions; government officials; and offerings and engagement. Japan has international students; therefore, short- students who are the first, second, or third had consistently strong U.S. study abroad term programs of only one to four weeks prize holders in international Olympiads and numbers, and as host of the 2020 Olympics are most common. Thailand still hosts the international competitions in the fields of Games, interest in, and awareness of, Japan largest number of U.S. students studying culture, arts, and fitness or sports organized is expected to grow. The Republic of Korea abroad in Southeast Asia and welcomed by MoET and Ministry of Culture, Sports, has also emerged as a top recipient of 2,093 students in AY 2015–2016. and Tourism. The project aims to produce U.S. students, which will likely continue

30 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov Europe and Eurasia Regional EducationUSA Profile

Albania, Armenia, , Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, , Czech Republic, , Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, , Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, , Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, , , Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, , , Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Regional EducationUSA Profile were studying at a community college in In Europe and Eurasia, 120 EducationUSA the United States. Despite a region-wide centers (32 comprehensive, 41 standard, decrease in community college enrollment EducationUSA 47 reference) are located at Fulbright of slightly more than one percent over Advising Centers Commissions, local non-governmental the past five years,Open Doors indicates in the Region organizations, universities and high that community college enrollment schools, American Councils offices, has increased by 50 percent or more in bi-national centers, U.S. embassies Albania, Cyprus, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, 32 Comprehensive and consulates, and American Spaces. Montenegro, Netherlands, and Slovenia. In 41 Standard EducationUSA has advising programs in Albania, Armenia, Moldova, Sweden, and 47 Reference 46 countries in Europe and Eurasia and 145 Ukraine, the percentage of students at 120 advisers who continue to expand the scope community colleges is one-third or more and quality of services and demonstrate of the total undergraduate students from creative innovation in programming. these countries. The community college model is attractive to students in Europe Regional Overview and Eurasia as a result of the relatively low Student mobility from Europe and Eurasia cost of attendance, simplified admissions to the United States has increased by process, and Optional Practical Training more than eight percent over the past five (OPT) opportunities upon completion of the years to 92,820 students, according to Associate’s degree and before transferring the 2017 Open Doors report. This number to a four-year undergraduate program. represents nearly nine percent of the total number of international students studying Student athletes are an important market at U.S. colleges and universities. Seventy- among undergraduate students from two percent of students from the region Europe and Eurasia, and students from the are studying in full degree programs at region regularly earn athletic scholarships the undergraduate and graduate level. from U.S. institutions. Popular sports in the The 2017 Open Doors report highlights an region include basketball, fencing, rowing, overall increase of nearly 16 percent in the swimming, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. number of undergraduate students since Southeastern Europe has traditionally 2013. This number represents 58 percent been a strong sub-region for attracting of the total number of degree-seeking student athletes, but U.S. institutions students from Europe and Eurasia. The will find highly ranked student athletes increase is especially noteworthy in light throughout the region. In many cases, of the 10-percent decrease over the past highly competitive athletes do not have five years in the population of people ages the option to combine academic studies 15–24 in the region (Source: census.gov). and their sport at the undergraduate level in their home countries, so they look to the EducationUSA advisers actively promote United States for this opportunity. U.S. community colleges to students in the region. According to the 2017 Open The number of graduate students from Doors report, approximately 15 percent of Europe and Eurasia continues to decline all undergraduate students from the region but still makes up approximately 30

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 31 Europe and Eurasia percent of the total number of students of the total number of German students United States. Opportunity Funds cover from the region in the United States. in the United States are enrolled in these all of the upfront costs of applying to Factors influencing this decrease include types of programs. Overall, programs U.S. institutions. Most students enrolled population decline, the availability of offering only English language instruction in the Opportunity Funds program who quality English-language programs within are less popular than those offering a gain admission and a scholarship to an the region, and the increased visibility of broader range of academic programs. accredited U.S. institution are eligible to opportunities in Canada, Australia, and receive additional funding to cover visa China. Countries with the greatest number EducationUSA advisers, U.S. embassies, and Student Exchange Visitor Information of students at the graduate level include students, and parents recognize the System fees, transportation to campus, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Germany, benefits of cohort advising programs such and a modest settling-in allowance. If an France, and Spain. Graduate students in as Competitive College Clubs (CCCs). institution is able to provide full funding the region are particularly interested in These cohort programs are currently to support one or more international science, technology, engineering, and offered in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, student scholarships, engaging with mathematics (STEM) fields, business Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, EducationUSA Opportunity Funds cohort and management, computer science, Macedonia, Montenegro, Portugal, Russia, students is an excellent way to add talent and international relations. There is also Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine with a new and diversity to U.S. campuses. sustained interest in Master of Laws (LLM) cohort operating in Georgia beginning programs, especially in Western Europe in January 2018. CCCs not only assist Recent Trends and Ukraine. EducationUSA organizes an students to prepare for the admissions • In AY 2016–2017, Open Doors reported annual LLM tour in the region, which will process but also deliver programming that 92,820 students from Europe and be held in November 2018. that helps prepare them for the U.S. Eurasia studied in the United States, classroom experience. Although CCCs a record number representing a one- The Bologna Process, which aims to align are the EducationUSA network’s best- percent increase over the previous year higher education systems across Europe, known cohort programs, they are just and nine percent of the total number of makes it difficult for some European one of many cohort advising models and international students worldwide. The students to gain admission to U.S. programs available to students in Europe top five countries of origin for U.S. study graduate schools because of standard and Eurasia. from Europe and Eurasia are the United three-year European Bachelor’s degree Kingdom, Turkey, Germany, France, and programs. Therefore, shorter programs In Europe and Eurasia, the Opportunity Spain. These five countries represent such as semester-long exchange Funds program is available to citizens and 48 percent of all students in the United programs and thematic (non-English officially recognized refugees in Armenia, States from the region. Notable increases as a Second Language [ESL]) summer Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in student mobility occurred from programs have gained in popularity over Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Luxembourg (37.2 percent), Albania the past few years. Approximately 17 Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The Bureau (10.8 percent), Italy (8.5 percent), Spain percent of students from the region are of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the (7.9 percent), Ukraine (8.2 percent), enrolled in non-degree programs in the Department of State offers Opportunity Romania (6.2 percent), and Lithuania United States, and this area is anticipated Funds to provide assistance to students (5.7 percent). In AY 2016–2017, 26 of to grow over the next few years. Germany who are academically gifted but unable the 46 countries in Europe and Eurasia continues to be an important market for to afford the costs of applying to and experienced positive growth in student short-term programs; more than one-third enrolling in accredited institutions in the mobility to the United States.

Student Mobility in the Region (Five-Year Trend)

96,000

92,820 93,000 91,915

90,625 90,000

87,000 86,885 85,823

84,000

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

32 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov • The major concern for students and Hungary, Russia, and Ukraine. population of Albania. The government parents from the region continues to is very supportive of Albanian students be the cost of studying in the United • Pr e-college summer programs are studying overseas and encourages alumni States. Many families recognize that attractive for high school students and who have studied abroad to work for education is an important, and often their families in the region as a means to the government or to teach at public expensive, investment, and are attracted prepare students for gaining admissions universities in Albania. to schools and programs that provide to U.S. institutions. Parents and a return on that investment. Obtaining students are looking for programming There are two EducationUSA advisers work experience in the major field of opportunities beyond English language at the EducationUSA center in Tirana, study is difficult for students completing instruction, though perfecting English Albania. The advisers work with 35 education in their home countries or language skills is a major focus for CCC students annually. U.S. university elsewhere in the region, so participation most students who participate in these representatives are encouraged to get in OPT is a major draw when considering programs. Although still a relatively new involved with the CCC students and studying in the United States. The model, the EducationUSA Academy is engage with them virtually or in-person. number of students from the region gaining in popularity in the region. In More than 30 percent of students that enrolled in OPT has increased by more the 2017 admissions cycle, 35 of the 135 visit the advising center in Tirana have than 29 percent over the past five years total participants came from Europe expressed interest in 2+2 programs, and and is expected to continue growing and Eurasia. Many U.S. embassies in the over the past five years, the number of as current degree-seeking students region recognize the importance of pre- Albanian students studying at community complete their studies. college summer programs, and a number colleges in the United States has doubled of U.S. embassies in the region provide to almost 150. Albanian students attract • High-profile economic and political scholarships to support academically financial aid, and their parents are able to challenges in the region, especially in talented students. Many of these students contribute significantly to their children’s Greece, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine, have come from low-income families, are education. Albanian students are not adversely affected student mobility. minorities, or have no prior experience in particularly interested in graduate studies, Instead, they often serve as a push the United States, and many are active and there has been a 17-percent increase factor for students to study in the United members of cohort advising programs. in students enrolled in graduate programs States. Many local currencies have fallen Students also participate with funds over the past year. Business, computer significantly versus the dollar in the region from their family resources or external science, and engineering are among the over the past five years, even as student foundations. Students from Armenia, most popular fields of study for students. mobility numbers have remained stable Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Belgium, Alumni are invited to participate in the or even increased. For example, over the France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, alumni fair, which takes place in May. past three years, the Russian ruble lost Luxembourg, Montenegro, Poland, Albania will also be added as a new stop 85 percent of its value against the dollar, Romania, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and to the 2019 Southeastern Europe Tour. and the Turkish lira lost 62 percent of its Ukraine have participated in previous value (Source: Bloomberg Bloomberg EducationUSA Academies. Belarus. The EducationUSA team for Markets). Despite this, the number of Belarus, located in Vilnius, Lithuania, students in the United States from those • Students and their parents are conducts extensive virtual outreach and countries has remained nearly the same. increasingly focused on STEM education programming for students in Belarus, In addition, the economic crisis in Greece at the high school level throughout the which includes CCC and Opportunity did not negatively affect the number region. In 2017, some high schools in Funds cohorts. Although options for in- of Greek students pursuing their higher Bosnia and Herzegovina introduced country engagement for the U.S. higher education in the United States. In fact, classes in robotics and coding, and education community continue to be the United States has seen a 40-percent Georgia implemented a national limited, the EducationUSA team made increase in the number of undergraduate strategy to increase STEM education. All significant progress in 2017 connecting degree-seeking students from Greece American Spaces in Europe and Eurasia with key stakeholders, local education over the past five years. Ukraine also saw now offer Makerspace programs for contacts, and students in Belarus. a 22-percent increase in students coming students, entrepreneurs, and citizens to to the United States during the same time have access to modern tools to design, One of the most notable events in 2017 period. build, and manufacture products. U.S. was a workshop for Belarusian university universities can expect STEM fields to administrators on building the capacity • A growing number of parents are seeking remain a strong focus for students from to host American study abroad students. better education opportunities for their Europe and Eurasia in the years to come. The workshop was conducted in Vilnius children from an earlier age and are and included 25 Belarusian educators, actively considering high school study Countries in the Spotlight representatives from the Ministry of abroad options. Throughout the region, Albania. The number of Albanian Education in Belarus, the U.S. Embassy EducationUSA advisers are regularly asked students studying in the United States in Minsk, and the Charge D’Affaires of about boarding schools in the United has risen more than 20 percent over the the Belarusian Embassy in Vilnius. This States at events and in consultations, with past five years. In Europe, Albania has workshop was the first time such high- notable interest from parents in Austria, the highest proportion of students ages level Belarusian government officials Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, 15–24, more than 17 percent of the total actively supported and participated in an

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 33 Europe and Eurasia

EducationUSA workshop. It was the first EducationUSA is now actively informing development of study abroad programs of many workshops being planned for students and their families of this between Croatia and the United Belarusian university administrators and important change. States. The seminar was supported the Ministry of Education. U.S. HEIs are by the Croatian Ministry of Science especially encouraged to collaborate with Belarusian student mobility to the United and Education and the Agency for EducationUSA and local institutions in States has been relatively steady every Mobility. Stakeholders from Croatian Belarus on projects that foster U.S.-Belarus year. According to the 2017 Open Doors HEIs, ministries, and agencies who partnerships for student and faculty report, 319 students from Belarus studied work in the field of internationalization exchanges, dual-degree programs, and in the United States in 2017. Belarusian and academic mobility attended the study abroad programs for Americans. students are particularly interested seminar. Speakers from the Croatian in graduate studies, and there was a Ministry of Science and Education, Since early 2017, U.S. citizens and those 5.7-percent increase in the number of Agency for Mobility, Agency for from 79 other countries have been able students enrolled in graduate programs Science and Higher Education, and to travel to Belarus for five days without over the previous year. The business representatives from the Croatian higher a visa, which makes it significantly easier and information technology (IT) sectors education community shared their best for U.S. higher education representatives continue to be popular majors at both the practices on study abroad initiatives to travel to the country for recruitment graduate and undergraduate levels, but developed with U.S. universities. purposes. This visa-free travel option, in international relations, law, marketing, and addition to the success of the capacity- the arts are also gaining popularity. EducationUSA advisers in Zagreb will building workshop with Belarusian continue to work on new and innovative university administrators, prompted Croatia. The government of Croatia programs in 2018 to establish more EducationUSA Belarus to organize the has a strong commitment to increasing university partnerships between Croatia inaugural U.S. Higher Education Fair in student mobility and developed a policy and the United States and increase both Minsk as part of the 2018 EducationUSA to increase both inbound and outbound inbound and outbound student mobility. Eurasia and Baltics Tour. Previously, the student mobility by at least 20 percent Regarding outbound student mobility, only opportunity Belarusian students by 2020. Croatia is interested in Croatian interest in undergraduate had to meet with U.S. HEIs was to travel developing partnerships with U.S. studies is increasing, and there has been a to higher education fairs in neighboring universities for study abroad programs 3.7-percent increase in Croatian students countries. The EducationUSA Fair in Minsk for U.S. students. In addition, the enrolled in U.S. undergraduate programs is expected to generate significant interest number of U.S. study abroad students over the past year. Business, engineering, in the United States among Belarusians. in Croatia has more than doubled since international relations, and diplomacy are 2012 to more than 400 students. The among the most popular fields of study Another positive recent development EducationUSA team in Zagreb, which is for Croatian students. was the U.S. Embassy Minsk’s recent hosted by the Institute for Development announcement that it is issuing all of Education, continues to work with The United Kingdom has increased its categories of non-immigrant visas, several key stakeholders on developing recruitment efforts in Croatia over the including F visas. Belarusian students innovative programs aimed at increasing past year. Nevertheless, the number often traveled to Moscow in the past for student mobility. of outbound students in Croatia who their student visa interviews. This policy have chosen the United States as their change eliminated one of the largest In 2017, EducationUSA successfully study abroad destination is twice the obstacles for Belarusian students who organized a one-day expert seminar number of students who selected the want to access U.S. higher education, and on internationalization and the United Kingdom. A great way to meet

Five Countries of Origin (with over 100 students) 57.1% with Highest Percentage Growth, International Norway has Students in the Region (Five-Year Trend) the largest percentage Country 2012/13 2016/17 %Change growth in the region over Kosovo 106 244 130.2% the last five Spain 5,033 7,164 42.3% years (with Luxembourg 87 118 35.6% 130.2%Kosovo has the largest percentage growth over 100 Netherlands 1,948 2,551 30.9% in the region over the last five years(with students) Italy 4,276 5,593 30.8% over 100 students)

34 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov prospective students in Croatia is to for full degree programs, students often Five Countries of Origin attend the EducationUSA Southeastern look to U.S. institutions for merit and in the Region with Highest Europe Fair in April, the Higher Education sports scholarships. Per Capita College-Age and Scholarships Fair in October, or the Student Mobility to the EducationUSA LLM fair in November. Although limited in scope, there is also a significant market for gap-year United States Germany. Germany has an excellent options for students younger than 18 and largely tuition-free system of higher who are interested in programs that education. The past few decades have provide an overview of various fields of seen a steady rise in private institutions: study including business, language, and 117 of the 396 registered institutions of intercultural training courses. Secondary Iceland higher learning are private and fee-based. school students in a vocational track Students within this diversified and College-Age (ten general school years plus two to growing system can receive generous three years of practical training) find Population 1.6% support to study abroad, including study the flexible U.S. community college 24,998 in the United States. system appealing, as there is no German equivalent. Professional Master’s Experience abroad is considered a key programs, such as LLMs, also tend to be advantage for students, particularly in popular among German students. Each the fields of law, economics, business, year, Germany sends approximately medicine, and the social sciences. An 20,000 J-1 participants to the United increasing number of students, however, States. This includes large numbers of favors short-term programs or internships high school exchange students and au Norway as a result of the high costs associated pairs who are often keen to continue College-Age with study in the United States. In AY their education in the United States. Population 2016–2017, 42.5 percent of German 0.7% students participated in non-degree Lithuania. In 2017, TAMO, the country’s 344,071 programs or OPT internships. Although largest online school survey, polled the Bologna Bachelor’s/Master’s system 1,243 students in grades 9–12 on their allows for study or work abroad, the attitudes toward emigration. Of the process has shortened the time in which students polled, 77.6 percent indicated a student is expected to finish a degree. they intended to emigrate either for work Cyprus International programs that combine or study. The survey prompted concern both study and practical training are among authorities as the country’s College-Age particularly appealing to these students. population decline has accelerated since 0.6% Population joining the EU in 2004. In the past five 61,839 Currently, one-third of all German years alone, the population age 15–24 students spends time abroad during has declined by 146 percent (Source: their studies. The Federal Ministry of census.gov). To increase the quality and Education and Research aims for that competitiveness of Lithuanian higher number to increase to more than 50 education, the government enacted a percent by 2020. The European Union series of reforms to consolidate HEIs in Sweden (EU)-sponsored Erasmus+ program the country from 14 to eight (Source: The College-Age is very popular and has contributed Times of Higher Education). The plan Population to the majority of German students 0.6% staying in Europe for their study abroad 688,068 experience. The United States remains, 57.1% however, the number one destination Regional Student Totals Norway has outside of Europe with 10,169 German the largest students currently enrolled in U.S. Top Five Countries of Origin percentage institutions. There are a number of Country 2016/17 % Change growth in the Ireland financial support opportunities for 2015/16 region over College-Age German students seeking non-degree the last five Population programs at U.S. HEIs. In addition to the 0.5% United Kingdom 11,489 -0.9% years (with 256,950 German Academic Exchange Service over 100 (DAAD) and the German Fulbright Turkey 10,586 -1.0% students) Commission, German universities Germany 10,169 0.2% maintain more than 2,200 partnerships France 8,814 0.6% Source: UNESCO Institute of Statistics; Indicator: with U.S. universities. As there is almost Spain 7,164 7.9% 2015 Population of the official age for tertiary no government financial support education, both sexes available from the German government

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 35 Europe and Eurasia aims to focus on STEM fields and reduce admissions, and students returning from and Development (OECD), Luxembourg the number of majors offered from 1,800 U.S. summer work and travel programs for is in the top five countries for completion to 700. This reduction in available degree graduate studies. of higher education degrees in the programs is expected to be a push factor 25–34 and 35–44 age ranges, so there for students who want to study abroad. Luxembourg. In 2017, the number of is a long-standing dedication to higher Luxembourgish university students in the education in the country. Historically, the Establishing personal connections with United States increased by more than neighboring countries of Belgium, France, students is an effective way to recruit in 37 percent from the previous year to a and Germany have absorbed the largest Lithuania, yet few U.S. HEIs travel to the total of 188 students. In the coming years, numbers of students leaving Luxembourg region or have any region-specific online EducationUSA programming initiatives in pursuit of a university degree. In the marketing efforts. Each year, EducationUSA such as the administration of the past several decades, however, the United advisers participate in the annual “Days of Luxembourg College Night, EducationUSA Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada International Education (STUDIES)” fair, school outreach visits, and scholarships have proven to be popular destinations the largest education fair in the Baltics for the EducationUSA Summer Academy for students from Luxembourg as well. which reaches close to 40,000 students program are factors that will help increase and parents from the entire region. EU interest in study in the United States. For most U.S. HEIs, Luxembourg represents institutions are active participants in the an engaged population of well-prepared STUIDES Fair as well as other international Brexit in the United Kingdom could students who speak English well and are education fairs in the country, yet U.S. potentially increase the competitiveness enthusiastic about the United States. From schools are noticeably absent. U.S. of U.S. HEIs, and Luxembourg’s affluence a young age, Luxembourgish children learn institutions interested in recruiting students and significant government support for in multiple languages with exceptionally in Lithuania should consider participating university studies will remain push factors diverse classmates. English is part of the in the EducationUSA U.S. Higher Education for mobility to the United States. In 2017, basic curriculum from age 12 and most Fair on October 30, which is part of the 2018 close to 20 U.S. HEIs and more than 450 students in Luxembourg finish high school Eurasia and Baltics Tour. Institutions that students, parents, and administrators fluent in four languages: Luxembourgish, cannot travel to the region should engage attended the inaugural Luxembourg German, French, and English. all U.S. study abroad students, alumni, College Night. The 2018 College Night current Lithuanian students, professors, is scheduled for October 4. It will be In addition to its affluent population, and staff traveling or living in the region to expanded to accommodate as many as Luxembourg has the highest public further their outreach efforts to students in 40 institutional representatives. spending per student among all OECD Lithuania. countries. Every student resident of Many of Luxembourg’s students see their Luxembourg is eligible to receive financial UNESCO’s student mobility data future in areas where U.S. universities support for higher education studies. shows that close to 12,000 Lithuanians excel: biomedical innovation, IT, aerospace, Depending on the family’s financial are currently pursuing educational financial systems, and other STEM fields. circumstances, the level of annual support opportunities outside of the country, Degrees from American universities ranges from USD$5,000 to USD$14,000 roughly 41 percent of whom are studying are recognized and respected by and is provided in the form of grants in the United Kingdom. Lithuanians are Luxembourgish employers, and more than and minimal interest (0.2 percent) loans closely watching developments around 100 U.S. companies have their European with generous repayment provisions. Brexit with regard to continued access to headquarters in Luxembourg including Students can use this financial support educational opportunities. Should study Amazon and Goodyear. Other companies, for a study abroad experience, depending in the United Kingdom become more such as Google, are reportedly considering on the financial situation of the student’s difficult, it is likely that many of those significant investments in Luxembourg. family. The Centre de Documentation and students would look to opportunities in Information sur l’Enseignement Superieur the United States. The United States is With fewer than 50 public and private high (CEDIES) is the governmental agency that the seventh most popular destination for schools in the country, direct recruitment oversees this program, and is where the students from Lithuania. Countries that and establishment of meaningful institutional EducationUSA office is located. offer English language education with connections are the key for success in competitive tuition fees include Denmark, Luxembourg. Prioritizing quality interactions Ukraine. As a result of the ongoing Poland, Netherlands, Germany, and Russia. over several years will establish name conflict in parts of eastern Ukraine and However, American higher education is recognition for HEIs and will demonstrate to the situation in Crimea, the Ukrainian gaining in popularity among students and students, parents, and school administrators Ministry of Education has implemented parents. According to the 2017 Open Doors the kind of steady commitment that has measures for university and high school report, the number of Lithuanian students significant cultural value. students in the affected regions to in the United States has increased by 17 receive officially recognized academic percent to a total of 333 students. The U.S. The University of Luxembourg was credentials and alternative education Embassy in Vilnius is actively fostering this established in 2003. Prior to its options. Any student who completed positive mobility to the United States and establishment, Luxembourgish students secondary education or university in has started to prioritize outreach to niche had to study abroad for most of their 2014 or earlier from an institution in the populations in the country such as student higher education needs. According to the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea regions athletes and musicians for undergraduate Organization for Economic Cooperation can request their academic credentials

36 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov through a formal application process over the past five years and currency recruitment outreach efforts around the from the Ministry of Education. Beginning devaluation by 232 percent compared world, and particularly in Europe and in 2014, 18 Ukrainian HEIs relocated with the U.S. dollar over the past three Eurasia. Developments around Brexit from the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea years (Source: Bloomberg Markets). will influence study abroad decisions for regions and are operating on the territory The largest growth has been among both students in the United Kingdom controlled by Ukrainian authorities. Since undergraduate degree-seeking students, and students from within the EU. 2016, elementary and secondary students which has seen an increase of 35 percent Although there is no evidence that UK still living in the affected regions have over the past five years (Source: 2017 students are less interested in studying been able to complete their education Open Doors report). abroad, a possible explanation for through the ministry’s E-school program, the decrease in their numbers to the called “Distance Education in School” What to Expect in the Next Three United States is that UK universities (eschool.dn.ua). Those finishing the to Five Years have heavily promoted the European high school program receive an officially • In Europe and Eurasia, ministries of exchange program Erasmus+. With recognized attestation called “ATESTAT”, education and academic institutions are the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, allowing them to enroll in HEIs in Ukraine expected to continue prioritizing the British students may be choosing to and abroad. establishment of institutional partnerships study abroad in Europe “while they and support efforts to increase American still can.” If UK universities are unable When reviewing academic credentials study abroad to their countries. Many to accommodate students from the from Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea, EducationUSA centers and local education EU, either through Erasmus+ or degree U.S. university representatives should be partners administer workshops and other programs, this may open significant aware that institutions bearing the names events to promote and achieve greater opportunities for U.S. universities to of the relocated institutions continue student mobility in both directions. establish study abroad partnerships to operate in the affected regions. in the medium and long term. The Ukrainian Ministry of Education • Many experts predict that Brexit revoked the education licenses and will prompt the United Kingdom to The UK government has also made accreditation for institutions still located significantly revamp and increase its significant changes to high school and operating within the conflict zones, specifically including those in the cities Donetsk, Luhansk, Horlivka, Alchevsk, Makiyivka, and all that are located on U.S. Study Abroad the Crimean Peninsula. Diplomas from these “doppelgänger” institutions are not recognized as legitimate academic Top Five Receiving Countries in the Region credentials in Ukraine and can be identified by the use of Russian as the original language on the transcript. All documents Destination 2015/16 % Change recognized by the Ministry of Education must be in Ukrainian. U.S. higher education United Kingdom 39,140 2.50% representatives are encouraged to contact EducationUSA Kyiv for further information Italy 34,894 3.30% and assistance to determine which Spain 29,975 5.80% institutions are authorized to operate and France 17,214 -5.40% issue academic credentials in Ukraine. Germany 11,900 8.10% Even with the ongoing conflict in the country, EducationUSA continues to provide services to internally displaced students from these regions and virtually Five Countries (with over 100 students) with Highest to those still living in the conflict zone. The U.S. embassy is eager to reach Percentage Growth, U.S. Students in the Region as many students as possible beyond (Five-Year Trend) Kyiv, and, for the first time this fall, EducationUSA will host a U.S. Higher Country Name 2011/12 2015/16 % Change Education Fair in Odesa in addition to Serbia 51 179 250.0% the annual fair in Kyiv. Overall, student Iceland 254 688 170.9% mobility from Ukraine has grown by 22 percent over the past five years and is Portugal 211 523 147.9% currently at 1,817 total students. This Estonia 63 151 139.7% increase is especially noteworthy in light Lithuania 66 154 133.3% of the 35-percent population decline in 15–24-year-olds (Source: census.gov)

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 37 Europe and Eurasia

for admission to U.S. HEIs and to promote U.S. education to their peers. As the number of alumni cohorts grows, EducationUSA expects interest in U.S. higher education to increase in these new FLEX countries. In the broader region, FLEX programs are also located in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine. The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, a similar high school exchange program available to students from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Turkey, is another ECA-funded program that supports bright young students at the high school level who are well positioned to succeed in U.S. higher education.

• With Norway’s economy closely tied to world oil prices, the number of Norwegians studying abroad increases or declines with the value of oil. In 2018, the Norwegian government will produce a white paper on Norwegian student mobility. The paper aims to establish a strategy for how to increase the number of students studying abroad. It will likely affect both funding opportunities and authorization of certain degrees (e.g., medical licenses). In addition, the higher education system in Norway has recently been restructured, and public universities and colleges have merged to centralize academic communities. This change will likely lead several qualifications, which affect students in students begin academic studies. HEIs universities and colleges to renegotiate England, Wales, and Northern Ireland across the region are also offering more study abroad agreements and to seek applying to U.S. universities. These degree programs in English and actively new partnerships. changes will affect the academic recruiting students from the region, and qualifications awarded for the from other countries with large numbers Virtual and Social Media Usage completion of high school, referred to of international students, such as China. EducationUSA advising centers in Europe as the AS, A, and General Certificate and Eurasia incorporate a variety of of Secondary Education levels, which • The U.S. government recently launched social media platforms to interact with will impact students from the United the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) prospective students and alumni and Kingdom in different ways. The UK program, a one-year placement at to conduct effective outreach in the government will provide additional an American high school, in Estonia, region. There are no technical issues or clarification about these changes in the Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. bandwidth constraints regarding any of coming months. The first alumni cohorts returned to these platforms, as internet connectivity their home countries in 2017. The is very stable, reliable, and inexpensive • Russia, China, and Turkey are increasing Bureau of Educational and Cultural throughout Europe and Eurasia. The the number of scholarships they offer Affairs (ECA) at the Department of following list highlights the most to European students and are expected State funds the program and American prominent social media platforms. to continue attracting students from the Councils for International Education region with these opportunities. Both administers it. FLEX alumni are • Facebook is by far the most popular Russia and China are actively recruiting academic achievers and possess the social media platform used in the throughout the region, and many of the skills to become community leaders region and is essential to reach programs they offer include one year and cultural ambassadors in their home target audiences in some countries. of language preparation classes before countries. They are ideal candidates EducationUSA Belarus, for example, has

38 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov a community of nearly 14,000 members. Common Application, essay writing). feature interviews with EducationUSA All members are vetted and verified to One example of such targeted advising alumni. The Russian language be from Belarus. VKontakte also remains programming in the region is content produced by Belarus and Russia an extremely important platform for the EducationUSA in Bosnia and is shared throughout the Russian- Russian-speaking communities in the Herzegovina. The advisers work with speaking world. region. EducationUSA Bosnia also has all six American Spaces across the a wide community of 11,000 members country and incorporate webinars • Snapchat is becoming increasingly who receive daily updates on upcoming in their programming as an efficient popular, especially with younger events and higher education news. outreach tool, not just for students but audiences. In Sweden, for example, a for teachers as well. EducationUSA student corps of high school students EducationUSA advising centers Kyiv also hosts weekly presentations who are proficient with that platform promote videos with their alumni on at America House, which are broadcast manage the advising center’s Snapchat their Facebook pages to share success throughout the country. Visiting U.S. account and reach hundreds of students stories and inspire new audiences. higher education representatives are to promote upcoming fairs and events. EducationUSA Montenegro and welcome to join these sessions as This platform is also popular with Macedonia work closely with their guest speakers. U.S. HEIs interested younger students in Germany. alumni studying in the United States to in engaging virtually should contact create short #20questions videos that EducationUSA advisers in their target • U.S. HEIs are encouraged to send short they then share on their respective U.S. countries to learn about upcoming social media video content or attractive embassy Facebook pages to generate programming they can join or for and unique highlights for advisers to more interest. EducationUSA uses some recommendations on format and share on social media. Examples include of the videos as a promotional tool for content to reach their target audience. interviews, video or blog testimonials the Southeastern Europe Tour scheduled by current students from the target in the fall. EducationUSA alumni and U.S. EducationUSA advisers in Europe and country, or other connections the HEIs are encouraged to continue sharing Eurasia participate in monthly webinars institutions have such as professors from these videos, which are an engaging, as part of their ongoing professional the country, courses or majors related to free recruitment tool for students in development with REACs and their the region, and study abroad students the region. peers. HEIs interested in being guest visiting the country. Students are also speakers should contact the REACs for interested in learning more about the • EducationUSA Armenia, Azerbaijan, Europe and Eurasia. communities where U.S. institutions and Macedonia have regularly used are located, so videos featuring how Facebook Live to share their in- • EducationUSA in Armenia, Azerbaijan, international students live and study in center and outreach events, and this Belarus, Spain, Georgia, Russia, the community are effective. platform has expanded the reach of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, traditional webinars. Advising teams Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, and Poland Successful Recruiting Strategies in other countries are also starting to actively use Instagram to connect • Alumni fairs have become popular experiment with this platform, and with audiences by highlighting in- events for promoting U.S. higher U.S. higher education representatives center events, outreach trips, adviser education. They display the diversity should consider doing country-specific participation in U.S.-based conferences of institutions and the students who Facebook Live sessions in coordination and training, and student success study at them and introduce potential with EducationUSA. stories. EducationUSA advisers are applicants to institutions that are eager to show images from U.S. otherwise not actively recruiting in the • Although “live” webinars in Europe campus life to local student audiences region. Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Eurasia have waned in popularity as well. For example, Virtual Student Georgia, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, in the region over the past few years, Foreign Service e-Interns working with and Ukraine host annual events each EducationUSA advisers still regularly EducationUSA Armenia feature on the spring. Estonia and Russia also began use webinars when working with feed one institution per week that uses hosting annual alumni fairs in 2017 and specific audiences. EducationUSA the interns’ content about campus life Moldova will host an alumni fair for the advisers encourage U.S. higher and other student experiences available first time in May 2018. Other countries education representatives to provide in the United States. are expected to add alumni fairs in the thematic content for cohort students, near future. Local alumni and American such as inviting professors to speak • The Belgian and Luxembourg Fulbright alumni at these locations are welcome to about popular majors on campus, Commission runs a very popular participate and volunteers often include career services to speak about career YouTube channel that features Peace Corps Volunteers, Fulbright planning and major selection, and instructional videos as well as interviews English Teaching Assistants, study current international students from with students, Fulbright grantees, and abroad students, and U.S. diplomats. the target region or country to lead an representatives of U.S. universities. Best practices include providing training informal webchat. Webinar recordings Centers in Belarus, Czech Republic, to alumni on how to represent their are an effective way to reach students, Russia, and Ukraine also have active institution effectively and mailing especially if they cover topics related channels where they livestream events, promotional materials to the advising to university admissions (e.g., The include short instructional videos, and center for distribution at the event.

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• Students outside capital cities in Europe • Students in the region tend to think Foreign Government and Private Funding and Eurasia rarely have the opportunity about their higher education options EducationUSA advisers stay abreast of to meet with U.S. higher education much later than in the United States, so new and evolving scholarship programs representatives in person, making the American HEIs should start promoting in their countries. Although this list is extensive outreach outside capitals that undergraduate programs to students as comprehensive as possible, higher EducationUSA advisers conduct all the in their sophomore year of high school education professionals are encouraged to more valuable. EducationUSA advisers and not just to junior and senior contact advisers in the countries of interest can provide guidance on untapped students. As many students in the EU to learn more about these programs and destinations to visit in their countries are now completing their Bachelor’s others as they are announced. and can often assist with organizing degree in three years, graduate presentations at regional schools, programs should consider targeting Erasmus+. Launched in 2014 as the universities, American Spaces, or youth current university students in their EU’s reorganized flagship suite of centers. Depending on their travel budget, sophomore year of studies. international education and student they might also be available to travel with mobility programs, Erasmus+ provides a U.S. higher education representatives • Secondary-level educational systems wide-range of opportunities to European to certain destinations. EducationUSA in Europe and Eurasia have vocational and non-European students, educators, advisers also organize or participate in and university tracks for students, and administrators (ec.europa.eu/ higher education fairs in regional cities usually starting with the ninth grade. programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en). One and welcome U.S. HEIs to join them. In Southern Europe, local governments of the program’s goals is for four million have started to place more emphasis participants to study abroad by 2021. • Emphasizing internships and career on vocational programs as a means to Signature initiatives include Jean Monnet advising services is essential during the address high youth unemployment. Activities to promote worldwide teaching recruitment process. Present long-term By developing a strategy for and research; Horizon 2020, which study plans to students, including OPT accommodating students on the provides billions of euros for research and opportunities. Explain how the university vocational track, U.S. HEIs can have innovation; Marie Curie Fellowships, which provides support to students to identify access to a population that is generally are awarded to individual researchers; OPT and internship opportunities and underrepresented in student mobility to and other offerings. All EU countries have use alumni profiles as success stories to the U.S. Erasmus+ program administrators at the reinforce this message. national and institutional levels who can • Many European and Eurasian students provide additional information about • The current generation of students participate in gap year programs how U.S. institutions can participate in loves to travel, and students in Europe and mandatory military service after these programs. and Eurasia are likely to already have graduating from secondary school. In had a study abroad or international Sweden, for example, only 12.8 percent Fulbright. There are 23 Fulbright travel experience before starting their of all Swedish high school graduates Commissions across Europe, each with its education in the United States. These start university immediately after they own program offerings (www.eca.state.gov/ students are attracted to options that graduate. U.S HEIs should engage with fulbright). In addition to the commissions, allow for short-term study abroad gap year program providers to meet Fulbright awards are available in each or internships while pursuing their with students in addition to recruitment country in Europe and Eurasia. The U.S. degrees in the United States, and efforts for students in secondary school. embassy websites provide more details on institutions should highlight benefits funding levels and eligible candidates. and opportunities their campuses offer • For universities interested in recruiting in during the recruitment process. Wales, the Welsh government set up the Albania. The Excellence Fund for Albanian “Seren” network to open opportunities students, supported by the Ministry of • Many students in Austria and the Czech for the top ten percent of Welsh state Education, is a financial aid opportunity Republic, in particular, participate in ESL- school students. “Seren”, meaning star for students admitted to one of the top 15 focused high school exchange or post- in Welsh, has a network of 11 hubs that (global) universities as determined by the high school gap years, creating a market make reaching qualified students at Times Higher Education ranking. Students for community colleges willing to market several schools easier. They also hold are able to qualify if they have earned a themselves as a gap year option. a two-day conference in December at scholarship of 75 percent or more to any which universities can recruit students. accredited university in the United States, • The region is becoming increasingly Seren offers an excellent and efficient and the maximum amount is 8,000 euros. diverse, especially the major cities. For opportunity for U.S. universities to example, ten percent of all young people recruit Wales’ best students. Armenia. More than 15 private in Norway (and 25 percent in ) have foundations provide scholarships for a family background from Asia, Africa, • All Bermudian students must leave the Armenians to study in the United States the Middle East, South America, or country if they want to achieve a degree (www.educationusa.state.gov/centers/ Turkey. When engaging these students, higher than the an Associate’s degree. yerevan-american-councils). universities should highlight the diverse U.S. HEIs are encouraged to develop 2+2 nature of their campuses and plans to partnerships with Bermuda College to Baltic-American Freedom Foundation. achieve greater inclusion. support these students. The Baltic-American Freedom Foundation

40 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov funds citizens of Estonia, Latvia, and Macedonia. The Ministry of Education and and graduate students for short-term Lithuania to participate in educational Science awards academic scholarships educational travel abroad (www.nuffic.nl/ and exchange programs centered on to students accepted to a top-ranked en/scholarships/holland-scholarship). economic growth and democratic university (according to the Center processes. Funding is available for for World-Class Universities). The Norway. Norwegian students enjoy one research and internships in the United scholarships are restricted to several fields of the most generous public financial aid States, with awards ranging from and the maximum award is USD$40,000 programs in the world. The Norwegian USD$30,000 to USD$60,000. per year for tuition costs, airfare, and a government, through the State Educational monthly stipend. Loan Fund, Lånekassen, provides non- Belgium. The Belgian American merit-based financial aid for Norwegian Educational Foundation provides Moldova. The Western NIS Enterprise Fund students studying in the United States scholarships for graduate studies and (WNISEF) offers a seed grant program that through a loan/grant package. Most of the Fernand Lazard Foundation offers provides financial support to managerially- the funding is given as a loan, and most interest-free loans. Students looking talented students from Moldova who are Norwegians who are eligible to enter to spend a year at a U.S. university admitted to one of the top 50 Master of university are also eligible to receive as part of their doctoral studies Business Administration (MBA) programs in support from the program. The funding often receive financial support from the United States (according to U.S. News is for students in full-time academic their home institution in Belgium or & World Report full-time MBA program programs at both the undergraduate and from organizations such as Research rankings) and are committed to investing graduate levels. The loan/grant package Foundation - Flanders. their talents in Moldova. depends on a variety of factors and criteria. Students studying at 56 highly Bermuda. Bermuda has a comprehensive Netherlands. Studiefinanciering DUO is a ranked universities are eligible for an website for information on available low-interest student loan for undergraduate additional NOK 70,000 in grants. There scholarships (www.bermudascholarships. and graduate study for Dutch students. are also private foundations with large com). All private and government- The number of years one qualifies is funding opportunities for graduate studies funded opportunities for Bermudians are limited, and it is only transferable to an in the United States including the Norway- listed on this site. institution abroad if both the HEI and America Association, Aker Scholarship, program are approved as offering content Eckbos Legat, Jansons Legat, and others. Czech Republic. There are several private and quality similar to programs offered foundations that offer scholarships for study in the Netherlands (www.duo.nl). Several Serbia. The Ministry of Youth and abroad: Bakala Foundation Scholarship foundations offer funding for prospective Sports awards graduate scholarships (www.bakalafoundation.org), the Kellner graduate students to the United States, for overseas study based on enrollment Family Foundation University Scholarship including Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, at institutions that are ranked on the (www.kellnerfoundation.cz), and the VSB-fonds, and Vrijvrouwe van Renswoude “Shanghai Ranking” as a top 500 Krsek Foundation Scholarship (www. (www.beursopener.nl). Fondsenboek is institution. The ministry also awards krsekfoundation.cz). Amounts for these a printed resource with an up-to-date scholarships for designated performing scholarships vary, but all programs provide overview of all Dutch foundations, and arts schools around the world (www. support of as much as USD$30,000. Holland Scholarship is for undergraduate fondzamladetalente.rs).

Denmark. The State Educational Grant provides generous support to Danish students to participate in a “youth education program” after secondary school. They are generally similar to gap year programs, and students already enrolled in an institution of higher education can participate (www.su.dk/ english/state-educational-grant-and-loan- scheme-su/).

France. The French government gives grants only to students who are going to study through exchange programs at the undergraduate level. The Monahan Foundation gives as much as approximately USD$50,000 for Master’s or a Ph.D. in STEM fields.

Ireland. The Irish Research Council provides support to researchers across all disciplines (research.ie/).

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Slovenia. The Slovenian government students from Ukraine and can cover Brussels. University representatives continues to offer various scholarships Master of Public Health programs in can learn more about the annual for study abroad. The most generous addition to MBA programs. event and register online at www. is the Ad Futura scholarship through brusselscollegenight.be. which students receive as much as Regional EducationUSA Events USD$37,000 annually for the duration of EducationUSA in Europe and Eurasia • EducationUSA France will partner with their academic program. This scholarship provides a wide variety of opportunities several organizations on a series of program funds undergraduate studies for HEI engagement in the region. Most events over the coming year, including in STEM fields or graduate studies in all EducationUSA advising centers plan the Council of International Schools fields except the fine and performing local events througout the year as (CIS) College Day, (www.cois.org) arts. For AY 2017–2018, approximately well. Visit the EducationUSA website the Studyrama International Study Fair, USD$3.7 million was available, and 82 to find inforrmation about upcoming (www.studyrama.com) and L’Etudiant out of 160 students who applied were fairs, webinars, conferences, and other International Study Fair which take place awarded scholarships. The same amount upcoming events and activities. in Paris (www.letudiant.fr). is expected to be available for AY 2018– 2019. In subsequent years, the number Fairs and Conferences • In the Netherlands, Amsterdam College of awards will depend on the amount of • The EducationUSA Pavilion at Night will be held on October 5, 2018. funding available and the financial need European Association for International For more information, contact info@ of the selected students (www.srips-rs. Education (EAIE) 2018 September fulbright.nl. si). The Ministry of Culture awards other 11–14, Geneva, Switzerland. Last generous scholarships to undergraduate September, more than 6,000 higher • Join EducationUSA fairs at the 24th and graduate students of fine and education professionals from more annual U.S. University Fair in Athens performing arts, cultural management, than 95 countries attended the EAIE on October 9, 2018, and Nicosia on and other fields. conference in Seville, Spain. EAIE October 10, 2018. These fairs are part of is the largest conference of its type the 2018 European and Mediterranean Sweden. The Swedish Board of Student anywhere in Europe. U.S. HEIs that College Fair Series organized by Finance is the government’s academic exhibit at the booth have reported that America-Mideast Educational and financial aid program. It provides grants the EducationUSA Pavilion led to an Training Service, Inc.; CIS; College and low interest loans for tuition, fees, increase in their school’s visibility at Council; the Fulbright Commissions in and living expenses. Students can receive the event, more students from Europe Belgium, United Kingdom, and Greece; loans and grants for a maximum of six on their campuses, and an increase the U.S. Embassy Luxembourg; and the years of study. in exchange-related income for their StudyUSA Higher Education Consultants institutions. Accredited U.S. colleges in Nicosia. In 2017, the fair in Nicosia United Kingdom. The United Kingdom and universities are welcome to join attracted more than 300 students from offers a wide range of support for students the EducationUSA Pavilion at the both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot from diverse backgrounds who are 2018 EAIE conference. Learn more at communities. U.S. Embassy Cyprus interested in a variety of program types at www.educationusa.state.gov/events/ partially supports the fair. various levels. This support includes the educationusa-pavilion-eaie-2018 or Sutton Trust Program, which welcomed www.eaie.org/geneva.html. • The Higher Education and Scholarships its seventh cohort of students in April Fair, organized by EducationUSA 2018. This innovative program provides • The major event for student recruitment Croatia, is the largest fair of its kind generous support to economically in the United Kingdom is the annual in Croatia or any other country in disadvantaged students with outstanding USA College Day in late September. Southeastern Europe. It is a unique academic qualifications who want to More than 4,500 visitors attend the fair event that will take place in major apply to U.S. colleges and universities. over one-and-a-half days to meet with Croatian university cities including BUNAC also provides support, offering 170 U.S. colleges. Many U.S. universities Zagreb on October 16, 2018, and partial scholarships for British students visit schools and undertake targeted the Adriatic coastal city of Rijeka applying for graduate school in the United outreach earlier in the week before on October 18, 2018. More than States or Canada (www.bunac.org/bunac/ heading to fairs in other Northern 10,000 Croatian students, parents, scholarships-and-awards). European countries. Email collegeday@ adult learners, and higher education fulbright.org.uk for more information. professionals are expected to attend. Ukraine. WorldWideStudies grants cover university fees, study materials, and • The Fulbright Commission in Belgium • The 8th Annual Eurasia Tour (October health insurance for up to USD$50,000 will host the 34th Annual Brussels 20–November 10) will again include the for Master’s degree programs. Priority College Night on October 1, 2018. Baltic countries and introduce Belarus fields include agriculture, environmental This event is the only U.S.-focused as a new recruitment destination. The studies, ecology, law and public college fair in Belgium and provides tour will make 11 stops in 9 countries, administration, alternative energy, and university representatives with access with two new locations this year: Minsk, aerospace engineering, but other fields to high school students from across Belarus, and Odessa, Ukraine. More are eligible for consideration. The WNISEF Belgium, including a number of information about the tour is available at Seed Grant Program is also available to international schools in the region of www.educationusaeurasiatour.org.

42 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov • EducationUSA will host its 4th Annual school students. The fair will also take • Join EducationUSA Sweden at the European LLM Tour in November 2018. place in 2019 with the goal of expanding following events in 2019: Malmoe In 2017, the tour took U.S. law school the program to reach students in other Borgarskola and VRG Stockholm in representatives to eight cities in Europe: cities in Turkey. March, the SACO Fair in Stockholm and Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg, Malmoe in November or December, and Oslo, Prague, Zagreb, and Vienna. • The 6th Annual Russian Winter Tour will the Kunskap & Framtid Education Fair in Representatives met with 550 participants take place February 22–March 5, 2019, and Gothenburg in November. at the fairs and participated in country make stops in Moscow, St. Petersburg, briefings and visits to local universities. Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, and U.S. Study Abroad in the Region This year, additional cities will be added Vladivostok. Registration is expected to • In AY 2015–2016, more than half of as a result of high demand. For more open in May 2018 and will be announced in the U.S. students who studied abroad information, contact REACs Peter Baker upcoming U.S. Higher Education Monthly studied in Europe. The top five ([email protected]) and Gordana Updates. More information is available at destinations globally were the United Mirchikj ([email protected]). winter.educationusarussia.org. Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany. Other European countries in the top 25 include Ireland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Greece, the Best and Worst Times of the Year to Interact with Netherlands, and Austria. Students (Face to Face and Virtually) • Other countries in the region have In general, the best time to interact with students is September to November seen significant increases in inbound and February to May. student mobility from the United States. The largest increases include Bulgaria, Times to avoid travel: Avoid recruitment travel or virtual programming in July, Estonia, Kosovo, Iceland, Lithuania, August, over the Christmas and New Year holidays, and around Easter. As Montenegro, Romania, and Ukraine. always, institutions should check with the EducationUSA advisers in the country they want to visit before making any travel or virtual outreach plans. Advisers • In the spring 2018 semester, 52 percent in each country know about national holidays and other factors, such as of all Gilman Scholarships were awarded examination dates, that might affect students’ ability to attend events. to U.S. students for study abroad experiences in 27 of the 46 countries in the Europe and Eurasia region.

• The 6th Annual EducationUSA • BeSt³ Vienna, the largest education • In 2017, the U.S. Department of State’s Southeastern Europe Tour in 2019 fair in Austria, will take place in March study abroad branch provided funds will include fairs in Slovenia, Croatia, 2019 and will focus on jobs, studies, to posts and Fulbright Commissions Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, training, and continuing education. to develop programming aimed at Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Around 350 exhibitors provide their increasing educational institutions’ Albania, the newest stop on the tour. insight into innovative educational capacity to host American students in The tour generally takes place in April. opportunities and highlight current Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, EducationUSA will confirm the dates trends in the career field. This fair will Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, in summer 2018. Sign up to receive the include a number of EducationUSA-led Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, EducationUSA monthly newsletter on workshops. Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Europe and Eurasia to keep in touch Slovenia, and Turkey. with recruiting events planned in the • The 4th Annual Iberian Tour will take region as well as information about place in March 2019 and include major • U .S. study abroad students are emerging trends at (eepurl.com/ cities across Spain and Portugal. For welcome to join EducationUSA bUlB0T). more information, please contact REAC programming activities throughout Peter Baker ([email protected]). the region. U.S. institutions are • Security concerns in Turkey over the encouraged to provide training to past couple of years and visa issuance • College Day Scandinavia, which usually study abroad program participants suspension have discouraged much takes place in March each year, is the prior to departing the United States of the outreach that Turkey normally best opportunity to meet a large group so that students can promote sees by U.S. HEI representatives. Turkey of Icelandic students interested in the institution to local audiences. remains, however, the second largest studying in the United States. Students have delivered general European sending country of students presentations about their institution, to the United States. EducationUSA, • EducationUSA Norway participates in joined conversation groups, assisted the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the largest education fair in Norway, with mock admissions interviews, the Mezun Group hosted the country’s called TaUtdanning, in January/ participated in alumni fairs, and second virtual college fair in 2018. This February. It also hosts the largest U.S.- participated in other events that allow event was organized in Istanbul and focused fair in March called College Day them to engage with local high school attracted many university and high Scandinavia. and university students.

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Algeria, , Egypt, Iran, Iraq, , , , , Libya, Morocco, , Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, , Yemen

EducationUSA advising centers in the 2004–2005, with Saudi Arabia (-14.2 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) percent) and Libya (-13.4 percent) EducationUSA are located at U.S. embassies and decreasing significantly as a result of the Advising Centers consulates, America-Mideast Educational scaling back of government scholarship in the Region and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) programs. In contrast, North Africa saw offices, and American Centers. a 3.3-percent increase overall, with a EducationUSA advising activities in 21.5-percent increase from Algeria. 17 Comprehensive Iran, Syria, and Libya are conducted 6 Standard virtually. The region has 28 centers (17 The region boasts many Competitive 5 Reference comprehensive centers, six standard, and College Clubs (CCCs) at which advisers 28 five reference centers) in 19 countries meet semimonthly with academically with 32 advisers who provide up-to-date engaged high school students to prepare services and programming. them for study at U.S. campuses and to guide them through the unique aspects EducationUSA advisers are of the college application processes. knowledgeable about local educational Advisers work with students to find systems and contexts. Each center the best institutional fit—academically, provides students, U.S. higher education socially, and financially. CCC activities institutions (HEIs), and governmental include community service projects, partners with tailored programs and book clubs, poetry recitals, spelling bees, activities. EducationUSA advisers also guest speakers, test preparation, and serve as resources to government information sessions on the application scholarship offices in Iraq, Kuwait, process. All CCCs foster student Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United leadership skills. More than 140 students Arab Emirates (UAE). These efforts from the MENA region successfully include connecting scholarship offices completed a CCC program in AY 2017- with potential U.S. HEI partners and 2018 and will study in the United States advising scholarship students in finding in fall 2018. Currently, there are CCCs in appropriate study opportunities in the Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian United States. Territories, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.

EducationUSA advisers in the MENA The Opportunity Funds program region work in an environment of supports talented, economically frequent change and opportunity. disadvantaged undergraduate and Despite growth over the past ten years, graduate students by providing the 2017 Open Doors report indicates the upfront costs of applying to a 7.6-percent decrease in students U.S. institutions, which can include coming from the region during AY testing, application fees, U.S. visa/ 2016–2017 from 2015–2016. This decline Student Exchange Visitor Information is the first from the MENA region since System (SEVIS) fees, and travel to the

44 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov United States. In the MENA region, had a decline of 15.1 percent in the the benefits of community colleges. Of EducationUSA Egypt, EducationUSA number of students sent abroad to the students who went to the United Tunisia, and EducationUSA Lebanon pursue higher education. Scholarship States from these countries, 32 percent support Opportunity Funds students. programs across the region are being chose to attend community colleges. revised and restructured and are likely Most countries in the region have EducationUSA advising centers in to be negatively affected by lower oil engaged with the U.S. government and MENA conduct strategic outreach in prices. Local institutions as well as an U.S. colleges and universities to expand collaboration with Public Affairs and increasingly diverse range of countries local higher education capacity through Consular sections of embassies and are becoming attractive destinations as a institutional linkages. consulates. Approximately half of the result of cost, location, and institutional advising centers in MENA are based at partnerships with local institutions. There Many universities in the Gulf are an embassy or consulate and sit within is also new growth in the region, with interested in hosting American-educated the Public Affairs sections. Regional notable increases in U.S. enrollment from professors to develop their institutional Educational Advising Coordinators Algeria, Egypt, and Lebanon. capacity and are eager to connect (REACs) and EducationUSA advisers with faculty at U.S. institutions for hold monthly education briefing and Over the past decade, MENA has collaborative research and teaching recruitment webinars for U.S. HEIs experienced one of the highest rates opportunities. Although students in about local educational systems, trends, of population growth of any region in the Gulf region have adequate access opportunities, and recruitment strategies. the world. According to the Central to universities in their home countries, Intelligence Agency World Fact Book, they have a strong interest in pursuing Regional Overview more than 46 percent of the Middle education in the United States, The United States remains one of the East’s population is younger than age particularly at the graduate level. top higher education destinations 24. Student demand for postsecondary for students from MENA, despite a education far exceeds the capacity of Recent Trends 7.6-percent decrease in the number of local universities in many countries. In • Many universities in the region Middle Eastern students enrolled at U.S. addition, the uneven quality of the higher seek linkages with U.S. institutions. colleges and universities in 2016–2017. education systems in the region leaves EducationUSA REACs and advisers The decline in new enrollments is some students without the necessary provide local institutions with predominantly the result of the scaling skills to enter a competitive labor market. information about how to identify back of government scholarship appropriate U.S. partners and tips on programs in Saudi Arabia, Libya, Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, how to develop effective reciprocal and Iraq. These countries combined and Tunisia are interested in exploring student and scholar exchange

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 45 Middle East and North Africa

agreements. Government officials and one or more of the U.S. accrediting collaborate with a local agency when HEI administrators from Egypt, Iraq, organizations. Currently, there are six hosting public fairs. Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, the in Egypt, three in Lebanon, 11 in Saudi Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Arabia, and five in the UAE. • Over the past year, changes to Tunisia, and UAE participated in the scholarship programs, safety concerns, EducationUSA Leadership Institutes • Intensive English Programs (IEPs) have visa restrictions, currency devaluation, between 2015–2017. A variety of U.S. seen a decrease in student enrollments and in-country political instability have institutions hosted these institutes on from MENA, with a significant drop all contributed to the decline in Middle topics in internationalization, further from Kuwait (-30.0 percent), Oman Eastern student enrollments. Increased developing their capacity to establish (-30.0 percent), and Saudi Arabia concern among Arab students about effective partnerships. (-45.2 percent). According to the their reception and treatment in the Institute for International Education United States is also a factor. The • Many countries in the region want (IIE) Open Doors survey (funded #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign is their workforces to include U.S.-trained by the U.S. Department of State’s one way that U.S. institutions can professionals. Governments support this Bureau of Educational and Cultural share messages and videos with the goal through scholarship programs, short- Affairs), the overall number of students global student community about the term grants for faculty, and short-term enrolled in IEPs fell by 18.7 percent in importance U.S. HEIs give to having a training programs for government officials 2016–2017 compared with the year diverse student population on campus and administrators. This support is in before. Many government scholarships and their welcome to international response to the demographic boom and that previously supported or required students. Visiting the region and rapid urbanization across the Arab world. English language study have been holding recruitment events in person reduced, or in a few cases put on hold are positive ways to show that the • MENA students are interested in a and are imposing higher academic United States welcomes students from variety of countries for study abroad; eligibility requirements, depressing MENA. some choose Canada as a result of enrollment. In some cases, students a perception that the country offers are beginning their English language lower tuition rates and an easy student instruction programs in-country before Countries in the Spotlight visa process. The United Kingdom moving into degree programs in the Algeria. The number of Algerian students is attractive because of geographic United States. interested in studying in the United proximity and strong ties to Gulf States is growing, with the younger countries such as Bahrain and UAE. • Recruiters are often asked to seek generation enthusiastic about studying For students from North Africa, France local government permission before English. The U.S. higher education remains an attractive alternative entering secondary schools. The system offers welcome diversity and because of geographic proximity security process to gain access takes choice to Algerian students, specifically and linguistic affinity. Increasing time, especially in government schools at the graduate level. This is the first time numbers are choosing to stay closer such as the STEM-focused schools. in years that Algeria saw an increase to the region, choosing institutions in These schools tend to have the most in students coming to the United Turkey, Oman, and UAE. In addition qualified students for scholarships States (21.5 percent). In April 2017, to U.S. branch campuses in Lebanon as well as those who demonstrate EducationUSA brought 18 U.S. HEIs to (one), Qatar (seven), and UAE (three), high financial need. Some countries, Algeria for the first-ever EducationUSA numerous local American-style such as Jordan, are introducing new North Africa Fair Tour. This opportunity HEIs have attained accreditation by mandates requesting fair organizers to promoted study in the United States

Student Mobility in the Region (Five-Year Trend)

110,000 108,227 103,307 100,014 92,618 90,000 77,049 70,000

50,000

30,000

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

46 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov among the large and increasingly institutions. In 2017, EducationUSA increased drastically. Many will apply English-speaking Algerian youth Jordan launched the second iteration for financial aid or merit scholarships. In population. The EducationUSA fair had of the EducationUSA fair, offering August 2017, ten Lebanese CCC students more than 3,000 students and parents participation sponsorship packages to departed to the United States to start attend, proving that the historically 25 U.S. colleges and universities funded their undergraduate degrees. With the low Open Doors numbers (158 in AY by the U.S. embassy in Jordan. These help and direction of the EducationUSA 2015–2016) are not a reflection of the fairs manage to attract a large number center in Beirut, they were awarded a actual interest in U.S. education among of Jordanian students and students from total of USD$2.2 million in scholarships Algerians. The vast majority of Algerian around the region, especially from Iraq, over a four-year period. students require partial or full funding for Syria, and Yemen. their studies. The government of Algeria Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, the largest does not presently offer any scholarships Lebanon. Lebanon is made up of sender of students from the region, saw or financial aid to students who want to people from diverse socioeconomic and a 14.2-percent decrease in the number study in the United States. religious backgrounds, with 18 official of students sent to the United States in sects in the country. The current crisis in AY 2016–2017. This decline is the first Iraq. The government of Iraq’s Ministry Syria has created extraordinary economic since 2004–2005 and is attributed to the of Higher Education and Scientific and other challenges. With a population scaling back of the government’s foreign Research (MoHESR) has taken steps to of about 4.5 million, Lebanon hosts scholarship program. As the fourth grant accreditation to private, not-for- 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Lebanon largest sender of international students profit, American-style universities in now hosts more refugees per capita to the United States (after China, Iraq. The American University of Iraq- than any other country in the world. India, and South Korea), Saudi student Sulaimani and the American University The EducationUSA Lebanon office enrollment has a significant impact on of Kurdistan-Duhok received recognition currently serves diverse student groups: total international student enrollment at from MoHESR in 2017. Recognizing the Lebanese, Palestinian refugees, and U.S. institutions. Better post-graduation benefits of an American-style education Syrian refugees. Lebanese advisers job placement has the potential to and the value of offering more choices use the CCC alumni network to reach increase enrollment. To improve job to students, MoHESR would like to open out to various secondary schools and placement after graduation, the Saudi another American-style university in promote educational advising. The Arabian Ministry of Education (MOE) has Baghdad. Education officials in the Iraqi EducationUSA offices in Lebanon work developed strategic partnerships with Kurdistan region are also considering closely with local high school counselors government agencies and state-owned steps to accredit the American-style and depend heavily on social media companies to provide jobs for graduates K–12 education offered at several private platforms. The Lebanese government at the completion of their studies. schools in the region. does not organize any education fairs. Recently, EducationUSA offices have Syria. According to the United Nations Jordan. EducationUSA Jordan promotes seen increasing interest in students High Commissioner for Refugees, graduate programs primed to contribute transferring to U.S. institutions in the there are more than five million to Jordan’s economic growth through middle of their degree programs. More Syrian refugees worldwide and more GradJobsJO, a series of interactive students are looking to study abroad as than six million internally displaced fairs that connect students with U.S. the cost of education in Lebanon has people in Syria. IIE estimates that the

Five Countries of Origin (with over 100 students) with Highest Percentage Growth, International Students in the Region (Five-Year Trend) Country 2012/13 2016/17 %Change

Oman 980 2,876 193.5% Kuwait 5,115 9,825 92.1% Oman193.5% has the largest percentage growth in Yemen 353 658 86.4% the region over the last five years(with over Syria 505 827 63.8% 100 students) Iraq 1,074 1,698 58.1%

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 47 Middle East and North Africa education of approximately 200,000 expect more calls for partnerships, funded scholarship programs to university-age Syrian students has been linkages, and U.S. faculty visits to the develop English language centers disrupted. Barriers to accessing higher region as local institutions see their in partnership with U.S. providers. education outside of Syria include lack U.S. counterparts as models. STEM Reinvigorating the Iraqi economy of funding and insufficient scholarship subjects are the highest priority across and creating new jobs for young opportunities, language barriers, and the region. Many institutions in the graduates is a priority, so career limited access to official documents and region have funding to send faculty to centers at colleges and universities standardized testing. In March 2017, IIE the United States for teacher training and connections to industry, both launched the Platform for Education and advanced research but sometimes local and international companies, in Emergencies Response ([PEER] struggle to find the right partnership. will also be important. This situation www.iiepeer.org). PEER is an online will create opportunities for U.S. database of educational opportunities • The Moroccan Ministry of Higher institutions to provide short-term and additional resources that are Education (MOHE) has a national certificate programs that prepare available to Syrian students. Although strategy that aims to improve the students for the workforce at both PEER initially focuses on Syrians, it quality of education, bolster scientific the baccalaureate and vocational/ will eventually include opportunities research, foster competitiveness in technical levels. The Iraqi MOHE for all displaced students. Universities, the global economy, and improve the recently provided official recognition colleges, and other interested governance of the national educational to the first American-style university in organizations can connect with PEER system. Many professors in Morocco are Iraq, signaling an increased openness to feature scholarships and resources. reaching retirement age, and there is to U.S. higher education systems. EducationUSA Syria has advised Syrian strong interest in Ph.D.s for Moroccans students and refugees virtually since in the STEM and English language • The UAE MOE developed and is 2011 through email and social media fields. Morocco is striving to become following its Education 2020 strategy, platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, the hub for higher education in North a series of ambitious five-year plans Skype, and Google+ Hangouts. Africa. Many students from across designed to improve the education North Africa choose to study abroad system, especially in the way teachers What to Expect in the Next Three in Europe rather than the United teach and students learn. A key area to Five Years States given proximity, the low tuition of focus has been to ensure that • American HEIs will continue to see cost, the simpler application process, students are fully prepared to attend interest from students in countries degree equivalency, similar education universities around the world and offering government scholarships, structures, and French-language compete in the global marketplace. As particularly in graduate education and instruction. However, there are still part of the overall development, the professional Master’s degree programs. opportunities to attract Moroccan MOE developed and implemented a However, stricter standards might apply students, and nearly 1,640 Moroccan new exam, The Emirates Standardized in the future to conditions of eligibility students studied in the United States in Test (EmSAT), for grade-12 students in and location of study. Given recent AY 2016–2017, a 9.3-percent increase. government schools or private schools domestic economic challenges, some that offer the MOE curriculum. EmSAT countries are making policy changes • T he eight universities in areas replaces the Common Educational to the conditions of their government liberated from Daesh (or ISIS) in Iraq Proficiency Assessment as an scholarship programs. Scholarship will require significant restoration accredited admissions test at public recipients are held to strict standards in and rebuilding to fully reopen and postsecondary schools in UAE. EmSAT adhering to program criteria, approved provide adequate services to students will initially cover English, Arabic, areas of study, and the governments’ and faculty. Affected campuses were mathematics, and physics. The test lists of pre-approved institutions, which severely damaged and many buildings aims to provide decision-makers with significantly affects how many students were destroyed in the conflict. accurate and important information receive scholarships, where they study, Affected universities are eager for to enable them to make the necessary and their programs of study. These partnerships with U.S. institutions that decisions to improve the education changes to the scholarship programs can provide virtual lectures, training, system. In the future, this standardized may result in fewer students able to and other programming. Rebuilding assessment can serve as a metric to aid study in the United States for their will require a significant financial in admissions to foreign institutions. degrees and a corresponding decline investment by the government of in students enrolling in U.S.-based Iraq and the international community. • Education is well represented in English language institutes prior to After the defeat of ISIS and the return Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With 130 their studies. of more peaceful conditions to Iraq, education initiatives, including an the higher education system seeks ambitious education reform program, • MENA governments look to the United to expand its engagement with U.S. the MOE focuses on all stages of States for educational expertise and are universities. Scholarship awards may education—early childhood, primary, eager to send students abroad to gain gradually increase, though program secondary, and postsecondary. From the knowledge and skills they need to changes are expected. There is 2017-2018, the MOE primarily focused contribute to higher education reform interest in expanding the teaching of on improving pre-K–12 education, with at home. American institutions should English in Iraq, and in government- a strong emphasis on teacher training.

48 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov At the start of 2018, the Saudi Royal SABIC, and Saudi Aramco all have Five Countries of Origin Commission for Al-Ula introduced a programs for high school students who in the Region with Highest new scholarship program for Saudi are on track to become employees Per Capita College-Age citizens from Al-Ula. The commission following the completion of a is tasked with developing the Al-Ula Bachelor’s degree in the United States. Student Mobility to the governorate to make it one of the United States most important archaeological and Virtual and Social Media Usage cultural destinations in Saudi Arabia. • A ccording to Internet World Stats, The Al-Ula scholarship program will there were 146 million internet users send 1,000 students abroad over the in the MENA region in 2017. Internet next five years to earn undergraduate connectivity is generally sufficient Kuwait and graduate degrees in archeology, in both homes and cyber cafés in agriculture, and hospitality and tourism. large cities, with few exceptions College-Age The scholarship will also cover 12–18 (namely Yemen, the Palestinian Population months of English language training. Territories, Syria, Libya, and parts of 4.6% 213,892 Iraq). Challenges to virtual and social • The weakening of the local currency media usage include power outages, in countries including Egypt, Tunisia, which are common in some countries, and Yemen has caused students to connectivity issues, and internet consider a wide range of destinations, restrictions. As a result, large files such as European countries that offer can be difficult for students to open. full scholarships. In contrast, many U.S. institutions can send promotional Gulf countries such as Kuwait, Saudi videos and other large electronic files Saudi Arabia Arabia, and UAE have currencies directly to EducationUSA advising College-Age pegged against a basket of currencies, centers where students can open and Population creating greater stability for students view them more easily. 2.1% contemplating study abroad. As of 2,522,628 January 1, 2018, Saudi Arabia and UAE • T he EducationUSA Iran adviser, were the first Gulf countries in the based in the United States, provides region to introduce value-added tax information about U.S. study options at five percent on most goods and to students virtually, including via services, boosting non-oil economies. a dedicated website in Farsi (www. educationusairan.com). In 2018, Oman • Many governments sponsor college the website is being revamped and College-Age and university fairs and appreciate U.S. updated in both English and Farsi Population institutions’ attendance. EducationUSA and will have a specific section for 0.9% advisers can provide guidance HEI representatives. The adviser also 317,172 on participating in these events, provides information about the Iranian gaining approvals, and facilitating higher education system to the U.S. communication with ministries of higher higher education community. Over education. Countries that regularly the past year, EducationUSA has seen sponsor these events include Kuwait, a record number of Iranian students Qatar Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. participate in web chats, webinars, and College-Age U.S. institutions can also send faculty 0.7% Population to EducationUSA-sponsored events 191,940 where staff can arrange faculty-to- faculty dialogues and provide U.S. Regional Student Totals higher education representatives with a focused approach toward collaborative Top Five Countries of Origin research projects. Alumni of U.S. Country 2016/17 % Change institutions are often welcome to attend 2015/16 United Arab Emirates and represent their alma maters as well. College-Age Most events will indicate on the website Saudi Arabia 52,611 -14.2% Population if alumni may register. 0.6% Iran 12,643 3.0% 468,178 • Many oil companies and other private Kuwait 9,825 0.5% firms in the region offer scholarships Egypt 3,715 7.9% to their employees. These funds Oman 2,876 0.007% Source: UNESCO Institute of Statistics; Indicator: are available for current and future 2015 Population of the official age for tertiary employees working in the STEM fields. education, both sexes National Oil Company,

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 49 Middle East and North Africa

virtual fairs. Telegram and Instagram sessions to enable students and young and Instagram. In addition to having are top platforms for Iranians. As professionals to build the online the highest social media penetration in a result of internet censorship and research skills they need to identify the world, Qataris also have the highest filtering, Iranians’ access to some appropriate universities and potential percentage of any population using social media platforms including scholarship opportunities and to initiate social media through mobile devices. Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter is the application process. EducationUSA According to a Hootsuite report, about limited. It is strongly recommended virtual centers depend on these useful 2.3 million people access social media that HEIs keep social media platforms platforms to reach students. through mobile devices, which is about updated and boost posts related to 95 percent of the Qatari population. Iranian students. These tools enable • Facebook is the most-visited website in institutions to overcome existing most of the region, with more than 87 • Given the value of face-to-face communication barriers and reach million active users. YouTube is widely communication, interactive platforms more Iranian students without the used by students to view videos posted such as EducationUSA webinars offer benefits of a physical center located in by colleges and universities. Even in creative opportunities to engage youth the country. countries where the site is banned, while informing them about educational students are often able to access it opportunities in the United States. In • EducationUSA advisers in Libya, Syria, through proxy servers. SnapChat, UAE, EducationUSA is launching an and Yemen also continue to work WhatsApp, and Instagram also have application in summer 2018 specifically virtually, assisting students through a large following in MENA. In 2017, to reach students and parents. Skype and other online communication EducationUSA Saudi Arabia used tools. In March 2017, EducationUSA YouTube to reach almost seven million Successful Recruiting Strategies hosted the first two-week massive open Saudi students and parents with a nine- • Consider high school guidance online course (MOOC) camp in Yemen, episode cartoon video series called counselors as a resource. Local high focused on “Searching and Researching Amreeka 101 (tinyurl.com/Amreeka101) school guidance counselors meet Online.” The course featured ten about studying in the United States. frequently to share best practices in intensive workshops and two advising • Qataris are very engaged on Twitter the admissions application process and to discuss topics such as applying for student visas, writing school profiles, meeting application deadlines, and U.S. Study Abroad selecting the institutions that best meet students’ needs. The EducationUSA network provides counselors with Top Five Receiving Countries in the Region college advising resources as well. The relationships that advisers share with these counselors ensure that Destination 2015/16 % Change visiting U.S. admissions officers have productive trips that allow them to Israel 2,435 -26.6% interact with a broad range of students. Morocco 1,403 -0.7% • T ranslate websites into Arabic, Farsi Jordan 969 -1.6% (Persian), or Kurdish and record videos United Arab Emirates 718 16.0% of students from MENA as a means Oman 143 55.4% to engage parents and students with limited English language skills. Provide more visual information about living on campus. Particularly at the undergraduate level, students want Five Countries (with over 25 students) with Highest to see what living arrangements are like. Highlight institutional support Percentage Growth, U.S. Students in the Region and student services (academic, (Five-Year Trend) extracurricular, social, security, and medical services) for those students who Country Name 2011/12 2015/16 % Change bring families and chaperones as well as Oman 51 143 180.4% for those who travel alone. Conduct focus groups with new students to ask them Morocco 957 1,403 46.6% about how to simplify the application and United Arab Emirates 661 718 8.6% settling-in process. Jordan 976 969 -0.7% Qatar 151 122 -19.2% • Keep family members in mind. They play an important role in students’ decision-making. Many graduate

50 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov students will be in the United States with their families and prefer institutions that provide support for their households.

• Leverage the power of “word of mouth,” as it is particularly important in the region. Cultivate relationships with current international students and international alumni, and visit alumni when recruiting abroad. Alumni, many of whom have key positions in the public and private sectors, appreciate the opportunity to engage with admissions officers from their alma maters.

• Engage current international students on campus, as they can provide insights and advice to prospective students from their home countries and regions during the recruitment and student orientation seasons.

• Consider recruiting off the beaten path and going to North Africa. This market is untapped. The region does not get many HEI visits but has great potential. Contact EducationUSA to assist with a trip to Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, or Egypt. More than 1,000 students attended each of the EducationUSA fairs held in Casablanca, Algiers, and Tunis, showing that students from North Africa are very interested in U.S. education and eager to meet admission Higher Education and Scientific Research fellowships to students interested in representatives. (MoHESR) will award 100 scholarships pursuing graduate degrees abroad. for students with Bachelor’s degrees Foreign Government and Private to earn doctoral degrees at institutions Kuwait. In 2014, the government of Kuwait Funding abroad, including the United States, with increased the number of scholarships Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, a focus on STEM and a variety of medical awarded to undergraduate students for U.S. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE sciences. This award is the first time that study. Each year, the government continues currently fund government scholarship the modern scholarship program has to expand the scholarship program. With programs. These governments maintain funded students to earn a combined more than 9,800 students in 2016–2017, lists of approved receiving institutions, Master’s/Doctorate degree abroad. Kuwait is now the 17th leading place of which can often be the chief barrier Working with a U.S. partner, MoHESR origin, after joining the top 25 list only five to recruiting funded students from would like to open an English language years ago. The government scholarship these countries. One strategy to raise center at the ministry to provide is for either undergraduate or graduate awareness of U.S. institutions and scholarship recipients with English studies and includes English language increase the chance of inclusion on language instruction before they apply to studies during the first year. Kuwaiti these lists is to visit these countries’ U.S. institutions. students receive their scholarship approvals cultural missions in Washington, DC, and in July every year. Government agencies to reach out to them directly by email Jordan. Although there is no official and private institutions such as Kuwait or phone. A visit or phone call gives U.S. government scholarship program for University, Kuwait Institute for Scientific institutions the opportunity to inform Jordanian students, several scholarships Research, the Civil Service Commission, these countries about their programs are available at U.S. institutions that are the Public Authority for Education and of study, express interest in hosting offered only to Jordanian applicants Training—for graduate students only, and students from the region, and explain (i.e., Late King Hussein Scholarship at the Kuwait Investment Authority Master of how U.S. institutions are prepared to be Elon University and the Queen Rania Business Administration scholarship award effective and qualified hosts for their Al Abdullah Scholarship at Marymount offer additional scholarship opportunities international students. University). Universities in Jordan for graduate students. The majority Iraq. The government of Iraq’s Ministry of offer a wide range of scholarships and of Kuwaiti students studying abroad

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 51 Middle East and North Africa

educational system. The webinars, organized by the REAC, are advertised in the EducationUSA monthly HEI newsletter and across various listservs and social media platforms. To find more information, search under “Find an Event” on the EducationUSA website. To date, there have been webinars on Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and UAE.

While participating in the many in-person student recruitment opportunities, such as EducationUSA fairs and regional forums, representatives of U.S. institutions can build on these events by receiving a country briefing from EducationUSA advisers (in-person or by phone), meeting with U.S. embassy Public Affairs and Consular staff (subject to scheduling availability), making comes from a public school background. Qatari government funding. As a result of a presentation at an EducationUSA EducationUSA anticipates growth in low oil prices and the economic blockade advising center, and visiting local graduate studies and particularly advanced of Qatar, the trend is for austerity in high schools or colleges. Contact the degrees in STEM education. government spending. With that, Qataris EducationUSA center organizing the may prioritize investment in local HEIs, event to explore options for maximizing Qatar. There have been significant including the six American university the impact of participation. The following changes to the Qatari government campuses in Doha. examples highlight upcoming fairs scholarship program. In the summer and exhibitions with EducationUSA of 2017, the MOE published a revised Saudi Arabia. The government of Saudi participation. list of approved universities for global Arabia remains committed to funding scholarships. The revision saw a dramatic the foreign scholarship program for Fairs and Conferences decrease in the number of institutions, the next several years and is working • UAE. NAJAH, the official government- with the list reduced to 255 from 360, to restructure the program to better sponsored education expo attracting and the approved list for self-funded align with the country’s economic goals. more than 11,500 visitors, will take students reduced from 1,446 to 575. The MOE implemented new eligibility place October 31 – November 2, 2018 in The government completely removed requirements for students applying for Abu Dhabi, www.najahonline.com/en/ community colleges from the list, scholarship funding after enrolling in visit.html. although scholarships are still available institutions abroad. Students must be for one year of English as a Second in one of the world’s top 200 ranked • Oman. EduTREX, with the Sultanate of Language at an approved institution. universities, as determined by the MOE. Oman MOHE, takes place in August 2018, Globally, there was a reduction in the in Salalah, Oman, www.edutrex.com. number of approved institutions. The Regional EducationUSA Events government also reduced the number of Across MENA, EducationUSA centers • Egypt. The AMIDEAST Egypt StudyUSA UK universities by 20 percent. Students plan several in-person events Fair will be in Cairo and Alexandria, on scholarship, according to the new throughout the year. Check the October 12–13, 2018. regulations, need to have a job offer EducationUSA website and Facebook from a government entity before they pages to find information about • Qatar. The only university expo in get their scholarship approved. Upon webinars, fairs, and workshops in Qatar will be held in Doha from from graduation, students need to work for specific countries. Make sure to November 28 - 29, 2018, education. twice the number of years for which participate in ongoing virtual outreach knect365.com/university-expo-qatar/. they received a scholarship or repay the opportunities in challenging recruitment scholarship funds. The new changes, environments such as Libya, Syria, • Iraq. The Baghdad International Fair with the removal of community colleges Iran, and Yemen, as well as in Egypt, is held by the government annually in particular, will negatively impact where the majority of outreach is done and usually takes place in October; the the number of students who select online. Attend a monthly EducationUSA International Book Fair is scheduled for the United States as their destination. webinar where the REAC and in- March–April 2019. The number one challenge for Qataris country adviser will provide a one- traveling to the United States to pursue hour briefing on a specific country • Bahrain. EDUTEX Bahrain Education and their studies will be the availability of and include information on the local Training Exhibition will be at the Bahrain

52 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov International Exhibition and Convention abroad students in AY 2015–2016. The of students between the U.S. and Doha Center in March 2019, www.edutex.org. region saw a decrease of 11.7 percent campuses throughout the year. There over the previous year, with numbers are fewer opportunities for U.S. students • Saudi Arabia. The International dropping in Israel (-26.6 percent), Kuwait to study at other HEIs throughout Exhibition and Conference on Higher (-17.9 percent), Lebanon (-21.6 percent), the country because instruction is Education is a MOE hosted annual the Palestinian Territories (-50 percent), predominantly in Arabic. university fair with hundreds of and Tunisia (-58.7 percent). Despite the local and international universities decline, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Although EducationUSA advising participating. The fair is held every and UAE remain popular study abroad centers in the region do not host study other year, with the next one expected destinations. Several U.S. students also abroad programs, they offer internship to be held in April 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi come to study or participate in exchange opportunities and are eager to work Arabia, www.ieche.com.sa/en. programs at the six American universities with American student volunteers. at the Qatar Foundation. These Study abroad staff can inform students • Oman. Global Higher Education universities have exchange programs about potential internships and connect Exhibition, Oman’s largest higher with their home campuses and see a flow students with the local advising center. education Expo will be in April 2019, www.ghedex.om.

• Many EducationUSA centers in the Best and Worst Times of the Year to Interact with region host regular web chats and Students (Face to Face and Virtually) video conferences for students. Advisers hold short, online discussions Algeria. The best time to visit is from November to February. Avoid traveling about different programs of study during Ramadan and the Eid holidays. and undergraduate and graduate admissions issues MENA students Egypt. The best time to visit is from October to December and mid-February to face. Advisers also present regular April. Avoid visiting during Ramadan, Eid, and other major holidays including weekly or monthly sessions on Sham el Nessim (April) and Sinai Liberation Day (April 25). topics such as financial aid, writing a personal statement, and preparing for Iraq. The best time to visit is in February. Avoid visiting during Ramadan and the standardized tests. Eid holidays.

• All centers conduct pre-departure Israel. The best time to visit is from November to January and March to May. orientations in June or July. Some Avoid major holidays such as New Years and Passover, which can vary each year. centers in the Gulf also conduct orientations in January. American Jordan. The best time to visit is from October to November or February to May. institutions should advise accepted Avoid traveling during major religious holidays (Ramadan, Eid, Easter, Palm students to check educationusa. Sunday). state.gov or contact their local EducationUSA center for exact dates Lebanon. The best time to visit is from mid-October to March. First term exams and times. Even if a student has not take place in early January. Avoid visiting during major religious holidays. contacted EducationUSA at any point in the application process, he or she Libya. Travel is not advised. is welcome to attend a pre-departure orientation. Morocco. The best time to visit is from October to November or March to April. Avoid visiting during Ramadan and the Eid holidays. • Man y centers host counselor monthly meetings with counselors from the Palestinian Territories. The best time to visit is from September to November surrounding secondary schools. These or February to April. Avoid traveling during Ramadan, Eid, major exam periods meetings are a great way to get to know (October, December/January, May/June) and the summer break (June to different schools and meet prospective August). students. Interested representatives should contact an adviser and ask to Qatar. The best time to visit is from October to November or March to April. attend the next meeting. Avoid visiting during Ramadan and the Eid holidays.

U.S. Study Abroad in the Region Syria. Travel is not advised. The number of U.S. students studying in the MENA region has generally been Tunisia. The best time to visit is from October to March, avoid major exam relatively small compared with the periods (early December and late February to early March). number of U.S. students studying abroad in the rest of the world. The region Yemen. Travel not advised. hosted only two percent of all U.S. study

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 53 South and Central Asia Regional EducationUSA Profile

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, , Nepal, Pakistan, , Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

EducationUSA advising centers Regional Overview in South and Central Asia (SCA) The largest youth populations in the world EducationUSA are located at U.S. embassies and are found in SCA, a region of vast cultural Advising Centers consulates, Fulbright Commissions, and geographic diversity. The rapidly in the Region American Councils for International growing youth population translates to Education offices, and offices of limited access to higher education locally. local non-profit organizations. There Countries across SCA recognize the 16 Comprehensive are 80 advisers at 31 EducationUSA need for change and for curriculums that 9 Standard centers in SCA, with several countries prepare students with the skills needed in 7 Reference hosting multiple advising centers at the workforce. People-to-people ties and 32 various host institutions. The largest international student exchange are crucial concentration of centers is in India, in this region. South Asian economies are Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan. among the fastest growing in the world, India has 34 advisers across seven and the region is a tremendous market for centers, Pakistan has 14 advisers across recruiting highly qualified students. three centers, Bangladesh has seven advisers across three centers, and Stretching from Kazakhstan in the north Kazakhstan has five advisers across to Sri Lanka in the south, students in five centers. Advisers in SCA function this diverse region share common traits: as mentors and local experts in U.S. students seek similar fields of study higher education, providing advising (notably, STEM and business) and look for sessions at the center, engaging with the development of practical skills that students virtually and in person, and translate into jobs. They and their parents conducting outreach activities. The are impressed by the perceived prestige Opportunity Funds program currently of particular academic programs, and operates at EducationUSA advising view the award of a scholarship similarly, centers in Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, even a partial tuition award. But the and Turkmenistan. region’s differences are also pronounced, and across the region, there is a wide EducationUSA advising centers in SCA variety of educational systems, including conduct strategic outreach in close local government-supported schools and collaboration with U.S. embassy and private English-medium schools. In this consulate Public Affairs and Consular region, students from Central Asia are the sections. U.S. HEI representatives most likely to seek out English-language assist advising centers in conducting learning programs abroad. In India and outreach by providing webinars to the rest of South Asia, students are able audiences of advisers, students, high to master English in their home countries. school counselors, and graduate departments within local institutions. The burgeoning youth population, with a In addition, in-person visits to advising median age of less than 26 years, poses centers by U.S. college and university unique challenges not just in relation to representatives allow EducationUSA limited capacity and access to quality to highlight outreach opportunities higher education locally but also in with local HEIs and facilitate personal terms of access to resources generally. interaction with students, parents, and The ramifications of climate change are local educational institutions. increasingly felt across the region, and

54 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov concerns with water shortages, floods, to connect virtually and provide students Japan, Malaysia, and India have attracted land mass erosion, and failing crops with access to computers with good more students. These countries offer have led to greater migration of rural internet connectivity. government scholarships and affordable populations to urban areas, creating tuition to students from the region that, demands at all levels of society. The Students are increasingly going abroad combined with proximity to the students’ region recognizes the importance of to study and obtain the skills needed home countries, make these counties an investing in higher education capacity to implement change at home. Trained increasingly attractive alternative. to avoid brain drain but continues to specialists in the fields of resource struggle with the slow pace of change in sustainability, finance, business Reliance on consultants or agents is local education systems. administration, water management, increasingly common among prospective law, engineering, and social services are students. These consultants or agents The internet is widely accessible in SCA, required to meet regional challenges. provide a range of services, from offering with the majority of users accessing the The U.S. higher education system is minimal advice to full completion of the web through mobile devices. Some areas, well-placed to make an important application package on behalf of a student. usually major cities, have easy access to impact in SCA, and institutions that Admissions counselors should communicate fast and reliable internet service, while offer programs with real-world skills directly with prospective students about other areas have weak connectivity, if to address these challenges face good their application package when possible to any at all. Also, the average speed can prospects for recruitment. ensure they are able to articulate their own fluctuate between big and small cities. academic goals. Institutional representatives Power disruptions are decreasing; Although the United States remains the should highlight their institutional however, some countries continue to number one choice for higher education recruitment standards and ethics as a face outages during peak summer and abroad, students and families are attuned particular strength when speaking with winter months. In addition, government- to political developments and discourse parents and students. imposed restrictions limit online activity in the United States and perceived in some countries. Government limits attitudes toward foreigners. Students Recent Trends on internet speed, certain applications, are attracted to countries where they According to the most recent Open and services impact student use. This anticipate ease in obtaining student Doors report, in the United States, situation affects students’ ability to visas, work, and permanent residency. 20.3 percent of the total international access online applications, conduct Traditionally, students from the region student population originates from SCA. research, take tests, and interact virtually. gravitated toward the United States, In AY 2016–2017, Open Doors reports a EducationUSA centers in the region offer Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. 12.2-percent increase in mobility from this students an alternative and reliable way However, over the past few years, China, region to 218,937 from 195,135 students

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 55 South and Central Asia the previous year. were also among the top 25 countries increasingly concerned about safety • The majority, 54.2 percent, of the total in the world sending graduate students on campus and in the community at student population from SCA are in to the United States in 2016–2017, large. Many opt to apply to states and graduate programs, and 28 percent are according to the Open Doors report. institutions with existing enrolled in Optional Practical Training Other increases in graduate mobility communities from the local culture (OPT). Undergraduate students make within SCA include Turkmenistan (+7.7 or large international populations. up only 16.6 percent of total students percent), Kazakhstan (+4.6 percent), Institutions able to demonstrate and from SCA. and Sri Lanka (+4.6 percent). address concerns about the safety of international students and their successful • Nepal (+20.1 percent), India (+12.3 Several factors led to the growth in the integration into the surrounding percent), and Bangladesh (+9.7 percent) number of graduate students from the community will have an advantage. saw the fastest growth in the region for region. Local HEIs often require a foreign AY 2016–2017. terminal degree to join the faculty, fueling a Gap years are increasingly common growing interest in foreign doctorate (Ph.D.) among prospective students from the • The number of students coming from programs. A lack of opportunity to pursue region. Local curriculums are rigorous, India increased by 20,349 students, research in their home countries leads which makes it challenging for students to reaching 186,267 students, though the many students to seek foreign research prepare for the required admissions tests. growth rate was slower than the prior institutions, especially in the United States. Thus, they will often take a gap year to two years. The fastest growth was in Savvy students understand that careers prepare for the SAT or ACT. OPT, increasing 35.0 percent to 14,804 can be built on the important connections students. Growth at the graduate level made during graduate studies, so students Countries in the Spotlight slowed from 19.7 percent in 2015–2016 will prioritize a graduate degree abroad. The Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a long to just 3.0 percent in 2016–2017. high cost of a U.S. undergraduate education tradition of English language education, is also an important factor causing students a booming education sector, and a rising • India and Nepal remained among the to wait to study in the United States. middle class, all of which combine to top 25 countries in the world sending make Bangladesh a prime target for undergraduate students to the United In some countries, private English-medium student recruitment. Gross domestic States in AY 2016–2017, according to secondary schools are focused on preparing product growth averages more than six the Open Doors report. These countries students for undergraduate study abroad. percent per year. UNESCO reports more were in second and thirteenth place, Although such schools hesitate to sacrifice than 33,000 students studying abroad respectively, with Bangladesh joining class hours to accommodate visiting from Bangladesh, with the highest them at twenty-fifth and Pakistan not college and university representatives, numbers in Malaysia, followed by the far behind. Other notable increases EducationUSA advisers may be able United States, United Kingdom, Australia, in undergraduate mobility from the to assist institutional representatives and Germany. The Open Doors survey region include Pakistan (+13.5 percent), in securing a meeting. Advisers are reports a steady flow of Bangladeshi Bhutan (+9.9 percent), Maldives (+8.7 well-placed, well-connected, and able students studying in the United States, percent), Afghanistan (+7 percent), to invite appropriate students to meet with an increase of 9.7 percent for AY Turkmenistan (+6.3 percent), and Sri representatives either at EducationUSA 2016–2017. Bangladesh moved up to Lanka (+6 percent). advising centers or during a college fair. 25th in the list of countries sending the most students; Bangladesh’s growth • India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan Students and their families are rate is the third highest globally (jointly

Student Mobility in the Region (Five-Year Trend)

230,000 218,937

200,000 195,135

170,000 158,560

140,000 121,100 127,301

110,000

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

56 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov with Nigeria) and the highest among training continue to be concerns. percent of Indian students in the United the Muslim majority countries in the The growing private education sector States, and the highest growth, more than region. Graduate students (Master’s provides some relief to the expanding 35.0 percent, is among students enrolled in degree/Ph.D.) make up 60.5 percent of middle class. There are 114 Indian schools OPT. There was a 13.9-percent increase in Bangladeshi students in the United States. offering the International Baccalaureate undergraduate students, a growing trend The highest growth, an increase of more diploma program and more than 400 high over the past few years. than 20 percent, was among students schools offering the International General enrolling in extended OPT opportunities. Certificate of Secondary Education The majority of Indian students will take curriculum in India. Such high schools out bank loans to finance a portion of their The most popular fields of study recognize the need for professional overseas education. On average, bank include engineering and business with a college counseling and are hiring staff to loans finance about 80 percent of the cost growing interest in the humanities and meet demands to help students apply to of education, with personal funds covering social sciences. There are sectors of the institutions abroad. the remaining 20 percent. Most families population that can afford to fully fund save funds in dedicated accounts over students’ studies in the United States, but Indian students’ international education time, in fixed deposits, or in Employees’ receiving a scholarship is a matter of pride preferences are complex and diverse. Provident Fund accounts (similar to U.S. and prestige. Students pursue higher At the undergraduate level, the intense retirement accounts). Many also possess education opportunities in Australia and nature of academic preparation, emphasis fixed assets in the form of land, jewelry, or the United Kingdom as a result of ease of on test scores, and competition to stocks and mutual funds. Converting fixed access to visas, residency opportunities, gain admission to a high-quality local assets to liquid assets for proof of finances and perceived affordability. Bangladesh is educational institution pushes parents is a major concern for students. a relatively small country in area but is the and students to consider destinations second most densely populated country abroad for higher education. Flexibility The reorganization of the Indian higher in the world, with 53 percent of the of choice and research opportunities are education sector is an important population younger than 30 years old. important considerations in the decision- factor in student mobility. The current making process. At the graduate level, government proposed a draft national Higher education in Bangladesh has students do their research and seek educational policy to address issues made immense strides, but a foreign programs that will provide them with and concerns related to institutional degree is still seen as a significant specific and specialized knowledge to oversight, relevance of higher education career asset. At the undergraduate launch their careers. A degree from a offerings, vocational education, and HEI level, practical education and skill top foreign university is highly valued collaborations. This pro-reform stance development are closely tied to access in the Indian job market. Students may of the Indian government could lead to to the labor market, and Bachelor’s and seek options within their previous area of several significant changes in the Indian Associate degrees offering enhanced studies or seek multidisciplinary programs higher education system. For instance, vocational skills are popular. to further diversify their knowledge base. the government has already initiated Students are increasingly attracted to digitization of all academic records Research opportunities at the graduate new fields of study in disciplines such as under the National Academic Depository level are limited in Bangladesh, and artificial intelligence, data sciences, and program to provide credible educational many Bangladeshis acquire a Master’s data analytics. There is growing interest in documentation to third parties such as degree in Bangladesh before pursuing a practical applications in emerging fields. HEIs and prospective employers. second research-based graduate degree For example, students are interested abroad. Competing in international in game design and development, Kazakhstan. The overall number of research competitions has grown in animation, filmmaking, graphic arts, Kazakh students studying in the United popularity in Bangladesh. In 2017, a music, and sound engineering. Finances, States decreased by about 7.0 percent in team from Independent University physical safety, research opportunities, AY 2016–2017. Although undergraduate Bangladesh placed in the top ten in and practical training opportunities numbers decreased by 9.0 percent, the NASA Mars Rover competition, and (such as Curricular Practical Training or graduate student numbers increased by a team from Dhaka University placed CPT, and Optional Practical Training or 4.7 percent. first in the Facebook Global Digital OPT) are important factors in students’ Challenge. There is a steady growth in decision-making. Student profiles and Kazakh students interested in English- Bangladeshi Ph.D. applicants to foreign their fields of interest vary from region to language instruction Bachelor’s degrees HEIs, mainly as a result of the local region within India. typically first consider Nazarbayev universities’ requirement for a foreign University, the flagship national Ph.D. degree to join the faculty. The latest Open Doors data shows university that has partnerships with 186,267 Indian students in the United many U.S. institutions. The government’s India. By the year 2020, India will be States in AY 2016-2017, an increase of 12.0 Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools and the youngest country in the world. It percent compared with AY 2015–2016. Nazarbayev University still offer free is estimated that more than half of the The growth in graduate mobility slowed; education to the country’s high- total population is younger than the however, there is continued growth in performing youth; however, because age of 26. Limited capacity and access undergraduate mobility. Graduate students of limited seats and highly competitive to quality education and vocational (Master’s degree/Ph.D.) make up 56.3 standards of admissions, many elite

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 57 South and Central Asia

Kazakh students seek to study abroad. academic exchange programs and hosts percent compared with only 33 percent Kazakhstan is a landlocked country with all three of Pakistan’s EducationUSA pursuing undergraduate education in a population of more than 17 million. advising centers. Through these exchange AY 2016-17—of the Sri Lankan students The rapidly growing economy is largely programs, 19,000 exchange participants pursuing studies in the United States. dependent on the country’s oil and gas from Pakistan have come to the United reserves. Exchange rate issues affect States since 1946. Pakistani youth are Growth in the local private education families’ decisions about study abroad, academically strong and globally aware sector has been strong and somewhat with parents and students seeking more as a result of widespread internet use controversial. The Ministry of Higher affordable educational options. Most and exposure to 20 television news Education recognizes fewer than 20 consider studying domestically or in channels now available in the country. private HEIs. Wealthier families prefer China, South Korea, Malaysia, Germany, These well-informed young Pakistanis private education opportunities to or Russia. Kazakhstan’s new minister of are increasingly interested in U.S. study prepare their children to study abroad. An education announced that the education options and are able to make discerning unregulated segment of the private sector system will gradually become trilingual choices when comparing international operates “affiliated” institutions, which in 2018, and the sciences are expected to study options. offer degree programs in partnership with be taught in English in all schools across foreign institutions. UNESCO reports that the country. Kazakhstan has more than Sri Lanka. Despite the 27-year civil war for 17,790 outbound students from Sri 66,000 students studying abroad but that began in 1983 and ended in 2009, Lanka, the leading destination for study less than 3.0 percent choose to study in the country maintains some of the abroad is Australia, followed by the United the United States. highest literacy rates in South Asia. The States, United Kingdom, and India. population is about 22 million, slightly Pakistan. In AY 2016–2017, there was a less than the population of Texas, with The number one factor that motivates 14.2-percent increase over the previous 40 percent under the age of 24. While Sri Lankan students is improved year of Pakistani students (7,015) studying primary, secondary, and higher education employment prospects at home. Most in the United States, according to Open are free and accessible, capacity and students gravitate toward existing Doors. The increase was equally split quality are the primary challenges. Only Sri Lankan diaspora communities among undergraduate and graduate ten percent of the 200,000 who sit for abroad. The population of outbound students, with both groups increasing the national Advanced Level exam is students, although very mobile, is approximately 13.5 percent over the accepted to local universities. As a result quite small compared with regional previous year. The major cities of Karachi, of the highly selective local admissions counterparts in South Asia. One way in Lahore, and Islamabad/Rawalpindi process and limited capacity of local which EducationUSA lends support to have large populations of students who institutions, Sri Lankans will continue to students who prepare to study abroad apply to study abroad, and cities such as explore studying abroad. is through outreach to the “affiliated” Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujrat, and Gujranwala private institutions offering transfer also have large numbers of prospective The number of students enrolling from Sri opportunities to institutions abroad. students interested in pursuing higher Lanka grew 5.9 percent to 3,263 students Prospective undergraduate students from education at foreign institutions. Colleges in the United States in AY 2016–2017. The the government-supported institutions and universities planning to recruit number of graduate students increased will likely need generous scholarships to in Pakistan should consider a broad by 4.6 percent, and the number of study in the United States. EducationUSA range of cities for recruitment. The U.S. undergraduate students increased even Sri Lanka conducts Competitive College Educational Foundation in Pakistan more, by 6.1 percent. However, graduate Clubs, cohort advising, and implements administers several U.S. government students make up a larger portion—50 the Opportunity Funds program.

Five Countries of Origin (with over 100 students) with Highest Percentage Growth, International Students in the Region (Five-Year Trend) Country 2012/13 2016/17 %Change

India 96,754 186,267 92.5% Bangladesh 3,828 7,143 86.6% Pakistan 4,772 7,015 47.0% 92.5%India has the largest percentage growth in Nepal 8,920 11,607 30.1% the region over the last five years(with over Uzbekistan 445 505 13.5% 100 students)

58 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is Central mutual understanding between Five Countries of Origin Asia’s most populous country with Pakistan and the United States through in the Region with Highest more than 30 million people, and more sustainable peer-to-peer relationships. Per Capita College-Age than 64 percent younger than age Eighteen partnerships have been 30. More than 50 percent of Uzbek established, and their success is Student Mobility to the students in the United States are expected to lead to more institutions United States pursuing an undergraduate degree, seeking comparable programs. including students at community colleges. The most popular fields of • In Afghanistan, decades of war, civil study are business administration, unrest, internal conflicts, and political information technology/computer instability have destroyed the country’s Nepal science, and economics/finance. basic social service delivery mechanisms Community colleges and short-term or and have affected the educational College-Age English as a Second Language courses system. The Ministry of Education’s Population attract attention and interest. Students priority is to increase the share of 0.4% 2,979,701 continue to pursue higher education in faculty who hold a Master’s degree or Russia, China, and the United Kingdom Ph.D. There is a strong push to continue as a result of the ease of access and to support female education at all affordability. In spring 2017, the new levels. Afghanistan’s education system president signed the resolution “On desperately needs to produce a new Measures to Further Develop the generation of professional workers for System of Higher Education.” Under the the government and for the private new program, the Uzbek government sector who can lead the country Sri Lanka invites at least 350 highly skilled into a more productive future. The College-Age foreign instructors and scientists government’s aim is to raise university Population to teach and research in relation to enrollment overall, with a focus on 0.2% the development of Uzbekistan’s women and girls and more graduate 1,555,813 colleges and universities each year, and doctoral programs. As the country including the revision of teacher and rebuilds its educational infrastructure specialist training to meet international and increases capacity, local institutions standards. Uzbek universities are now will look to the United States and other required to establish partnerships countries to build partnerships and Bhutan with foreign universities. The higher create linkages. education system will introduce College-Age advanced international experience to • China’s ambitious “One Belt One 0.2% Population the education process and improve Road” project, which aims to develop 80,973 the skills of teachers and scholars infrastructure across Central Asia, via closer relationships with leading South Asia, and on to Europe, includes foreign educational and scientific education as a priority element. Future institutions. collaboration will attract prospective students to seize opportunities in the What to Expect in the Next Three East Asia region. India to Five Years College-Age • As South Asia’s youth come of age, an Population increasing number of students will study 0.2% abroad. Across the region, competition 119,466,823 for limited seats at respected local undergraduate institutions, particularly Regional Student Totals in engineering and business, may Top Five Countries of Origin result in an increase in undergraduate applicants to the United States. Country 2016/17 % Change Kazakhstan 2015/16 College-Age • The U.S.-Pakistan university partnership 0.1% Population initiative, funded by the Public India 186,267 12.3% 1,436,561 Affairs section of the U.S. embassy Nepal 11,607 20.1% in Islamabad, establishes long-term Bangladesh 7,143 9.7% relationships between Pakistani Pakistan 7,015 14.2% and American HEIs. These three- Source:UNESCO Institute of Statistics; Indicator: year partnerships promote faculty Sri Lanka 3,263 5.9% 2015 Population of the official age for tertiary professional development, curriculum education, both sexes reform, joint research, and increased

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 59 South and Central Asia

Virtual and Social Media Usage Successful Recruiting Strategies • Across the region, internet access is • EducationUSA at the Edward M. • Connect with students through widely available but varies greatly in Kennedy Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh, EducationUSA college and university speed and accessibility outside of big schedules regular Skype sessions fairs throughout the region. Graduate cities. Where it is available, internet is for students to interact with U.S. and undergraduate applicants easily accessible and most commonly institutions. appreciate the opportunity to meet used through mobile devices. institutional representatives in person, • In Afghanistan, few people have regular discuss available options, and have • Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, internet access. Information is shared via questions answered to feel well Snapchat, and WhatsApp are popular SMS text messages. To send information informed when making decisions about throughout the region. Telegram is via SMS about a U.S. institution or where to apply. also popular in Central Asia, where program, contact the EducationUSA social media platforms are among advisers in Kabul for assistance. • Initiate summer programs for high the strongest ways to promote school students. A positive experience study programs, scholarships, and • In Turkmenistan, restrictions on popular at a summer program encourages EducationUSA center events. social media remain blocked and students to continue toward a degree the government has denied access program at an institution. • Unreliable internet connections can’t for almost all networking websites. always sustain webinars and remote Students primarily rely on traditional • Connect and meet the EducationUSA sessions; however, messaging tools and methods of advising: in-person, advisers at centers in the region. social media announcements are still telephone, and email. Participate in informational seminars highly effective. Messages about student that showcase the breadth of U.S. higher success stories and short, engaging bits • YouTube, banned since 2012, became education and highlight the strengths of information are most popular. available to Pakistanis in 2015. Many of U.S. educational institutions or offer • EducationUSA advisers in India, Nepal, Pakistanis continue to use alternative insights into specific fields of study that and Sri Lanka host virtual advising websites such as Vimeo and Daily Motion. might not be familiar. Although sessions through weekly live chats on Facebook. must be strictly informational in nature

60 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov and not promotional, the institution’s Asia allocate funding each year for Kazakhstan. Since 2011, the government’s presence will attract attention and may students to pursue higher education Bolashak scholarship program has funded enhance recruitment efforts. overseas. Because of lower tuition, professional development and technical proximity, and similar cultural traditions, skills development to address a shortage • Combine multiple partial financial aid however, students with government of specialists in fields related to economic awards into larger awards for fewer funding often attend schools closer to development. The Bolashak program students. Providing larger awards serves home in countries such as the United includes funding for arts and mass media as a magnet to attract good students who Kingdom, Turkey, and India. Many industry professionals along with public in turn share their positive experiences students still desire to study in the United servants, academic and medical staff, with peers, encouraging the peers to States, and institutions able to offer engineers, and technical workers. The apply. Word of mouth is the most effective competitive tuition or discounts have a program provides full funding for study recruiting tool in the region. recruiting advantage. in the United States, including a monthly stipend for living expenses, roundtrip • Encourage alumni to become engaged Bhutan. The Scholarship and Student airfare, textbook allowances, and health and represent the college or university Division at the Department of Adult and insurance. Students can use scholarships at EducationUSA fairs and to visit Higher Education, Ministry of Education, for general English studies, Master’s and EducationUSA centers to meet students Royal Government of Bhutan hosts and Ph.D. programs, as well as short-term and conduct information sessions. manages scholarships offered by American scientific training opportunities (www. institutions specifically for Bhutanese bolashak.gov.kz/en/). • Provide opportunities for parents of students. If interested in designing a enrolled students to meet parents of scholarship for Bhutanese students, please Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government prospective students to provide a sense contact the New Delhi-based Regional encourages its students to study abroad of security to families anxious about Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) with country-specific scholarships to a sending children abroad. to facilitate meetings with the Ministry variety of countries including Russia, China, of Education. For more information, visit Japan, New Zealand, and India for both • Clearly inform prospective students of www.education.gov.bt/scholarship. undergraduate and graduate degrees, options for internship possibilities and other practical training experiences. Career prospects greatly influence and pique the interest of applicants in the U.S. Study Abroad region.

• T alk to applicants and their parents Top Five Receiving Countries in the Region via video chat and take advantage of multimedia capabilities and webinar options at advising centers. Destination 2015/16 % Change Students appreciate the opportunity to speak directly to an admissions India 4,181 -8.6% representative or student. Nepal 370 0.5% • Expand the list of cities considered for Sri Lanka 145 19.8% recruitment destinations. EducationUSA Bhutan 114 178.0% can advise on how to effectively go Kyrgyzstan 59 96.7% beyond the capital cities to smaller cities and rural areas to reach students eager to expand their horizons through higher education abroad. Five Countries (with over 25 students) with Highest • Showcase success stories. Emphasize the value of a degree from a particular Percentage Growth, U.S. Students in the Region institution, options for affordable (Five-Year Trend) financing and scholarships, and the successful career trajectories of alumni. Country Name 2011/12 2015/16 % Change Publicize the successes of international Bhutan 28 114 307.1% students through the EducationUSA Kazakhstan 26 56 115.4% centers in their home countries. Advisers see a lot of interest in such highlights Kyrgyzstan 37 59 58.5% when they are shared on social media. Nepal 257 370 43.9% Sri Lanka 102 145 42.2% Foreign Government and Private Funding Many governments in South and Central

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 61 South and Central Asia however there are no scholarships currently president, runs a competition to select from the end and chemistry), water and for students to study in the United States. gifted young people to study in American land resources management, engineering and European Master’s programs. The technology, food technology, food Uzbekistan. The Karimov Foundation, grant is open for the following fields of safety, food production and marketing, established in 2016 in honor of the late study: natural sciences (renewable energy architecture (urban development and protection and restoration of architectural monuments), design (product design, industrial and architectural design), and fine Best and Worst Times of the Year to Interact with arts/painting. The fund fully covers tuition Students (Face to Face and Virtually) and living costs in foreign countries for as long as two years. Uzbek students generally With regard to holidays, note that the Muslim calendar is lunar-based, and can afford as much as USD$10,000 per year dates vary from year to year. Please check the U.S. embassy websites and with to study abroad. EducationUSA advising centers for a complete list of annual holidays. Exam periods and religious holidays can vary because not all countries or school Regional EducationUSA Events systems within a country are on the same academic timetable. Advisers try to Use the EducationUSA website to find accommodate representatives’ needs and plans throughout the year. country-specific information about upcoming fairs, webinars, and other Afghanistan. The best times to visit are October to November and February to April. events and activities. The most recent EducationUSA SCA Regional Forum Bangladesh. The best times to visit are January to April and July to December. was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, January Avoid public holidays (e.g., Ramadan and Eid holidays). 31–February 3, 2018. The event brought together 80 representatives of 71 Bhutan. The best time to visit is from March to June. Avoid travel between colleges, universities, associations, and November and January during exams, school closings, and holidays. testing organizations as well as all of the advisers in the region. The event closed India. The best time to visit India to recruit both undergraduate and graduate with a full-day fair, attracting almost students is from April through December. To recruit graduate students, visit 2,200 Nepali prospective students. between mid-January through mid-March. States adhere to local holidays in Regional forums are held approximately addition to national holidays. Check the U.S. embassy in New Delhi’s list of every three years. holidays to note regional holidays. Fairs and Conferences Kazakhstan. The best time to visit is October to April. Avoid visiting during In addition to the many in-person student major exam periods from January to February and May to June. recruitment opportunities offered through participation in EducationUSA fairs and Kyrgyzstan. The best time to visit is October to February. Avoid exams and conferences, representatives of U.S. school holidays from May to August. institutions often capitalize on these events to receive a country briefing from Maldives. The best time to visit is from February to July but be sure to avoid Islamic EducationUSA advisers, meet with U.S. holidays. The worst times to visit are May and October when high school exams are Embassy Public Affairs and Consular Affairs scheduled and November to January when schools and universities are closed. staff (subject to scheduling availability), make a presentation at an EducationUSA Nepal. Visit any time of the year except exam season from May to June and advising center, or visit a local high school festival season, predominantly October but may vary according to the year. or college. Contact the EducationUSA staff organizing the event to explore options for Pakistan. The best time to visit is September to February. Avoid Ramadan, Eid, maximizing the impact of participation. Visit exams, and school holidays from May to August. www.educationusa.state.gov and select “Find an Event” to see the latest upcoming Sri Lanka. The best times of the year to visit are January to February, May fairs, conferences, center events, and more: to July, and September to November. Avoid visiting during local exams and holidays in March, April, August, and December. • Afghanistan. For three consecutive years, the annual education expo has Tajikistan. The ideal time for U.S. institutions to visit is September to October attracted large numbers of interested and April to May. Students are off school in December, March, and for summer students. To share information at the break from June to August. expo, contact an EducationUSA adviser at [email protected]. Turkmenistan. The best time to visit is from the end of June to November. The major exams period runs from late May to approximately June 20 and should be avoided. • Bhutan. The Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes an Uzbekistan. The best times to visit are September to November and February to May. annual International Education Fair in Thimphu in March. For details, please

62 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov contact REAC Ishrat Jahan at ijahan@ educationusa.org.

• India. The EducationUSA tour in India is hosted in partnership with EducationUSA host institutions. The tour takes place in the fall and travels through as many as eight cities. EducationUSA India also hosts alumni fairs in December/January. For details, contact REAC Ishrat Jahan at ijahan@ educationusa.org.

• Kazakhstan. EducationUSA centers participate in spring and fall international student fairs, the Begin Group spring and fall international education fairs, and the winter Globus Education Fair.

• Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan. The EducationUSA advising centers and U.S. Embassies in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic invite accredited U.S. higher education institutions to the 2018 EducationUSA Central Asia Fall Tour through Astana, Aktobe, Almaty, and Bishkek, October 6 - 16. Last year, 24 U.S. institutions participated and met with over 2,500 students. For details, contact EducationUSA in Kazakhstan at [email protected]. exhibition and scientific conference U.S. Study Abroad in the Region titled “Education, Sport, and Tourism Language is a common reason for U.S. • Pakistan. The annual Dawn Education in the Era of Power and Happiness” in students to study abroad. Russian is widely Expo in Pakistan runs for one week in Ashgabat in November. EducationUSA spoken in Kazakhstan, which means it is an February and travels from Islamabad to will be attending the GOTX Education excellent site for Russian language learning Lahore and Karachi. The event attracts Fair October 9–10, 2018, in Ashgabat for foreign students. Tajikistan historically more than 10,000 participants. In addition, and encourages U.S higher education has been a popular destination for students EducationUSA hosts a fall and spring participation. The EducationUSA to study Farsi, and in 2017, more than 100 tour to Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. advising center in Ashgabat reaches Americans were studying and mastering The fall fair is scheduled from September thousands of high school and languages (Farsi, Dari, Uzbek, Tajiki, Russian, 30–October 9, 2018. In spring 2018, 27 university students, parents, teachers, and Pashtu) in Tajikistan through various U.S. universities attended. For information, professors, and various organizations programs, such as the Critical Language contact EducationUSA Pakistan at at this event. For details, contact Scholarship program, National Security [email protected]. the EducationUSA center at eac@ Language Initiative-Youth, and Eurasian americancouncilstm.org. Regional Language Program. • South Asia Tour. Join the tour through Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The South • Uzbekistan. The Expocontact Ltd. SCA overall saw a decrease of three Asia tour includes college and university Company under the Chamber of percent in the number of U.S. study fairs, secondary school visits, cultural Commerce and Industry of the abroad students in 2015–2016 compared activities, and visits to local universities Republic of Uzbekistan organizes an with the previous year, with 4,980 relevant for graduate-level recruiters. annual Education and Career Fair with American students traveling to different The costs are deliberately kept as low as support from the Ministry of Higher countries in the region. India continues possible to offer an affordable recruitment and Secondary Specialized Education to attract the largest number of study opportunity. The tour takes place in of Uzbekistan. More than 30,000 high abroad students in the region, with more the spring and fall each year, traveling school students, university students, than 4,000 American students (84.0 through six cities. For details, email and faculty attend. This fair occurs percent) in 2015–2016, followed by Nepal [email protected]. twice a year, usually in early April and with 370 students (7.4 percent). For AY mid-September. U.S. institutions are 2015–2016, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, and Sri • Turkmenistan. The government invited to contact the advising center Lanka saw a slight increase in the number sponsors an annual international for more information. of American study abroad students.

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 63 Western Hemisphere Regional EducationUSA Profile

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela

The Western Hemisphere (WHA) has 142 which attract massive crowds of qualified EducationUSA centers: students interested in study in the United EducationUSA • 20 comprehensive, 13 standard, and States. Regional fairs in WHA highlight Advising Centers one reference center in the Andean undergraduate, graduate, intensive in the Region sub-region language, and short-term programs; there are also specialized fairs and country- • 30 comprehensive, 16 standard, and specific tours throughout the region. As 74 Comprehensive eight reference centers in the North a key public diplomacy tool for U.S. and 53 Standard America, Central America, local governments, fairs often include 15 Reference and Caribbean sub-region the presence of high-profile government 142 officials. EducationUSA centers frequently • 24 comprehensive, 24 standard, and six support Education Trade Missions reference centers in the Southern Cone and state educational consortia visits sub-region organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce. EducationUSA advisers in Advising centers in WHA are located at the region also support U.S. embassy- U.S. embassies and consulates, bi-national and consulate-organized alumni fairs at centers (BNCs), American Spaces, which U.S. government officials share Fulbright Commissions, local higher their experiences as college or university education institutions (HEIs), national students with the public and distribute government ministries, public libraries, information about their alma maters. and non-profit organizations. Four new centers opened within the past year: EducationUSA advisers participate in local three in Brazil (Belo Horizonte, Caxias do as well as commercial fairs organized Sul, and Porto Alegre) and one in Chile by private organizations to promote (Santiago). The region has 156 advisers, exchange opportunities in the United 49 percent of whom are based at BNCs. States. EducationUSA advisers at these fairs host information sessions and EducationUSA advising centers in the region interact with the public in the exhibit halls. offer at least one annual pre-departure orientation open to the public either in- Hosting U.S. HEI representatives is a high person or virtually. Advisers collaborate priority for WHA EducationUSA advising with consular officers, U.S. higher education centers. During these visits, advisers set admissions, and international student up group presentations, open houses, services officers as well as alumni during one-on-one appointments, and specialized these orientations in an effort to offer workshops for tailored audiences at comprehensive information to the students EducationUSA centers and partner and their families. Centers in countries with institutions. In addition, EducationUSA foreign government initiatives organize pre- advisers record HEI representatives’ departure orientations tailored to the needs workshops, interviews, videos, and podcasts of those programs. to share virtually with the public through social media outlets. EducationUSA fairs take place at least once a year in Mexico, Central America, Over the past year, WHA EducationUSA the Caribbean, and South America, advisers hosted more than 400 webinars

64 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov to connect U.S. college and university representatives with local students, parents, and counselors to inform them about U.S. higher education opportunities and explain the application process. U.S. embassies and U.S. HEIs co-host EducationUSA webinars and viewing parties for virtual events such as EducationUSA Interactive webinars.

Advisers use virtual advising to target non-traditional audiences in remote locations like Patagonia, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, and the Canadian Arctic, as well as in countries or areas of a country in which the current political and security environment limits the possibilities of in-person presentations, such as in Venezuela. They use social media tools such as Facebook, Google+ Hangouts, Skype, and WhatsApp to promote EducationUSA services.

With at least one EducationUSA Facebook fan page in each WHA country and nearly 300,000 followers, EducationUSA advisers are expanding their reach through increasingly popular social media platforms such as YouTube and blogs, demonstrated by a growth of around 55 percent in both views and contacts.

Advising centers in the region connect with current international students in the United States as well as alumni of U.S. institutions and U.S. government programs to support activities such as alumni fairs, cohort advising, and outreach. EducationUSA advisers throughout the WHA region engage with U.S. students, volunteers, and professionals to promote the United States as a higher education destination. For example, Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs), Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), Gilman Scholars, offering capacity-building workshops on Regional Overview and U.S. students studying abroad best practices for study abroad, funded Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean at local universities collaborate with by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural make up the U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA on various levels, whether Affairs’ (ECA) USA Study Abroad Branch. WHA region, a diverse area spread across delivering writing workshops, tutoring 35 countries that boasts a combined students in English, or conducting The Opportunity Funds program is total population of approximately 900 outreach visits in remote areas. currently available through EducationUSA million. With five countries among the centers in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, top 25 sending countries of international Many universities overseas continue Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El students to the United States (Canada, to express interest in developing and Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia), strengthening partnerships with U.S. HEIs Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and 106,720 students in the United States to increase academic exchanges between and Venezuela. During the past year, 40 during the AY 2016–2017, the WHA the United States and WHA. To strengthen students from across the WHA region region is second only to Asia in terms of internationalization efforts, EducationUSA were offered admission to U.S. colleges international student mobility to the United advisers in several countries act as liaisons and universities and accepted more than States. With steady growth in the numbers between U.S. and local universities, $3,000,000 in scholarship offers. of undergraduate and graduate students,

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 65 Western Hemisphere

WHA represents 9.9 percent of the global programs and policy. Governments are workshops, and special events, please figure of international students in the focused on strengthening teachers’ visit www.100kStrongAmericas.org. United States. language and methodological skills and supporting their capacity-building Though WHA seems to be a cohesive In spite of economic and political efforts across the region. Many local region, its languages, cultures, and challenges throughout the region, governments are funding short-term educational systems vary by sub-region. the economy in WHA continues to be English language programs for students Educational systems follow the British, generally stable. Petroleum, mining, and teachers, now more readily available French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch agriculture, manufacturing industries, and in non-English-speaking WHA countries. models in combination with regionally services, including banking and tourism, developed credentialing models aimed continue to be a source of wealth for the The leading education diplomacy initiative at achieving standardization in the sub- majority of WHA countries. As a result, the for the WHA region is the 100,000 Strong regions. Academic calendars vary across Americas continue to allocate substantial in the Americas Innovation Fund—the the region, some of which make it difficult resources to expand science, technology, public-private sector collaboration for students to submit the required and innovation as well as to develop a between the U.S. Department of State, documents on time for U.S. college and strong, capable workforce to continue Partners of the Americas, and NAFSA— university admissions deadlines. growing local and regional economies. leveraged by contributions from private Advisers report that WHA students’ top sector entities, foundations, regional WHA countries have diverse economies choices in 2017 for academic programs education partners, and universities. and deep disparities in gross domestic in the United States were in business and The Innovation Fund grant competitions product (GDP) per capita and purchasing entrepreneurship; science, technology, encourage U.S. HEIs to forge partnerships power. Access to quality education at engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with other universities in the Americas the primary school level and beyond fields; and social sciences. to create new student exchange and is an issue for socially excluded training programs to and from the region. communities across the region. Access Many universities and research centers Since its inception in January 2014, to telecommunications varies greatly. throughout WHA have a new or increased a total of 168 Innovation Fund grants Although on average, 65 percent of focus on internationalization. In some have been awarded to teams of 325 people in WHA have internet, internet countries, industry is investing in HEIs from 25 countries. Forty-one U.S. usage ranges from 12 percent in Haiti academia, and public-private partnerships states benefit from these partnerships. to around 30 percent in most of Central to fund international educational More than 1,750 HEIs form part of the America to more than 70 percent in initiatives are becoming more common. Innovation Network (1,000 of those the most prosperous countries in South Workforce development has become in the United States). EducationUSA America and 90 percent in Canada. a priority in bilateral dialogues, with a centers and U.S. embassies encourage resulting focus on partnerships between and support HEIs to create partnerships Flight options in WHA can be limited non-traditional institutions such as using these grants to increase student in that there are few regional hubs to technical universities and U.S. community mobility. Bi-national centers are eligible to facilitate direct travel between countries. colleges, supported by the private sector. submit Innovation Fund grant proposals In Central America and the Caribbean, in partnerships with WHA and U.S. flights typically connect through Miami, Teacher training through exchanges and universities and colleges. To stay informed San Salvador, and Panama. In South virtual platforms is increasingly a key about 100,000 Strong in the Americas America, Bogota, Lima, Santiago, Buenos part of national and regional educational Innovation Fund grant competitions, Aires, and Sao Paulo are the major hubs.

Student Mobility in the Region (Five-Year Trend)

120,000 113,618 111,881 110,000 106,720 100,622 100,000 94,221

90,000

80,000

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

66 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov Flight travel between smaller cities is not preference for enrolling in institutions EducationUSA in Argentina and funded always frequent. Ground transportation located in predominantly urban and by ECA’s USA Study Abroad Branch. may be the only option for traveling coastal areas of the United States where This workshop initiated partnership within smaller countries. Travelers to the they believe they will be welcomed and discussions between Argentine and U.S. region should refer to the U.S. Department feel safer. higher education associations. of State travel advisories for up-to-date guidance and recommendations, paying • Many students within the Caribbean • Central American countries continue to careful attention to local conditions. community choose to study at the report steady northbound mobility with regional University of the West Indies. a high percentage of students enrolling Recent Trends In an effort to retain more students in specifically in two-year institutions. • During the past year, EducationUSA the region, Caribbean governments are Honduras leads this sub-region in total advisers have addressed increasing beginning to transform other local HEIs number of students studying in the questions from students related to from two-year to four-year models. United States, with El Salvador being security concerns about U.S. campuses, Institutions seek to internationalize their the top sender of students from Central obtaining student visas, and whether campuses and build partnerships with America to U.S. community colleges. In they will be welcome in the United U.S. institutions to improve the quality the past year, the U.S. Department of States. EducationUSA advisers are of their academic programs and attract Commerce organized and EducationUSA working hard to demystify issues, more students by offering dual degrees, supported several education missions to explaining to students the actual increasing transfer options for students, Costa Rica and Honduras, highlighting environment in the United States, and facilitating faculty exchanges. The two-year institutions as viable options sharing examples of inclusion, and United States remains the top study for students from the region. highlighting the benefits of U.S. study. destination for students from the Advisers have been pointing to the Caribbean. The #YouAreWelcomeHere • Throughout WHA, especially in North #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign campaign has had a significant effect in and Central America and the Caribbean, message from HEIs across the country assuring students from the Caribbean that there is increased interest in short- as evidence of campus, community, and they are welcome in the United States. term and summer programs as well as state and local government welcome to pre-professional experiences including international students. Such messages • The worsening of Venezuela’s political internships in the United States. have been helpful to reassure students and economic environment continues and their parents that U.S. campuses to expedite the flight of professors • A new trend in Brazil is the U.S.-Brazilian are truly dedicated to welcoming to other countries in the region. This dual high school diploma. In cases where international students and are interested loss of faculty has deeply affected the local high schools do not offer required in their success and well-being. quality of local higher education and English language courses for these academic options available, resulting in diplomas, some BNCs in Brazil step in to • Local political and economic conditions more students looking for educational offer these subjects. Such dual diploma in WHA continue to drive mobility to opportunities abroad. The United States programs have significantly increased the the United States. Instability and safety continues to be the preferred study number of prospective students interested concerns are factors that encourage destination; however, Venezuelans who in applying to undergraduate programs in some families to send students abroad. hold dual citizenship with European the United States. Economic recessions force young countries find it more affordable and professionals to delay graduate studies easier to study there than in the United Countries in the Spotlight or look for more affordable options. States. For economic reasons, many Brazil. There are 35 EducationUSA offices Despite the cost of a U.S. higher Venezuelans are also pursuing study in Brazil, with a total of 42 EducationUSA education, many students in the region options in nearby countries. advisers that cover a country similar in recognize its value and are willing to size to the United States. Advisers hold invest in it, resulting in modest increases • In some countries, changes in Facebook Live events to accommodate in mobility to the United States. For government have led to more huge numbers of students that want example, Bolivia had a 5.7 percent internationalization initiatives and information on U.S. study options; some increase of students studying in the partnership agreements to increase Fulbright ETAs mentor EducationUSA United States in AY 2016–2017. two-way exchanges between U.S. students; and EducationUSA Brazil and local universities. For example, organizes general fairs and fairs that target • Diasporic connections and offers several Argentine higher education specific fields of study such as the new of in-state tuition rates continue to associations attended a 2017 meeting Master of Laws (LLM) fair circuit. According attract WHA students to northeastern, of the American Association of State to UNESCO statistics, the United States southern, and western U.S. states. In the Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in continues to be the leading destination for case of Mexico and Canada, as a result Washington, DC, where they established Brazilians, and Brazil ranks 10th in the world of their proximity to the United States, agreements to promote exchanges in sending students to the United States. student interest is concentrated in states between the two countries. This GDP has grown in the past two quarters, near the borders of those countries. collaboration is a direct result of a May and exports grew by double digits at the An increasing number of international 2017 study abroad capacity-building end of 2017. For 2018 and 2019, 2.5-percent students appears to be expressing a workshop hosted by Fulbright and economic growth is predicted.

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 67 Western Hemisphere

Brazil’s Ministry of Education recently taking advantage of specialties such as With these issues in mind, Canadian HEIs announced a major reform in secondary Brazil’s expertise in undersea petroleum continue to expand their internationalization education, launching a new model of high exploration and drilling. The Brazilian efforts for Canadian students, mainly school diploma with a flexible curriculum. government requires all petroleum focusing on partnerships and sustainable Expected to be implemented in 2018, companies operating in Brazil to donate pathways to promote short-term exchanges this cross-disciplinary and competency- a percentage of their income to Brazilian for their students. Consortium-like working oriented model, combined with universities to fund research. groups are being supported in these efforts, English preparation, will better prepare such as the Academic Exchanges prospective candidates for degree- Canada. The fifth largest sender of working group. seeking programs in the United States. international students to the United States (Open Doors 2017), Canada offers Canada has one EducationUSA advising A rising number of private K–12 schools great potential for expansion in student center, based at the Fulbright Commission are implementing bilingual education in exchanges and academic mobility. With in Ottawa. The adviser collaborates with their curriculum to respond to families’ approximately 200 Canadian HEIs and the U.S. embassy and consulates across desire to better prepare their children a 12-percent college-age population, Canada to multiply outreach efforts. to succeed in an increasingly globalized Canadians are seeking opportunities EducationUSA Canada relies actively society. During the past two years, to study across the border. Based on on virtual tools to deliver relevant and more schools have begun offering dual historically low study abroad patterns timely content to interested students. In Brazilian-U.S. high school diplomas. (only 3.1 percent of college students addition, EducationUSA Canada provides The majority of Brazilian students that engage in exchanges), Canadians are training and support to local college receive these diplomas plan to pursue looking for access to diverse academic counselors and coordinates outreach a college degree in the United States, opportunities and specialized programs events open to the public. and EducationUSA advisers have been that are unavailable in Canada. targeting outreach visits to them. Chile. In AY 2016–2017, 2,523 Chilean Canada has the world’s 16th largest students were studying in the United Many Brazilian universities are economy and highest GDP per capita in States, which, according to UNESCO, establishing partnerships to introduce WHA. Its most prominent sectors are: continues to be the leading study U.S. educational models, such as the one services (70.5 percent), industry (28.9 destination for Chileans. Although there between Pontifical Catholic University percent), and agriculture (1.6 percent). was a 17-percent increase in Chilean (PUC) Parana and Kent State University, Canada states that its immigration undergraduates at U.S. HEIs in AY 2015– which will launch the first liberal arts policies should be open and welcoming 2016, the number stayed basically flat dual degree in Brazil. EducationUSA to demonstrate the government’s priority in AY 2016–2017. The nearly 30-percent offers an annual roadshow college fair to increase qualified human capital. increase of students attending two-year circuit, ending in the host city of the large Provincial governments and ministries colleges in AY 2016–2017 is also notable. conference of the Brazilian Association for have resources available for training and At the graduate level, there was a slight International Education (FAUBAI), to help capacity building to strengthen priority decrease in AY 2016–2017 in students facilitate more U.S.-Brazil partnerships. economic sectors. As Canadian HEIs going to the United States. Brazilian universities have increased are generally less expensive than U.S. the number of classes taught in English counterparts, most students considering After four years of discussions, the to attract more international students, U.S. studies are seeking articulation Chilean congress approved the Higher and those with state-of-the-art facilities agreements that include discounts in Education Bill, which will take effect in are research partners in STEM fields, tuition and scholarships. 2018. The new bill mandates free universal

Five Countries of Origin (with over 100 students) with Highest Percentage Growth, International Students in the Region (Five-Year Trend) Country 2012/13 2016/17 %Change

Curaçao 4 118 2,850% Cuba 76 119 56.6% Paraguay 395 587 48.6% 2,850%Curaçao has the largest percentage growth Venezuela 6,158 8,540 38.7% in the region over the last five years(with Bahamas 1,629 2,252 38.2% over 100 students)

68 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov higher education, the modification of students to the United States. Five Countries of Origin the current admissions system, and The number of U.S. study abroad students in the Region with Highest the creation of a higher education in Colombia continues to increase. In AY Per Capita College-Age superintendent and regulates the 2015–2016, there were 828 U.S. students Student Mobility to the accreditation of all HEIs and tuition. studying abroad in Colombia, a 24.7-percent increase from the previous year. United States There are 11 EducationUSA offices in Chile, including a new second office in EducationUSA has 11 centers throughout Santiago inside the BNC. Becas Chile Colombia, making it easier for U.S. scholarships, now administered by universities to recruit students outside the National Commission for Scientific of Bogota. Medium-sized cities such Bermuda and Technological Research in Chile as Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, and (CONICYT), have increased the number College-Age Cartagena are excellent recruitment of students studying in the United destinations, as these cities have quality Population 7.9% States. Since 2008, more than 7,500 local schools and are economically 4,004 scholarships have been awarded at prosperous. EducationUSA centers in the graduate and doctoral levels to Bogota at Colfuturo and Fulbright are study abroad. In November 2017, Becas strategically important, as these two Chile established water resources, institutions support many Colombian natural disaster resilience, and digital graduate students in the United States. transformation as priority areas for their Master’s study abroad scholarship After the Peace Accord was signed program, with a plan to designate 25 in November 2016, the Colombian Bahamas percent of scholarships to applicants government declared education to be a College-Age in those areas. EducationUSA advisers key tool for post-conflict resolution. In Population diligently reach out to university this spirit, Colombia has made efforts 6.8% students in Chile so that they will be to improve access to local higher 33,212 more likely to consider the United States education with programs such as Ser as the destination for their Becas Chile Pilo Paga (Being Studious Pays), a graduate scholarships. government program that provides forgivable student loans on the basis of The United States is the number two merit and need to promote enrollment Dominica destination for Becas Chile Master’s at local universities. students (after the United Kingdom) and College-Age the number three destination for Becas Colombian institutions are advancing 3.9% Population Chile doctoral students (after the United rapidly in terms of internationalization 6,868 Kingdom and Spain). The government and many are ready to enter into broader of Chile continues to support study partnerships. The government of Colombia abroad through Becas Chile (Master’s is working with Colombian universities on and Ph.D. scholarship program) and a campaign called Colombia Challenge English Opens Doors (English pedagogy Your Knowledge to promote Colombia as semester abroad program). In 2017, a study and research destination (www. British Virgin Islands Becas Chile established water resources, challengeyourknowledge.edu.co/index. College-Age natural disaster resilience, and digital 3.8% Population transformation as priority areas for their 1,986 Master’s scholarship program. Colombia. According to UNESCO Regional Student Totals statistics, the United States continues to Top Five Countries of Origin be the main destination for Colombian students, followed by Spain and France. Country 2016/17 % Change Antigua and Barbuda Colombia is ranked 22nd in the world 2015/16 College-Age for student mobility to the United States 2.7% Population (Open Doors 2017). The percentages of Canada 27,065 0.3% 8,479 Colombians pursuing U.S. undergraduate Mexico 16,835 0.6% and graduate studies are now fairly Brazil 13,089 -32.4% equal. STEM fields, business, and law Venezuela 8,540 3.3% are the most popular fields of study for Source: UNESCO Institute of Statistics; Indicator: Colombians who study outside of the Colombia 7,982 2.1% 2015 Population of the official age for tertiary country. Colombia is the 11th top sending education, both sexes country of intensive English language

EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 69 Western Hemisphere php). Policy changes are expected Cuba. Intending visitors should check the the country. toward the end of 2018, as the new latest advisories and regulations prior to Mexico. As reported in the 2017 Open government is formed following the traveling to Cuba. Doors report, approximately 17,000 May presidential election. Mexicans chose the United States as Guatemala. With approximately 16 million their study destination in AY 2016–2017. Cuba. Cuba was the top receiver of U.S. inhabitants, 20 percent of Guatemala’s These students mainly pursued studies study abroad students in the Caribbean population is student age. However, only in business administration, engineering region in AY 2015-2016, with nearly 4,000 two percent of the population has access and STEM, social sciences, physical and students (a 58.6-percent increase from to tertiary education, with the highest life sciences, and fine and applied arts. AY 2014-2015), according to Open Doors. concentration in Guatemala City. In AY There is high interest in programs such as Cuba continues to represent a hot market 2016–2017, 1,217 students enrolled in AY abroad, summer and winter programs, for many U.S. HEIs who seek to establish academic programs on U.S. campuses. ESL programs, research opportunities, study abroad programs and research and internships. exchange opportunities with Cuban Top fields of academic interest for universities. The U.S. embassy in Havana Guatemalan students are engineering, Economic growth has been stable over hosts an EducationUSA center with one education, architecture, and business at the past few years, particularly in sectors part-time adviser. the undergraduate level and business, such as export-oriented automotive sciences, and technology at the graduate and aerospace manufacturing, mining The Cuban government is open to level. Undergraduate students are and metallurgy, petroleum extraction, institutional partnerships, prioritizing interested in athletics, study abroad services, and tourism. Along with faculty exchanges and generally being programs, internships, and experiential economic stability, Mexico has prioritized more supportive of graduate versus learning. Graduate students are focused development in STEM innovation and undergraduate student mobility. In on professional development, internships, entrepreneurship. Energy has taken on AY 2015–2016, the number of Cubans and research options (mainly in STEM). an important role in the national agenda; studying at U.S. HEIs increased by 63 there is a new priority to allocate more percent to 153 but then dropped again in With modest but positive growth, resources, build capacity, and strengthen AY 2016–2017 to 119. Top fields of interest Guatemala’s economy is stable. Top human capital in this sector, thereby for Cuban students pursuing studies in the developing sectors include agriculture, opening a door for training abroad. United States are music, social sciences, manufacturing, textiles, construction, call and STEM subjects. centers, tourism, commerce, and finance. Through the implementation of the Guatemala City is a hub for innovation U.S.-Mexico Bilateral Forum on Higher As infrastructure in Cuba continues and entrepreneurship. The private and Education, Research and Innovation to develop, potential candidates for public sectors support educational (FOBESII), the following milestones have study in the United States still face initiatives such as GuateFuturo, a private- been recorded in support of international challenges related to the application public alliance that provides forgivable education since 2014: process such as limited internet access, loans and scholarships. One-third of the lack of financial tools and mechanisms recipients attend U.S. institutions. • Approximately 20,000 Proyecta to complete specific transactions, 100,000 scholarships in support of difficulty in obtaining and mailing official Local universities are looking for short-term and language-focused transcripts, and limited testing options. international partners to improve their programs have been awarded to U.S. HEIs interested in recruiting Cubans programs, increase student mobility, and Mexican teachers and students have demonstrated great flexibility serve as a destination for U.S. students. • Nearly 1,000 students have engaged in the process and have creatively The U.S. embassy strongly supports in summer research undergraduate accommodated applicants to meet the 100,000 Strong in the Americas opportunities requirements. Institutions committed to Innovation Fund. To date, Universidad de • Almost 2,000 students have recruiting Cuban students also tend to San Carlos de Guatemala and Universidad participated in six-month community provide full funding, as students rarely Rafael Landívar have been awarded college exchanges have access to personal or external Innovation Fund grants under the • Six EducationUSA U.S.-Mexico Academic revenue sources to pay for their education initiative to foster exchanges in Mobility Fairs have taken place, reaching in the United States. the region. more than 15,000 Mexican students in more than ten Mexican states. Cuba presents institutional partnership Guatemala currently has two opportunities. There are 41 universities in EducationUSA advising centers hosted Teacher training is an integral component Cuba, including seven major universities at Instituto Guatemalteco Americano of the bilateral education agenda, most in Havana and at least one large university in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango. recently reflected by the newMexico in each province. The U.S. government One EducationUSA adviser based in en Inglés initiative focusing on English continues to authorize travel to Cuba Guatemala City manages both centers. through teacher colleges (escuelas for educational activities, though as EducationUSA Guatemala collaborates normales), aiming to create 1,000 jobs for of March 2018, the government issued closely with the Guatemala School qualified teachers. a level 3 travel advisory, meaning U.S. Counselors Association (GUASCA), citizens should “reconsider travel” to to support HEI visits and events in Mexican HEIs continue to set

70 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov internationalization education goals. number of parents who recognize the Innovation Fund 2017 grants for Peru Many resources are available and events value of studying in the United States increased interest in internationalization taking place with the objective of building are contributing factors to higher and partnerships with U.S. institutions. capacity for Mexican institutions to host undergraduate numbers. EducationUSA EducationUSA supports local universities more U.S. study abroad students. These has 11 centers across the country, and to develop internationalization strategies initiatives include ECA-funded U.S. study several medium-sized cities hosting these and plans. abroad capacity-building workshops, centers have strong recruitment markets ECA-funded International Visitor for U.S. higher education. Engineering, What to Expect Over the Next Three to programs, U.S. associations’ international business, and law are popular fields of Five Years leaders programs, private sector–funded study for Peruvian students. North and Central America and the visits of Mexican university presidential Caribbean delegations to U.S. institutions, public and Although the Peruvian government’s • EducationUSA Canada’s increased private cost-share for mobility programs, scholarship for graduate studies is now outreach and engagement with local and the establishment of Mexican state for local studies only, Peruvians continue partners, supported by the U.S. embassy consortia in education hub states such to value an international education. The and consulates in Canada, aims to as Jalisco and Puebla. Many public and government is considering the possibility of expand internationalization strategies private institutions allocate resources offering study abroad scholarships to high- in tertiary education. One strategy annually toward meeting the objectives achieving, low-income students selected to is the replication of successful U.S. of FOBESII. All of these investments study at the Colegios de Alto Rendimiento models, including the creation of higher demonstrate the high value that the (known as COAR schools), elite public high education associations, state consortia, Mexican government, private sector, and schools across Peru. EducationUSA advises and bi-national initiatives to advance academia place on U.S. education. many of these students and prepares institutional partnerships between them for success at U.S. HEIs through the Canadian and U.S. HEIs. EducationUSA Mexico has 25 advising Opportunity Funds program. centers covering all regions in the • As workforce development continues to country. In close collaboration with the The 100,000 Strong in the Americas be a priority for most Central American U.S. embassy and nine U.S. consulates, EducationUSA advisers advance U.S. public diplomacy goals by guiding students through the U.S. admissions U.S. Study Abroad process and by preparing them to apply to all relevant U.S. government exchange initiatives. Top Five Receiving Countries in the Region Peru. According to the latest Open Doors report, Peru has had a 9.8-percent Destination 2015/16 % Change increase in undergraduate students studying in the United States and a Costa Rica 9,233 -0.8% 0.8-percent increase in graduate students pursuing studies at U.S. institutions, in the Mexico 5,178 9.9% past year. The percentage of non-degree Argentina 3,846 3.7% students has dropped dramatically (-57.3 Cuba 3,781 58.6% percent) because the government ended Ecuador 3,751 0.1% its scholarship for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers to receive short- term training in the United States.

Spain is the number one study Five Countries (with over 100 students) with Highest destination for Peruvian students, followed by the United States and Italy. Percentage Growth, U.S. Students in the Region The Peruvian government continues to (Five-Year Trend) implement policies to improve English language levels. Inglés Puertas al Mundo Country Name 2011/12 2015/16 % Change is a new government initiative seeking to Colombia 294 828 181.6% double the number of hours of English Cuba 1,454 3,781 160.0% language instruction offered at public high schools nationwide. Panama 730 1,256 72.1% British Virgin Islands 104 159 52.9% Peru has maintained sustainable economic Haiti 454 689 51.8% growth during the past couple of years. A strong economy and an increasing

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countries, interest in short-term virtual education. recession, which will likely decrease certificate programs and partnerships • In June 2017, the U.S. government student mobility over the next few between local technical universities launched Caribbean 2020, a U.S. years. Ecuadorians will continue to be and U.S. community colleges continues interagency strategy for engagement interested in studying abroad though to grow. The objective is to provide in the Caribbean. This strategy includes they will look for more affordable options. vocational education to workers in education as one of six priority areas, Several Asian and European countries emerging industries such as renewable focusing on support for public-private have become popular destinations as energy, tourism, and mining as well as partnerships that facilitate higher foreign governments offer generous traditional economic sectors such as education and workforce development scholarships to Ecuadorians. The recent agriculture, manufacturing, and services. in the United States and the Caribbean decrease of first-time U.S. undergraduate as well as the efforts of U.S. colleges enrollment is partially because it has • T he governments of Mexico and the and universities to recruit qualified become more difficult for students to United States continue to support students from the region; deployment access government-funded student loans. academic exchanges focusing of U.S. academic experts to the region The higher education law in Ecuador resources on short-term preparation, to develop early literacy curricula; and dictates that universities must implement research opportunities, and internship- provision of technical assistance for internationalization initiatives, which based programs. Under the framework education policy training to teachers, means that in the next few years there will of FOBESII, priority is given to policymakers, and civil society. be many opportunities to engage with minorities and underrepresented Ecuador through institutional partnerships populations for support of new South America: Andean Region focused on student mobility and research. program initiatives as well as STEM • Political and economic changes in the fields, with a focus in energy, language region are driving student mobility. • As Colombia enters a period of greater acquisition, and training. All governments continue to prioritize stability following the peace agreement, educational opportunities for their the government will continue to • Public-private partnerships in Mexico citizens; however, the focus for the invest in education, especially at the and Central America continue to be next few years will be on strengthening university level, pushing for more popular models for supporting and local institutions. It is therefore a great internationalization opportunities. sustaining regional academic exchange environment for U.S. institutions to seek Though the country’s economy is initiatives. Mexico is the leading partnerships with local universities. doing well, the continued devaluation participating country in the 100,000 of the peso may have an impact on Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund • Peru is implementing a new law focused the number of students choosing initiative and its institutions, including on improving the quality of HEIs. to study in the United States. The local government and the private Institutions will look for international new government, following the 2018 sector. They seek innovative ways to partnerships to achieve related goals. presidential election, may implement enable exchanges and increase the The local economy is set to continue new higher education initiatives. spectrum of opportunities available to prosper over the near term. Though for Mexican and U.S. students. In the current government scholarship • The next three to five years seem Panama, academia, local government, program is focused on local study likely to continue to be challenging for and the private sector support the opportunities, Peruvians will continue Venezuela. The current economic and Knowledge in Panama initiative, which to have a strong interest in studying political environment will continue to aims to position Panama as the premier abroad, and the United States will drive Venezuelans to send their children study and research destination in the continue to grow in popularity. Political to study abroad. However, the number region. In El Salvador, the U.S. embassy changes could continue to influence of Venezuelans studying in the United has established the 100,000 Strong small shifts in the national education States will likely decrease as it is more Scholarship Fund to increase resources agenda, but all political parties affordable for Venezuelans to migrate to for exchanges, public awareness of identify higher education as a strategic nearby countries in the region. cost-effective options for overseas investment for the country. study, and the strengthening of South America: Southern Cone Salvadoran educational institutions. • Bolivia has maintained healthy economic • For Brazil, political uncertainty in the The fund complements the goals of El growth, and EducationUSA advisers country led to a hold on all federal Salvador’s Partnership for Growth by and the U.S. embassy in La Paz have educational funds for almost one year. investing in human capital and building implemented strong initiatives promoting The government has just announced that long-term institutional strength in U.S. study throughout the country. funds will be given directly to Brazilian education. In Costa Rica, increased Advisers have seen increased interest HEIs, which will select international efforts to develop a qualified workforce across all academic levels in U.S. study, HEI partners. U.S. institutions of higher to meet the demands of multinational a trend that will continue over the next education can expect to receive more companies in-country are creating new couple of years. Limited local higher Brazilian students through already- opportunities for collaboration between education opportunities in Bolivia drive established partnerships with Brazilian non-governmental organizations, the students to look for opportunities abroad. HEIs for the next two years. There will private sector, and academia in support be a new administration in 2019 with of non-traditional exchanges and • Ecuador is in the middle of an economic predicted continued economic growth

72 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov and educational reform in 2018. tools, such as English language skills, applications in the fall. • Argentina is now the leading receiving innovation, and technology. The REAC • EducationUSA Brazil has developed country in South America for U.S. and the U.S. embassy in Uruguay are an online cohort advising program students as a result of the proactive investing in capacity-building workshops that is being reproduced in several efforts of the government and for Uruguayan universities that will cities to support virtual discussions. In HEIs. Many Argentine universities attend international conferences this addition, advisers have developed and have expressed interest in forming year. AASCU is offering workshops implemented a cohort outreach program partnerships with U.S. universities to to Uruguayan and U.S. HEIs to help under which they return to a school or teach Spanish and Latin American them build partnerships for student university three times to meet with a Studies courses to visiting U.S. students. mobility. Uruguayan universities are small cohort of students. During a series The current cabinet will remain in looking to expand their connections to of three cohort sessions, the advisers government for the next three years, U.S. universities, especially in fields of explain how to: 1) choose a university, 2) and most of its members studied in the entrepreneurship and law. Universities fill out the Common Application, and 3) United States. The South America Fair is are interested in increasing study search for financial aid. a great opportunity to recruit Argentine exchanges, dual credit courses, and joint students, capitalizing on several new degree programs. • EducationUSA Bolivia is focusing on government scholarships. outreach and advising through social Virtual and Social Media Usage media to reach a larger audience. • Chile is in the final tagess of an EducationUSA advisers employ social EducationUSA has partnered for a second educational reform, with the goal of media platforms such as Facebook, year with the U.S. embassy in La Paz offering free university education to all YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and blogs. to conduct a nationwide social media students. Aspects of the reform that Advisers use the WhatsApp messaging campaign promoting EducationUSA have already passed into law include application to disseminate information services and study in the United States. a gradual increase of free access to about upcoming events and as a tool for university and postsecondary education cohort advising. Advisers also use Skype • Venezuelans rely heavily on social media for the most vulnerable students and for virtual advising and virtual office for information from U.S. universities. the creation of 15 public postsecondary hours. Facebook event ads and Facebook Internet connectivity issues and local vocational training centers. There is an Live are effective outreach tools in the power outages make virtual activities anticipated increase in undergraduate region. All of these platforms are available challenging. EducationUSA centers host students going to the United States, for universities to promote their programs viewing parties in the early afternoon even though Chile has historically sent and are an effective method to engage to help local students view webinars at more graduate students. with local audiences. The following times when connectivity is more stable. examples highlight virtual initiatives in the • The Ministry of Education in Paraguay WHA region. Successful Recruiting Strategies reached out to the U.S. embassy and • Interact with students through the Regional Educational Advising • E ducationUSA Colombia’s virtual EducationUSA webinars and in-person Coordinator (REAC) for support to adviser, ED, is available 24 hours a presentations at advising centers. expand the number of trainers for day for consultations. ED also has graduate testing in the country so that a mobile application through which • Use alumni to recruit students, but do more students could apply for graduate students begin to plan their studies not underestimate the value of sending admissions at U.S. HEIs. Educational using the EducationUSA Your 5 Steps representatives to build trust and name Testing Service (ETS) offered aPropell to U.S. Study model. Interested U.S. recognition. Consult EducationUSA train the trainers workshop for major institutions can follow ED on social when sending alumni to represent your universities and testing centers in the media and share content. institution. country on how to prepare students for the GRE. More students will be • EducationUSA Mexico continues to • Connect current students on campus coming to the United States next year implement its series of webinars and with potential students from the same under the government’s graduate Facebook Live events, highlighting country to share their experiences (via scholarship program. specific parts of the application process. mobile videos, Skype, webinars, etc.). Recorded webinars and podcasts on • The government of Uruguay has YouTube channels have exponentially • If visiting a major city, consider joining incorporated English and technology increased the views of EducationUSA- other universities recruiting in the into the public curriculum at all levels. produced content. country. High-traffic EducationUSA With government organizations created centers prefer to welcome small groups in the past ten years, such as the • EducationUSA Canada continues to of universities instead of juggling many National Agency for Innovation and rely on technology to reach students. individual visits simultaneously. Research (ANII) and Plan Ceibal (the During summer 2017, Canada hosted organization championing Uruguay’s its first virtual essay writing boot camp • Reach out to EducationUSA advisers national one-laptop-per-child initiative), of four sessions with the objective of from off-the-beaten-track locations. the government of Uruguay is focused helping participants finish their personal Many of these are untapped resources heavily on promoting 21st century statements for submission with college of numerous students interested

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in STEM fields. The City of Buenos Aires Magistrates’ Council awards five LLM scholarships through Fulbright. The National Funds for the Arts in Argentina created five scholarships for outstanding artists on short-term programs, and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) funds postdoctoral research grants (www. argentina.gob.ar/becar/en).

• Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barbuda offer a government-funded grant of approximately USD$5,000 annually as well as low-interest loans to students pursuing tertiary-level studies, including online study at the in studying in the United States. degree programs. undergraduate and graduate levels. EducationUSA REACs and advisers can • Send U.S. interns to EducationUSA help identify these locations. advising offices to help advisers with • The Bahamas. The Lyford Cay local projects. Foundation scholarships are generally • Distribute materials in local languages: worth as much as USD$15,000 per AY. Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, • Explore institution-wide partnerships In addition, the Ministry of Education and Dutch. that go beyond recruiting students. of the Bahamas has implemented a Institutions in several countries in the tiered system to award grants and merit • Highlight anecdotes of institutional region have internationalization goals scholarships ranging from USD$7,500 to support, programs, and services that and mandates, and many are ready to USD$35,000 for study abroad. might be of interest to students from enter into broader partnerships, such as the region, especially related to culture, faculty exchanges, research or internship • Barbados. The Barbados Scholarships history, politics, sports, food, and the arts. programs, and group study abroad for and Exhibitions are merit-based both inbound and outbound students. undergraduate scholarships awarded • Request an HEI login to the to approximately 30 students with very EducationUSA website and find out • Stay abreast of regional EducationUSA high scores on the Caribbean Advanced about conferences in the region that can events. Check the EducationUSA Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) or be integral to student recruitment and website and country Facebook pages in an Associate’s degree program at the establishment of partnerships. to find current region- and country- the Barbados Community College. The specific information about upcoming scholarship pays for tuition, airfare, and • Use local-language websites to attract fairs, webinars, and other events and a small stipend of about USD$3,500 students from government scholarship activities. Contact the appropriate REAC per year for study at home or abroad. programs. for specific activity information, such In addition, the National Development as beginner adviser trainings, thematic Scholarships provide approximately • International schools have often been sub-regional workshops, and capacity- ten scholarships each year in various the focus of recruitment efforts, but building workshops for local HEIs. disciplines to people between the ages U.S. universities have recently begun of 18 and 40 who have already been to recruit qualified students from Foreign Government and Private Funding accepted at an internationally accredited prominent national schools as well. • Argentina. In 2017, the Ministry of university at the undergraduate or Education’s Department of International postgraduate level. • Stay informed about faculty-led study Scholarships and International abroad programs at your institution. Cooperation (DGCIN) funded 1,000 • Bolivia. In 2014, the Bolivian government Ask professors and students to stop by scholarships to the United States, launched a scholarship program called EducationUSA advising centers to meet including 50 Master’s degree students Soberanía for pursuing graduate studies local students and share experiences of and Ph.D. candidates, 100 research at top international universities. In 2018, being a student at your institution. grants, 300 Friends of Fulbright the government added eligible fields of participants, and 400 teachers and study for this scholarship, in addition • Become familiar with existing principals for short-term courses. Fifteen to STEM fields, including medicine and institutional agreements between U.S. U.S. HEIs are now hosting Friends of law. The scholarship covers all costs, institutions and those of the countries of Fulbright students, and EducationUSA including, in some cases, local costs of interest for recruiting. organizes pre-departure orientations language preparation. One challenge is for these students. The government that the scholarship award dates are not • Be aware that short-term programs also funds BEC.AR, 30 scholarships for synced with the deadlines for accepting motivate students to return for full- Master’s program and research grants admissions offers from U.S. universities.

74 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov The Ministry of Education is looking for their Master’s scholarship program. year to the student who has earned partnerships with HEIs to implement Other Chilean government scholarships the highest score on CAPE. In addition, the scholarship more effectively (www. include English Open Doors, which funds the Dominica government awards minedu.gob.bo/index.php/programa- a semester abroad for students pursuing approximately five scholarships annually 100-becas). degrees in English pedagogy, and Becas to the best student in each of the five Para Tecnicos, a program for technicians faculties of the Dominica State College. • Brazil. Although the Brazilian government specializing in the field of mining to has discontinued the federal scholarship study abroad for as long as 12 months • The Dominican Republic. The Ministry program known as the Brazil Scientific (www.becaschile.cl/). of Higher Education, Science, and Mobility Program, the government has Technology (MESCyT) continues to launched the International CAPES PrInt • Colombia. The foundation COLFUTURO support study abroad at graduate Programme. This initiative provides (www.colfuturo.org) offers scholarship- education levels, with seven percent approximately USD$100 million for the loan opportunities to qualified Colombian of all applicants choosing the United next four years for higher education and graduate students to study abroad. States as their study destination. research institutions to fund scholarships COLFUTURO also administers the Priority fields for MESCyT are Master’s abroad for one-year doctoral research COLCIENCIAS program, which provides and Doctorate degrees in the following programs, senior visiting professors, and funding for doctoral degrees abroad in areas: engineering, basic sciences, short-term professional development science, technology, and engineering public health, education, agriculture, programs. Funding will also include fields.Passport to Science, one of the food, and animal sciences. The ministry short-term scholarships for programs in components of a larger Colombian seeks to develop partnerships to Brazil targeted at international visiting government initiative called Colombia establish articulation agreements with scholars, young talent, and postdoctoral Cientifica (colombiacientifica.gov.co/ U.S. research-focused universities professionals with experience abroad. colombia/en/) has scholarship-loan that offer in-state tuition for scholars U.S. HEIs should look to their Brazilian opportunities for Colombians to study at from the Dominican Republic (mescyt. university partners or establish the Master’s and Doctorate levels abroad gob.do/index.php/programa-de- partnerships, as Brazilian universities are in critical fields: health; agriculture and becas/becas-internacionales). INICIA the ones to submit and receive the grants food safety; energy, mines, and sustainable EDUCACIÓN provides scholarships to from the Brazilian government (www. development; environment, biodiversity, Dominican educators, administrators, capes.gov.br/cooperacao-internacional/ and biotechnology; engineering and and professionals for Master’s degrees multinacional/programa-institucional- materials; and social sciences for post- in education-related fields at top-ranked de-internacionalizacao-capes-print). conflict. The Colombian institution ICETEX programs (www.iniciaeducacion.org). The Fulbright Commission in Brazil is (www.icetex.gov.co) provides educational working with CAPES to expand Fulbright’s loans for undergraduate and graduate • Ecuador. The National Secretariat professional development support for study within Colombia and graduate of Higher Education, Science, public school teachers and has sent more study abroad. The Fulbright Commission and Technology (SENESCYT) than 1,000 teachers to U.S. HEIs for one- in Colombia has several local partnerships (programasbecas.educacionsuperior. month teacher training programs. that have increased the number of gob.ec/) continues to provide study Fulbright grants available for graduate abroad opportunities for both graduate • Canada. The Killam Fellowships studies in the United States. and undergraduate studies, though Program administered by the Fulbright scholarship opportunities have been Commission provides an opportunity • Costa Rica. The Costa Rica-USA reduced. Convocatoria Abierta 2017 for exceptional undergraduate students Foundation (CRUSA), with World Bank and Universidades de Excelencia, the from universities in Canada to spend one and local HEI collaboration, supports two main scholarship programs for semester or a full academic year as an international exchange and student graduate studies are on hold, indefinitely. exchange student in the United States. mobility initiatives, mainly at the These programs have lists of eligible This program provides a cash award of graduate level in STEM fields, including international universities, including a USD$5,000 per semester (USD$10,000 the Opportunity Funds program. In small number of U.S. institutions, though for the full AY). 2017, CRUSA launched a pilot program the revised lists give priority to Asia and in partnership with the BNC Centro Europe. Grupo de Alto Rendimiento is a • Chile. Becas Chile is a government Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano program available for a small selection scholarship now administered by and its EducationUSA center to support of economically disadvantaged public CONICYT. Since 2008, more than technical and vocational education school students to pursue undergraduate 7,500 scholarships have been awarded through community colleges. This studies in Ecuador or abroad. to Chilean students and residents at five-year initiative will support 33 the graduate and doctoral levels to Costa Ricans, awarding USD$40,000 • Guatemala. GuateFuturo offers loans study abroad. In 2017, approximately on average, per student, for a two-year of as much as USD$50,000 for Master’s 18 percent of awardees pursued their period (www.crusa.cr/programa-becas- programs. Students may be awarded studies in the United States. Becas Chile tecnicos-especializados/). scholarships for 50 percent of the recently established water resources, loaned amount provided they comply natural disaster resilience, and digital • Dominica. The Dominica government with three requirements: 1) be awarded transformation as priority areas for awards one Island Scholarship each their postgraduate degree, 2) return to

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Guatemala, and 3) remain in the country to managing the traditional Fulbright Crédito-Beca Reto Excelencia-SERVIR for three to five years. Students can also exchanges). The government sends (www.retoexcelencia.gob.pe/) is a loan- obtain an additional 10-percent discount graduate students mainly via the Fulbright scholarship program for public servants to if, upon returning to the country, they Commission and the National Council of pursue graduate studies abroad. engage in employment for one year Science and Technology. in the public sector or as teachers • Uruguay. The government of Uruguay or researchers in public or private • Panama. The Panamanian government helps to identify or nominate candidates institutions. Those pursuing Master’s announced its Panama Bilingue initiative for U.S. embassy exchange programs, degrees in management or Master in 2014 with the goal of supporting 10,000 and in recent years, has become a strong of Business Administration (MBA) English language teachers in teacher contributor to Fulbright academic programs are awarded only 25 percent training programs in an effort to increase programs. Every year, ANII funds Fulbright of the loan amount as a scholarship. the quality of English instruction in public scholarships to U.S. institutions to earn schools by 2019. To date, approximately Master’s degrees or Ph.D.s in subjects such • Honduras. The government of Honduras’ 3,000 Panamanian English teachers have as biotechnology, health, energy, agro- Becas Honduras 20/20 funds graduate traveled abroad to participate in two- to industry and food chain development, studies abroad through the International four-month programs, and another 3,000 natural resources, and information and Graduate Scholarships Program initiative have benefitted from similar programs communication technologies (www. (becashonduras2020.gob.hn). In 2017, locally in Panama. The Panamanian fulbright.org.uy/becas-para-uruguayos/ approximately 120 Honduran students government expects 1,000 more teachers beca-de-posgrado/). received awards to cover airfare, to travel during 2018 (panamabilingue. lodging and maintenance, tuition and com). The National Secretariat of Science • Organization of American States (OAS). fees, medical insurance, and materials. Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) Students from member countries are Priority fields of study for this program administers several scholarship programs eligible for Rowe Fund loans (www. are agriculture, environmental sciences, at the undergraduate and graduate levels oas.org/en/rowefund/). These interest- engineering, economics, business in a wide range of fields, including a free loans are available at the graduate administration, and health sciences Fulbright-SENACYT scholarship. IFARHU, level throughout the region and for (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and a Panamanian government institution undergraduate studies for English- biology). HONDUFUTURO offers loans designed to develop human capital speaking Caribbean countries. The Rowe of as much as USD$50,000. Students through education, offers loans of as much Fund offers EducationUSA Opportunity may be awarded scholarships for 50 as USD$80,000 to support completion of Funds students from Argentina, percent of the loan amount, provided undergraduate and graduate programs Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, they meet three requirements: 1) be abroad as well as scholarships to complete El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, awarded their postgraduate degree, 2) short-term, intensive language training Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and return to Honduras, and 3) remain and and undergraduate and graduate degrees Venezuela the opportunity to apply for work in the country for three to five (www.ifarhu.gob.pa). this loan without the need for a cosigner. years. Students can obtain an additional ten percent discount if, upon returning to • Paraguay. In 2015, the Paraguayan Regional EducationUSA Events the country, they engage in employment government launched its first Rely on the EducationUSA website and for one consecutive year as teachers scholarship program, Becas Don Carlos country Facebook pages to find current in local universities. Those pursuing Antonio Lopez (www.becal.gov.py/). country-specific information about Master’s degrees in management or MBA This program funds as many as 1,500 upcoming fairs, webinars, center events, programs are awarded only 25 percent of scholarships for Master’s and Doctorate and other activities and events. Contact the loan amount as a scholarship. degrees in education and STEM fields for the appropriate REAC for the area in which students accepted to the top 300 world you are interested in participating, such as • Mexico. The government of Mexico’s universities or top 100 higher education beginner adviser trainings, thematic sub- Proyecta 100,000 initiative continues to programs, according to three university regional workshops, and capacity building support programs focused on short-term rankings. In addition to the government workshops for local HEIs. exchanges, research, language acquisition, scholarships, the U.S. embassy in and teacher training. The U.S. embassy Paraguay administers the Fulbright Fairs and Conferences in Mexico, with support from local higher program with Master’s scholarships and • Brazil. EducationUSA organizes education associations and in partnership other exchange programs. the Brazil Roadshow to seven cities with HEIs, has been offering a series of every spring, immediately before or short-term programs focused on women • Peru. PRONABEC is Peru’s government after Brazil’s premiere international and minority empowerment as well as agency for scholarship programs and education conference FAUBAI. This workforce development. The Fulbright manages Beca Presidente de la República. tour is a great opportunity to recruit Commission in Mexico, COMEXUS, The scholarship covers Master’s and students and meet key leaders in supports non-Fulbright innovative Doctorate studies in STEM, public policy, internationalization and to establish short-term programs in support of and education. Recently, the focus of this partnerships. In 2017, the Roadshow undergraduate research, teacher training, scholarship has been redirected to fund reached more than 8,500 students. and professional internships, both in studies only in Peru (www.pronabec.gob. Mexico and the United States (in addition pe/2018_becas_pronabec.php). Programa • Canada. EducationUSA Canada

76 EducationUSA • GLOBAL GUIDE 2018 EducationUSA.state.gov The Global Guide is a publication of the U.S. Department of State’sWestern EducationUSA Hemisphere Global Advising Network, produced by the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE) under a cooperative agreement.Guatemala, Unless and otherwise 3) remain noted, in the student country mobility to managing statistics the traditional Fulbright Crédito-Beca Reto Excelencia-SERVIR organizes a monthly webinar series Workshops. EducationUSA Canada, Chile, difficult for U.S. university recruiters to are drawnfor three from to the five 2017 years. Open Students Doors Reportcan also on Internationalexchanges). The government sends (www.retoexcelencia.gob.pe/) is a loan- highlighting the application process and Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Mexico visit the country, EducationUSA has come Educationalobtain anExchange, additional produced 10-percent by IIEdiscount and sponsored graduate by the students mainly via the Fulbright scholarship program for public servants to opportunities in the United States. organize training workshops on U.S. higher up with this creative way to educate the U.S. Departmentif, upon returning of State. to the country, they Commission and the National Council of pursue graduate studies abroad. education for high school counselors. public about U.S. higher education while engage in employment for one year Science and Technology. • Caribbean. Aside from traditional giving their English language students in the public sector or as teachers • Uruguay. The government of Uruguay independently organized Caribbean • LLM Fair. In 2017, EducationUSA had a challenging and engaging project. or researchers in public or private • Panama. The Panamanian government helps to identify or nominate candidates college fairs, EducationUSA Antigua, its first South America LLM Fair circuit EducationUSA advisers train English institutions. Those pursuing Master’s announced its Panama Bilingue initiative for U.S. embassy exchange programs, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, to seven cities and five countries: students from local BNCs how to research degrees in management or Master in 2014 with the goal of supporting 10,000 and in recent years, has become a strong Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago host Rio, Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and represent U.S. colleges or universities of Business Administration (MBA) English language teachers in teacher contributor to Fulbright academic fairs. The next Caribbean fair circuit will Santiago, Lima, and Bogota. The at these fairs for which U.S. institutions are programs are awarded only 25 percent training programs in an effort to increase programs. Every year, ANII funds Fulbright take place in October 2018. inaugural event included 42 U.S. HEIs encouraged to send materials. of the loan amount as a scholarship. the quality of English instruction in public scholarships to U.S. institutions to earn and attracted approximately 1,500 schools by 2019. To date, approximately Master’s degrees or Ph.D.s in subjects such • Colombia STEM Tour. In March 2018, visitors. The fall 2018 second annual LLM U.S. Study Abroad • Honduras. The government of Honduras’ 3,000 Panamanian English teachers have as biotechnology, health, energy, agro- EducationUSA Colombia organized fair will expand to additional countries. Costa Rica continues to be the region’s Becas Honduras 20/20 funds graduate traveled abroad to participate in two- to industry and food chain development, the second annual EducationUSA top receiving country with 9,233 U.S. studies abroad through the International four-month programs, and another 3,000 natural resources, and information and STEM Tour. With stops in five cities, • Community College Fair Circuit. In students in 2016 (a 3.8-percent increase Graduate Scholarships Program initiative have benefitted from similar programs communication technologies (www. the tour promotes both graduate and November 2018, EducationUSA will from 2015), making it the ninth most (becashonduras2020.gob.hn). In 2017, locally in Panama. The Panamanian fulbright.org.uy/becas-para-uruguayos/ undergraduate programs in STEM. In be piloting a Community College Fair popular study abroad destination approximately 120 Honduran students government expects 1,000 more teachers beca-de-posgrado/). addition to participating in a fair in Circuit in five cities in South America worldwide for U.S. students. Mexico, received awards to cover airfare, to travel during 2018 (panamabilingue. each of the cities, representatives visit during International Education Week. Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil lodging and maintenance, tuition and com). The National Secretariat of Science • Organization of American States (OAS). local high schools and universities are also leading host destinations in fees, medical insurance, and materials. Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) Students from member countries are and take part in cultural events. For • Mexico. EducationUSA and COMEXUS the region, ranked globally 12th, 16th, Priority fields of study for this program administers several scholarship programs eligible for Rowe Fund loans (www. more information, please contact will continue to host the U.S.-Mexico 19th, 22nd, and 24th, respectively. are agriculture, environmental sciences, at the undergraduate and graduate levels oas.org/en/rowefund/). These interest- [email protected]. Academic Mobility Fair in October 2018 to Other rapidly growing destinations for engineering, economics, business in a wide range of fields, including a free loans are available at the graduate five cities: Guadalajara, Monterrey, Merida, Americans studying abroad include administration, and health sciences Fulbright-SENACYT scholarship. IFARHU, level throughout the region and for • Costa Rica. EducationUSA Costa Rica Queretaro, and Mexico City. These multi- Colombia and Paraguay in South (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and a Panamanian government institution undergraduate studies for English- hosts its annual EducationUSA camp city circuits attract approximately 4,000 America; Honduras, Nicaragua, and biology). HONDUFUTURO offers loans designed to develop human capital speaking Caribbean countries. The Rowe supported by the U.S. embassy. The students each year. In fall 2018, Guatemala Panama in Central America; Canada in of as much as USD$50,000. Students through education, offers loans of as much Fund offers EducationUSA Opportunity program trains students on essay City will be joining the circuit as the sixth North America; and the Bahamas, Cuba, may be awarded scholarships for 50 as USD$80,000 to support completion of Funds students from Argentina, writing, provides testing practice, and stop on the tour. and Haiti in the Caribbean. percent of the loan amount, provided undergraduate and graduate programs Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, teaches them how to search for colleges they meet three requirements: 1) be abroad as well as scholarships to complete El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, that fit their needs. • South America. The 2017 South America In 2018, the U.S. embassy in Quito, awarded their postgraduate degree, 2) short-term, intensive language training Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and EducationUSA fair circuit attracted Fulbright Ecuador, and EducationUSA are return to Honduras, and 3) remain and and undergraduate and graduate degrees Venezuela the opportunity to apply for • Ecuador. The EducationUSA center in 97 colleges and universities traveling organizing a series of capacity-building work in the country for three to five (www.ifarhu.gob.pa). this loan without the need for a cosigner. Cuenca organizes a fair for U.S. higher through 12 cities, with more than 35,000 workshops through the newly developed years. Students can obtain an additional education representatives recruiting students in attendance. The 2018 network of Ecuadorian universities, Red ten percent discount if, upon returning to • Paraguay. In 2015, the Paraguayan Regional EducationUSA Events in the region and U.S. universities with South America EducationUSA Tour will Ecuatoriana para la Internacionalizacion the country, they engage in employment government launched its first Rely on the EducationUSA website and study abroad programs in Ecuador every take place August 27–September 20. de la Educacion Superior (REIES), as local for one consecutive year as teachers scholarship program, Becas Don Carlos country Facebook pages to find current January. The goal is to promote U.S. (educationusafair.org/university). universities are looking for resources to in local universities. Those pursuing Antonio Lopez (www.becal.gov.py/). country-specific information about studies in the southern part of Ecuador, help their internationalization efforts. Master’s degrees in management or MBA This program funds as many as 1,500 upcoming fairs, webinars, center events, collaborating with study abroad • Venezuela. EducationUSA Venezuela programs are awarded only 25 percent of scholarships for Master’s and Doctorate and other activities and events. Contact initiatives in Ecuador. offers EducationUSA Mock Fairs in all four Increased mobility from the United the loan amount as a scholarship. degrees in education and STEM fields for the appropriate REAC for the area in which centers across the country. As political States to the Caribbean (22.9 percent) students accepted to the top 300 world you are interested in participating, such as • High School Counselor Training and economic conditions have made it is the result of faculty-led programs and • Mexico. The government of Mexico’s universities or top 100 higher education beginner adviser trainings, thematic sub- established exchanges, many focusing Proyecta 100,000 initiative continues to programs, according to three university regional workshops, and capacity building on health-related fields as well as gender support programs focused on short-term rankings. In addition to the government workshops for local HEIs. and social issues. The leading receiving exchanges, research, language acquisition, scholarships, the U.S. embassy in Best and Worst Times of the Year to Interact with countries include the Bahamas, Cuba, and teacher training. The U.S. embassy Paraguay administers the Fulbright Fairs and Conferences Students (Face to Face and Virtually) Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. in Mexico, with support from local higher program with Master’s scholarships and • Brazil. EducationUSA organizes education associations and in partnership other exchange programs. the Brazil Roadshow to seven cities The academic calendar in WHA varies greatly. In Northern Hemisphere In 2017, U.S. embassies and Fulbright with HEIs, has been offering a series of every spring, immediately before or countries, the academic year runs from August, September, or October to May, Commissions in Argentina, Canada, short-term programs focused on women • Peru. PRONABEC is Peru’s government after Brazil’s premiere international June, or July. In Southern Hemisphere countries, the school year aligns more Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, and minority empowerment as well as agency for scholarship programs and education conference FAUBAI. This closely with the calendar year, running from February or March to November Honduras, and Nicaragua received grants workforce development. The Fulbright manages Beca Presidente de la República. tour is a great opportunity to recruit or December. However, a few countries have varied academic years, based on from the USA Study Abroad Branch at Commission in Mexico, COMEXUS, The scholarship covers Master’s and students and meet key leaders in the region. Avoid traveling during Christmas, New Year, and region-specific the U.S. Department of State to carry out supports non-Fulbright innovative Doctorate studies in STEM, public policy, internationalization and to establish festivities such as Carnival, Holy Week, and All Saints Day/Day of the Dead. capacity-building projects to promote U.S. short-term programs in support of and education. Recently, the focus of this partnerships. In 2017, the Roadshow Specifically, the recommended times to visit Canada are fall and spring, and study abroad in the region. EducationUSA undergraduate research, teacher training, scholarship has been redirected to fund reached more than 8,500 students. the best time to recruit in Guatemala is the spring. Check with REACs before centers have collaborated with local and professional internships, both in studies only in Peru (www.pronabec.gob. planning a trip to avoid visiting during local holidays. universities, embassies, and Fulbright Mexico and the United States (in addition pe/2018_becas_pronabec.php). Programa • Canada. EducationUSA Canada Commissions to support these initiatives.

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