What German institutions can learn when it comes to onboarding of international students

or how to manage expectations

Post für Graduate Recruiter verfasst am 14. Januar 2019

Why Germany isn't doing very well in winning international students

As a matter of fact 42% of all international students studying in Germany in 2016 recommended other students a study in Germany. So Germany is still one of the most attractive places for higher education on an international scale. Students associate German qualifications with high quality. Which means German institutions do as good as international universities in terms of learning facilities and learning satisfaction. On an international scale Germany is also doing very well in terms of living conditions especially concerning the low living costs. So with all these factors in mind one can ask, which area is the most important one to improve their offer to reach a top level internationally when it comes to student recruitment?

There is nothing unprofessional about supporting students

As the actual International Student Barometer shows German institutions should invest more effort in welcoming services for international students like visa advice, support with regard to accommodation services, etc. As a student from Israel put it: "Stop treating students as if they are a nuisance and deserve a plunge into cold water'. There is nothing unprofessional about offering help/compassion." Also to support international students by connecting them to domestic students and taking part in social activities is another basic factor to enhance international study experience. At the same time universities should be aware of the fact that the number one reason why students decide for a study in Germany is the access to the German job market. In this context universities should provide students with information on how to get a job or an internship or foster the employability in the students curriculum.

Manage expectations to enhance effectiveness of recruitment strategies

To provide information about their international study is crucial for universities nowadays. Take students accommodation as an example for supporting international students with relevant facts. In this context it is not important to cover every aspect of a students life abroad. But institutions should at least provide them with sufficient info about where to get them on topics that are or will become relevant during their stay abroad. For students it is not that important who is e.g. responsible for organising accommodation, social activities, internships etc. The key factor is to provide them with the info on how to help themselves or how to get in touch with the persons responsible for these things. This also means to support them by passing by the language barrier. No matter what German universities provide information about e.g. housing or not, students satisfaction level raises compared to the level transparent info is provided. In other words the better students know what to expect and not to expect from a university in the moment of arrival before or beyond this point the higher their satisfaction level rises. This factor massively influences the recommendation former students give to their mates at home which at the time enhances the effectiveness of recruitment strategies.