Seminar Programme ICEF Miami (Latin America) 2024

This session will provide educators with a step-by-step guide on how to make the most out of their participation at ICEF events in general and ICEF Miami in particular. The session will cover the following topics: - How to maximise your time during the event - Post-event follow-up and agent contracts - How to maximise your working relationship with providers and agents

This seminar, designed for international recruitment agents, highlights the pivotal role of US STEM higher education in driving Latin America’s growth. Discover how STEM programs equip students with skills to foster innovation and progress in their home countries. Gain insights into market trends, recruitment strategies, and the transformative potential of connecting Latin American talent with US institutions.

How can institutions and agencies collaborate effectively in the ever-changing landscape of international student recruitment? This interactive session invites participants to explore common obstacles, from onboarding new partnerships to adapting to evolving requirements. Attendees will share experiences, uncover insights, and contribute to a collective pool of best practices. Join us to connect with peers and leave with actionable strategies to enhance your recruitment partnerships.

Latin American students increasingly seek affordable programs with clear career outcomes. They prioritise education that combines academic excellence with pathways to employment, both during and after their studies. Hybrid professional programs offer a unique solution, allowing students to work while earning their degrees, enhancing employability, and increasing their chances of staying in the U.S. post-graduation. This presentation will explore how Latin American education agencies can leverage these programs to meet student demands, boost ROI, and stand out in a competitive market with innovative, results-driven solutions.

Valencia, Spain, is a prime destination for international students seeking high-quality education with strong career prospects. Study in Valencia Group focuses on academic programs aligned with the region's economic strengths, particularly in tourism and gastronomy, which represent 20% of Valencia's GDP. These fields offer exceptional opportunities for professional growth and employability. Valencia distinguishes itself not as a tourist destination, but as a hub for education and career development. Our programs are designed to equip students with the skills needed to excel in competitive industries, ensuring a pathway to success. Valencia offers not just an education, but a launchpad for building a fulfilling and prosperous future. In this session, Vicente will explain how Valencia offers not just an education, but a launchpad for building a fulfilling and prosperous future.

The number of Latin American students exploring education abroad is growing, as is the number of destinations they can consider. With their distinct cultures and education systems, each destination offers its own unique set of factors and characteristics to consider, providing prospective students with a wide variety of options to choose from. In this session, we will take a look at three destinations in particular: Germany, Spain, and Poland. Germany for example, historically a top global study choice, attracts nearly 380,000 international students with its renowned academic quality and career opportunities​. Spain, with over 224,000 international students, offers Latin American students a familiar language and a rich cultural setting​. Poland, while a relatively new destination for Latin American students, offers affordable education, a rich history, and a strategic location in Europe. In this panel, education providers from each of these countries will discuss how their destination creates a welcoming and supportive environment specifically for Latin American students. Join us to explore the academic, cultural, and professional benefits that Germany, Spain, and Poland have to offer, and how this resonates with international students.

With a population of around 218 million, Brazil is the seventh most populous country in the world, with 44% under the age of 30. Despite its powerful economy, the country lags behind in key areas such as productivity and competitiveness (especially in the digital arena), while high youth unemployment is also an issue. With these issues blamed, at least in part, on the country’s education system, there is strong demand for international study opportunities. In this session, Maura de Araujo Leão (BELTA) provides an in-depth look into this high-potential market, with insights into market trends, popular destinations and, in particular, what Brazilian students would like to achieve with their studies. Additionally, the session will provide practical tips for forming long-lasting and profitable partnerships with agencies.

Latin America is a vibrant region with a growing demand for international education, offering unique opportunities for student recruitment. In this dynamic interview-style session, two expert panellists will uncover the motivations driving Latin American students to study abroad, the key media platforms shaping their decisions, and the outreach strategies that yield the best results. Attendees will learn how to craft impactful marketing messages to connect authentically with this diverse and aspirational audience.

One of the fastest growing sending markets for Canada, the US, and Australia, Colombia offers vast potential for international student recruitment professionals. With prospective students from the country favouring both English Language programmes and, increasingly, degree-level studies, tens of thousands of Colombian students already travel abroad each year. With a range of challenges having emerged in the last twelve months, including the policy decisions in key destinations that have made it more challenging to gain a visa, this session looks at the opportunities available to recruiters looking to expand their reach in this fast-growing market. Join Adriana Peñuela to learn more about top study programmes for Colombian students, alternative study destinations, and practical advice on how to support Colombian students at your institution.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the latest ICEF Agent Voice survey results, offering valuable insights into current trends in student recruitment. Key topics covered for 2024: - Recruitment expectations & Decision-making factors - Student interest & Visa approval rates - Employability factors - Enrolment challenges & Institutional support - Online programmes - Agency operations & Remuneration The ICEF Agent Voice survey is conducted annually with ICEF-screened agents from over 100 countries. The survey stands out for its frequency, extensive reach, and detailed insights, comparing the perspectives of agents worldwide. It provides fresh insights into how agents are adapting to and addressing global challenges.

Located in the southern portion of North America, Mexico has historically seen high volumes of students travelling to Canada and the United States. However, with a number of key study destinations, including Canada, enacting more restrictive visa policies, the market has become increasingly competitive, with alternative study destinations vying for students from the region. Considering the latest trends affecting the recruitment market in Mexico, Luz de María León Campos will provide an update on the latest opportunities and challenges, as well as tangible takeaways that will help you to increase your footprint in this rapidly expanding market segment.

Welcome to an interactive session which will open the floor to education agents as they share their unfiltered perspectives on Canada as a study destination. Open to agents and institutions alike, attendees will be encouraged to share their opinion and hear firsthand insights on what draws students to Canada, the challenges they face, and what agents believe could make Canada even more attractive to international students. Attendees will be invited to discuss the factors that shape their recommendations, from academic opportunities and cultural appeal to practical concerns like visa processes, post-graduate work opportunities. Agents will also share what they value when communicating with institutions and what encourages them to keep a partnership going. This session aims to gather valuable insights from agents' experiences, perceptions, and advice for Canadian institutions looking to build stronger, more effective partnerships with global representatives. This honest exchange will be an essential opportunity for anyone recruiting students for Canadian institutions.

As distinct from a panel session or keynote, the roundtables provide a space for a less-structured discussion but with guidance from an informed specialist. To provide that guidance, each table is led by a host whose role is to moderate and animate the discussion around the topic at hand. - There will be two sittings of all tables, each lasting 40 minutes. The first begins at 17:30; the second at 18:15. Roundtables' topics: 1. What do Mexican teenagers expect from international education? - Roberto Carmona 2. IFARHU: Empowering Panama’s future - Jaime Díaz 3. Is finance the missing link to expanding educational equity for the Dominican Republic students? - Tatsiana Pachkouskaya 4. Charting new horizons: Motivational factors driving Bahamian and Caribbean education abroad - Joelle Johnson 5. Growing enrolments without policy concerns: The potential of online degrees - Martijn van de Veen 6. International mobility scholarships and social development in Latin America - Dr Geovanna Campos 7. Is the k-12 market from Latin America growing and what are preferences regarding private vs public and boarding vs homestay? - Sarah Rimini 8. Dispelling the myths about onshore agents - Brendan McGerty