As an increasing number of activities have transitioned online during the last few months, so too has the field of international student recruitment. BCCIE recently joined two EduCanada Virtual Fairs, Latin America and the Caribbean and Central Asia and Eastern Europe, under the Study in British Columbia (SIBC) brand to promote study opportunities to prospective international students.

Working in collaboration with the Trade Commissioner Service, BCCIE connected via text and video over a 4-hour period with highly motivated students in both regions.

More than 6,000 visitors participated in the Latin America and Caribbean fair. The top five countries in attendance were: Mexico (1,410), Colombia (1,025), Peru (822), Brazil (785), and Ecuador (567). At the Central Asia and Eastern Europe fair, 72 percent of visitors (2,166) were from Turkey, Russia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Poland.

28 exhibitors from BC’s K-12, post-secondary, and language sectors participated in the two fairs, which provided an excellent opportunity for BC institutions to interface with prospective students and parents to further develop their recruitment strategies in innovative ways.

At the SIBC booth, BCCIE hosted almost 1,800 visitors and helped to answer questions related to living costs in BC, application requirements, programs, and scholarships. BCCIE also helped to guide prospective towards BC exhibitors and online portals/resources. Through BCCIE’s participation, SIBC branding was delivered to thousands of prospective students in support of the BC education sector.