The Cambridge Insider Podcast

International education, a once $15 billion dollar industry is at risk of serious decline. This industry not only provides significant funding for American schools but it also attracts elite talent to the U.S. from around the world. The Hill Article: https://thehill.com/opinion/education/567446-can-biden-reframe-us-international-education Join hosts Leanna and Stephen for an informative discussion...

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, some international students are still unable to get their visas to study abroad. What can schools do about this, and how can students remain engaged in their studies if they’re set to arrive late to school? Times of India Article: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/classes-starting-but-international-students-failing-to-get-us-visas/articleshow/85559453.cms...

We all know that studying abroad can be challenging, however, when students set out to meet this challenge with the help of a homestay provider, they may also receive much-needed support to help them through. In addition to a dedicated host family coordinator, Cambridge Network also makes use of this one special role to ensure students’ well-being. Join hosts Leanna and Stephen and special guest C...

One of the most basic human needs is that of a connection to people, or a community; this creates a sense of belonging. For international students studying thousands of miles from their home countries, this is not very easy to do. This episode goes into tips on how students may gradually build up meaningful friendships and connections in a foreign land. Study International Article: How to make fri...

Is in-person learning safe? Is it possible for students to still do hybrid learning? This episode discusses the evolving learning plans for our schools in Fall of 2021. Reuters Article: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/cdc-recommends-masking-indoors-unvaccinated-students-teachers-us-schools-2021-07-09/ NJ.com Article: https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2021/03/nj-covid-updates-no-remote-option-fo...

The Delta Variant of COVID-19 is indeed more transmissible, and could cause hyper-local outbreaks, but does that mean that international students should reconsider traveling to the U.S. to study abroad? Yale Medicine Article:  5 Things To Know About the Delta Variant > News > Yale Medicine NY Times Article:  Covid's Delta Variant: What We Know - The New York Times (nytimes.com...

The homestay experience is arguably the most important aspect of a student’s study abroad experience.  What then should international students and their families look for when selecting a quality homestay program? Join hosts Leanna and Stephen for an informative discussion and valuable insight. Have students in need of high-quality subject tutoring? https://creativek12.com/contact-us Need Sum...

With COVID-19 once more rearing its ugly head, creating subsequent waves of outbreaks leading to lockdowns and other restrictions in the summer of 2021, international students must make preparations to travel out of their home countries at a time when travel is highly restricted. Cambridge works with a large network of American schools; consequently, this show will outline best practices for prepa...

As more education and activities move online, students are increasingly growing distant from one another, teachers, mentors, and administrators. Cambridge CARE was developed as a response to the isolation we’ve observed that students are experiencing. Join hosts Leanna and Stephen and special guest Sarah Liew, a Senior Student Development Manager at Cambridge Network, for an informa...

In preparation for students returning in the Fall, Cambridge Network has recently issued updated COVID-19 guidelines for international students studying in the United States. Based on the latest recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), learn about best practices of how long to quarantine, where to quarantine, what to watch out for to stay...

Schools put a lot of effort into keeping in touch with graduated students and their families for advancement purposes, however, this is often not the case with international students. Many of the students who have traveled to the U.S. to study abroad for 3 to 4 years, typically go on to be very successful and sometimes very wealthy. How then is the best way to keep up with these students? Join hos...

Now that the worst of COVID-19 is hopefully behind us, it’s time to re-examine our student recruiting strategies for the coming year, and beyond. It’s true that the pandemic was the direct cause of dwindling international student enrollment in the past few months, but there are other factors contributing to the longer-term downtrend of international student enrollment from 2017. This epi...

Too often we see examples of international students with difficulties integrating into school communities; having a tough time making friends with domestic students; or who just have low confidence. Given the herculean task of studying abroad, and in a foreign language, it’s to be expected that many international students struggle with this. One way to help combat this issue is to encourage intern...

After a long and arduous school year, summer break is finally here! What should international students do? If you haven’t made plans for the summer break, aren’t sure what to do or how to do it, this episode is for you. From summer housing, to self-care, and credit recovery, we discuss it all. Join hosts Leanna and Stephen for an informative discussion and valuable insight. Have students in n...

A recent high school graduate, founder of a non-profit organization, and all-around star international student Shaelyn Xia discusses her experience studying in the United States. Shaelyn gives tips on how she improved her English, dealt with the pandemic far away from home, and what she has planned for the future. Join hosts Leanna and Stephen for an informative discussion and...

Imagine the stresses and strains of the pandemic on top of being halfway across the world to study in a foreign language and culture.  While the pandemic has been challenging for most of us, it has been especially challenging for our international students. This episode of the Cambridge Insider Podcast deals with how schools can better support their international students’ mental health. Join...

This week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared an Emergency Use Authorization for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for adolescents, aged 12 to 15 years old. This is a significant development given that many younger secondary school students were heretofore ineligible to receive vaccinations against COVID-19. How does this affect international recruitment? Will private schools mandate that s...

Last week, our Cambridge Insider Podcast co-host Stephen gave a presentation to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) concerning recent trends in the overall international student recruitment market. This week’s episode provides an overview of that presentation, which was said by many of the attendees to be very useful. This recent article also summarizes the main points...

On April 26th, 2021, the U.S. Department of State finally announced that the entry ban on Chinese citizens was being lifted! Chinese international students, who comprise the vast majority of international students at the secondary school level, can finally once again enter the U.S. on valid F-1 and M-1 visas. Although this is the great news we’ve all been waiting for, what exactly does this mean f...

Thankfully, the U.S. has recently excelled in its vaccination initiative against COVID-19. What does this mean for the international secondary education market, and how does this change the landscape moving forward? Join hosts Leanna and Stephen for an informative discussion and valuable insight. Have students in need of high-quality subject tutoring? https://creativek12.com/contact-us Register fo...

The Cambridge Insider Podcast’s inaugural co-host Craig Batson is leaving us to pursue another opportunity, and this is his sendoff. We’ll miss you Craig! Join hosts Craig and Stephen, one last time, for some parting words and candid final thoughts on the industry. Stay tuned to The Cambridge Insider Podcast for more great content and a surprise new host! Have students in need of high-quality subj...

Are you an admissions officer looking for interview tips on how to successfully interview Chinese international students or any international student for that matter? Then you're in the right place. Mat Tilley has over a decade of experience in international education and has successfully trained school officials on how to best interview them for the past 5 years. Join hosts Craig and Stephen, and...

What is COVID-19 Learning Loss? According to Stanford’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes, in the 2019-20 school year, an average of half of U.S. students suffered a half year learning loss in Reading, and a full year of learning loss in Math. What’s going on, and what can be done about it? SEVIS By the Numbers: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2021/03/read-the-2020-sevis-by-the-numbers-re...

What is an International Student Homestay Coordinator to do in 2021? With all of the restrictions and precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, how is it still possible to house international students and perform regular check-ins with them to ensure their safety and well-being? Join hosts Craig and Stephen, and special guest Leanna Glass, Student Development Manager at Cambridge Homestay, for an...

What’s the latest on student vaccinations for March of 2021? Well, you’ve come to the right place!   We’ve aggregated the latest vaccine news and headlines relevant to students studying in the U.S. Join hosts Craig and Stephen, and special guest Dennis Gu, Marketing Specialist at Cambridge Homestay, for an informative discussion and valuable insight. Register for the next free Cambridge Netwo...