Acumen reflects on International Education Week 2021

Mid-November is a much-anticipated time for international educators in the U.S.Colleagues wait with interest for the annual Open Doors report (a government-funded survey on international and U.S. higher education student mobility) to be released, and when it is, there is much debate, reflection and speculation based on the data. Corresponding to the release of the data is a week known as International Education Week (IEW) specifically promoted by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

Here at Acumen, we recognise what a challenging and unprecedented year it has been for colleagues across the world. So it’s in unity with students, institutional partners, and global stakeholders around the world that we pause and share a sample of a few great stories that have come out of International Week 2021.

Student to Intern to Work Experience – we celebrate Vasisht Guru Prasad (Guru)

Originally from India, Guru came to the U.S. to complete a Master of Science in Technical Entrepreneurship and Management at the University of Rochester in New York. From June to December 2020, Guru participated in Acumen’s remote internship program. One of the main reasons Guru looked to the U.S. for study was to experience applied and hands-on learning. He looks back on the experience gained and knows it has set him up well as he gets underway in his career. Guru has been able to navigate the challenges of 2020-2021 and is excited about what comes next.

Shout-out to our partner Lehigh University on receiving the Simon Award for Campus Internationalisation

Lehigh University was awarded the “Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalisation,” which distinguishes overall excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of university and college campuses as evidenced in its mission, strategies, programs and results. Having partnered with Lehigh for the past three years, it is great to see this noteworthy recognition, which is well deserved by the University and the international education team. Read more here.

Vietnam at top of the chart of sending countries from Southeast Asia

There has been a long tradition of Vietnamese students pursuing their studies in the U.S. from Vietnam, and the country continues to be of growing importance to U.S. universities. In terms of student mobility from Southeast Asia to the U.S., Vietnam is the standout country. The recently released 2020 Open Doors report indicates that 45% of all Southeast Asian enrollments in the U.S. in 2020 were from Vietnam. Leading as the top sending country from Southeast Asia, Vietnam ranks sixth in the international student place of origin position after China, India, South Korea, Canada and Saudi Arabia.

As of Fall 2021, Acumen has an established entity in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This is an exciting and opportune time for Acumen to expand our presence in the region. The addition of Vietnam to our already established presence in Malaysia and Singapore demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting globally ambitious universities to further their expansion in Southeast Asia.

10,000 Indian Voices Survey

We’re all searching for insights and perspectives as strategic planning is discussed and mapped for the future. The outcome of the largest study of Indian students to date has captured the perspectives of 10,000 Indian students. This groundbreaking survey explores how the Generation Z demographic in India perceives their world through the lens of academic and professional aspirations, the influence of social media, social activism and sustainability and the impact of the pandemic. For more information check out the Executive Summary here.