Webinar Highlights: Effective China Recruitment Travel
On April 15, Sunrise hosted a webinar focused on effective recruitment strategies for Chinese students in higher education. The session featured three seasoned admissions professionals—Pierce Golden from Suffolk University, Bayu Sutrisno from Pace University, and Rafael Alvarado from Kansas State University—who shared insights and lessons from their recent recruitment trips to China.
During the webinar, the panelists reflected on their experiences with Sunrise’s recruitment tours, offering a closer look at the current landscape in China.
“From pre-departure to arrival, the professionalism across the board was outstanding.” — Pierce Golden, Suffolk University
Pierce shared his first post-COVID travel experience, praising Sunrise’s attention to detail and support that allowed him to focus fully on connecting with students and school partners. He noted that for first-time or returning visitors, having logistics and cultural context handled in advance makes the process smoother and more impactful.
“Especially for people traveling for the first time in any market, it’s important to rely on people with experience.” — Bayu Sutrisno, Pace University
Bayu emphasized that success in China goes beyond simply showing up. From managing logistics to localizing marketing materials, having support from an experienced team makes a meaningful difference. He highlighted how tools like Mandarin-language content and cultural knowledge helped his institution connect more deeply with Chinese families.
“In China, students aren’t on YouTube or Google. The most effective way to engage is by using their apps—and doing it in Mandarin.” — Rafael Alvarado, Kansas State University
Rafael spoke to the importance of adapting to the local digital environment. He emphasized that understanding the tools Chinese students and parents actually use—like WeChat, Alipay, and Trip.com—is essential for engagement. Tailoring digital outreach and communications in Mandarin helps build trust and visibility in a competitive market.
Key Takeaways from the Panel
Visa Support: Collaborating with trusted local agents can simplify travel and reduce stress for staff.
Family Priorities Are Evolving: Reputation, safety, and career outcomes remain top concerns for Chinese families.
Cultural Fluency Matters: Even a few words of Mandarin or understanding local etiquette can strengthen relationships.
Tech Tools Are a Must: Apps like WeChat and Alipay aren’t optional—they’re fundamental to operating in China.
Speakers agreed that while the recruitment environment is changing, interest from Chinese students remains strong. Thoughtful preparation and cultural sensitivity can go a long way in building meaningful, long-term engagement.
Catch Up On the Highlights
If you missed the live session, don’t worry—watch our highlights video to hear more from our expert panel and see their advice in action. For a deeper dive into visa logistics and cultural engagement strategies, the full session recording is available here.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this insightful discussion, and a special thank you to our speakers for sharing their experiences and perspectives. Stay tuned for more resources and events, and practical tools for your international recruitment strategy.