linden tour report: linden middle east fall 2012 me 2012 tour report final version 10-2.pdf ·...
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Linden Tour Report: Linden Middle East Fall 2012
The Fall 2012 Linden Tour to the Middle East was a 15-day tour to six countries: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Kuwait. The tour was planned to place representatives from U.S.
colleges and universities (16 – 20 full tour participants depending on the city and1 Fairs Only
participant) in direct contact with students and parents, high school counselors, and advisers in these
locations. Our group included public and private universities as well as specialty institutions, such as, two art and design schools, and a business university. During the tour, we saw over 2,750
students and met with more than 60 educational professionals.
Although there was unrest in the region while we were there, we never felt anything but welcome.
Our fairs were well-attended with most events having larger turnouts in the number of candidates
present over last fall. We also had the honor of having many of our events officially opened by members of the US embassy and, at the Kuwait fair, we were especially proud to have Ambassador
Matthew Tueller cut the ribbon and welcome the students. This year the fairs in Qatar, Dubai and
Kuwait all had significant increases in the number of students who attended. It is also worth noting that many students were accompanied by their parents and other relatives revealing that they were
seriously contemplating studying in the USA. There was a good mix of undergraduates and
graduates at the fairs and, while engineering and business continue to be the most sought after
career choices, there was more interest in the arts and sciences and especially political science. There is also interest in pursuing degrees in the health professions.
This year’s tour members also participated in a Linden-sponsored Educational Forum in Amman, Jordan. Here, we hosted an event with secondary counselors attending from Egypt, Jerusalem
(West Bank), Lebanon, and Ramallah. In addition to those guests, 12 high school counselors from
six leading international schools in Amman joined us for the day-long workshop along with the
EducationUSA and AMIDEAST advisors from that city. The Regional Educational Advising Coordinator for Middle East North Africa also traveled from Morocco to partake in this special
program. Among the day’s highlights were a student panel and parent panel which the Linden
university participants found especially helpful.
Cultural activities are an important part of the Linden Tour to the Middle East and this tour was no
exception. Several of us started the tour with a pre-tour visit to the Dead Sea or Petra. Needless to say those of us who spent the day in Petra and walked the ruins of this ancient civilization were
awestruck by its architecture and beauty. Another cultural opportunity came in Oman when some of
the group enjoyed a magical day visiting the city sites: the fish souk, forts and royal palace while
others spent the day on a glass bottom boat watching dolphins, viewing corals and snorkeling. As always, opportunities for crafts shopping and bargaining were available.
Student Market
Middle East:
The countries in the Middle East represent a solid market for international student recruitment. According to IIE’s Open Doors 2011 data, there were 42,543 students from the Middle East
studying in the USA. This is a 25.9 increase from the previous year.
The academic level breakdown is as follows: 43% undergraduate
33% graduate students
20% non degree 4% OPT
It is worth mentioning that Open Doors positions Saudi Arabia as the 6th leading country of origin
of international students in the United States, sending 22,704 students to the States in 2011, representing a 43.6% increase over 2010. The leading fields of study for the students from this
country for 2011 are: 29.1% are studying IELP, 21.8% are pursuing Engineering, 18.4% are in
Business/ Management, 8.1% Computer Science and 5.3% Health professions. The breakdown of fields of study for KSA is representative of the preferred majors for the rest of the Middle East.
Students from the Middle East are often sponsored to study abroad by government supported
scholarship programs. It is important for the US Universities recruiting in this region to understand the processes involved in each country and to seek approval onto the list of endorsed institutions.
Scholarship programs:
Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah Scholarship Program provides opportunities for Saudi
citizens to pursue undergraduate and graduate education in many academic disciplines
needed by government and private sectors. Undergraduate level: medicine, medical
sciences, and health sciences and Graduate level: medicine, dentistry, medical fellowship,
pharmacy, nursing, medical sciences, engineering, computers, pure sciences, accounting, e-
commerce, finance, and others.
http://www.mohe.gov.sa/en/studyaboard/King-Abdulla-
hstages/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.sacm.org/ArabicSACM/pdf/education_web.pdf
Qatar: The HEI’s scholarship office is responsible for administering scholarship programs
which enable students to be supported in under-graduate and post-graduate studies at the
best higher education institutions in Qatar and around the world. This office is also
responsible for following up on scholarship recipients’ financial and administrative affairs,
and monitoring their academic progress by communicating with their respective universities,
guardians and students themselves via e-mails, phone calls, letters or visits.
The Supreme Education Council Announces The New universities list (2011-2013)
The Higher Education Institute (HEI) has announced a list of 910 names of the best
universities and colleges from around the world. The list, which is updated every two years
selects the best universities for scholarship recipients based on international ranking criteria.
The scholarship office administers scholarship programs based on the following geographic distribution:
1. Qatar 2. Arab region and Australia 3. United Kingdom & Europe 4. United States & Canada
http://www.english.education.gov.qa/section/sec/hei/sco
Oman: The Ministry of Higher Education has a list of preselected Institutions. The
universities for the Thousand Scholarships for Post-Graduate studies are listed at
http://eservices.mohe.gov.om/Student/Makroma.aspx
Dubai: The Ministry of Higher Education provides lists of the recommended higher education institutions abroad. These institutions are evaluated according to a number of criteria for the recognition of higher education institutions abroad , which was developed by the Commission of Certificates Equivalency. Students wishing to complete their higher education first need to obtain the approval of the ministry before the enrollment through online request of the program study www.mohesr.gov.ae/en/institutes.aspx
Kuwait: Approximately 80% of the Kuwaiti students are offered scholarships from the Kuwaiti Government to attend colleges and universities in the USA. The Kuwaiti government also is willing to fund up to 1 year of English Language study in case students do not meet the EL admission requirements of the university. However, the college/university and the program that the student applies for must be on the approved list of the Kuwait Culture Office in Washington, DC. www.kuwaitculture.com
Competition from other countries, including, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and other Arab
countries is keen therefore it is important for US universities to visit early in the academic year,
participate in major recruiting events, be included on the approved scholarship lists and establish good working relationships with the Scholarship Granting authorities.
Tour Review Based on the written evaluations, the tour members would like us to:
Send an electronic version of the Linden brochure to the high schools before the group
arrives in the region so that the students can review it and be more knowledgeable about
each participating university prior to the group’s visits
Incorporate general information panel presentations and more specific ones into the
university fair prior to the fair opening, i.e., a grad presentation, an arts school
panel, a tech school panel, professional degrees, etc.
Continue to develop the Forum to be included in other cities in the region
Slow down the pace of the tour a bit. Expand it by two days so that there is some
institutional time.
Continue to develop online registration process; move towards mobile registration on site.
Consider the following cities for future Fall tours:
o Dubai, Abu Dhabi (day trip) Kuwait, Doha, Amman, Jeddah ( the group feels two
days should be given to this city in 2013), Muscat
What tour members liked about this trip:
"It is a challenging place to visit, but the schools we visit and the students I interact with are worth the trip. Dubai was absolutely amazing and easily my best UAE fair to date.”
“This was, by far, the best tour in the region that I’ve ever done. I’m actually surprised at the numbers, because they “felt” much, much higher than what is reflected on your chart … Students really seemed prepared and extremely interested in the US as their destination.” "This trip confirms that Linden is the best for recruiting undergraduate Middle Eastern students. The public fairs were wonderful."
Appreciation
First of all, I want to thank the tour members. You combined hard work, education and enjoyment
in this tour through the Middle East. The attendance at our fairs shows that there are many
outstanding students in this region who are seriously considering studying in the U.S. You were patient, positive and overall professional and I want to thank you for an amazing journey.
I also want to thank our colleagues in this region. We relied on them for help with advertising, registration and promotion of U.S. education before, during and after our tour. I particularly want
thank our friends and colleagues at the AMIDEAST and EducationUSA offices in the region as
well as other centers that assisted us; their support and help were instrumental to the success of the
tour.
Finally, I want to thank everyone at Linden Educational Services. Kathy Harrington was the
foundation of this tour, coordinating the cities as well as the Educational Forum; her organizational skills, steady demeanor and travel expertise laid the way for this tour to be the success that it was.
Lauren Olson handled countless logistics for us all, many thanks. Jody Stein worked hard in getting
the brochure, flyers and ads out in a timely and able manner, it is much appreciated. Last but not least, I wish to personally thank my two tour leaders, Kathy Harrington and Deborah Hefferon for
teaching me so much about this amazing part of the world, I could not have been luckier than to
have you both as my mentors. I am humbled and grateful. This region is a region of kind people,
amazing sights, and wonderful places to discover - we are fortunate to be able to visit it.
Respectfully submitted,
JoBeth Brudner
October 2012
Amman, Jordan
September 6-10, 2012
Linden US University Fair September 8 Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel 149 School Visits Mashrek International School
American Community School
Amman Baccalaureate School
King’s Academy
50 120 100
80
Total Students seen in Amman 499 Other professional Activities
Educational Forum
Newcomers Meeting
Intro Meeting
Briefing
AMIDEASTvisit
Fulbright office visit
Delicious Welcome Dinner
*Registered students – the vast majority of undergraduates attend the Fairs with their parents and siblings and often graduate-level students bring at least one family member, so the total number of participants in the ballroom is much greater than the number registered.
Current Market/Trends According to Open Doors, the number of students studying in the USA from Jordan has increased by almost 0.4% in the 2010/11 academic year to 2,002. Currently, 29.4% are studying at the undergraduate level, and 70.8% are studying at the graduate level/other (ESL/OPT).
Attendance at the Fall 2012 Fair Of the 149 registered students at the fair, we learned the following:
Gender: 77% were male, 23% female Degree sought: 47% want undergraduate study, 33% master’s degrees and 11% PhDs Field of Study: 24% want a degree in engineering, 11% in business management and marketing,
7% in computer science, 8% in biology and biomedical science, and 6% in architecture TOEFL Score: The average TOEFL score of those who had taken the exam was 330 Intended year of entry: 61% plan to begin their studies in 2013, 16% in 2014 Citizenship: the predominant citizenships in this event was: Jordanian: 85%, Others: 15%
Amman Highlights Meeting up with old friends and starting new friendships as the tour got underway The Educational Forum, an opportunity to learn from one another while networking with colleagues
from secondary schools and advising centers throughout the region Great number of students and parents and excellent questions at the public university fair, strong
presence of undergraduate candidates. Warm welcome at all International Schools, well focused students who asked knowledgeable
questions Welcome dinner at Fakhr El-din, an amazing variety of local delicacies
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
September 10-11, 2012
Linden US University Fair School Visits KAUST
American International School
British School
50 150
28
Total Students seen in Jeddah 228 Other professional Activities
Briefing
Current Market/Trends According to Open Doors, the number of students from Saudi Arabia studying in the USA has increased by almost 44% in the 2010/11 academic year to 22,704. Currently, 48% are studying at the undergraduate level, and 52% are studying at the graduate level/other (ESL/OPT).
Attendance at the Fall 2012 Fair No fair was held in Jeddah.
Jeddah Highlights
Navigating our way through immigration, an experience we will never forget Women in black, abayas and scarves. The interest and quality of the students and staff at all our school visits which made this city
well worth repeating.
Doha, Qatar
September 11-13, 2012
Linden US University Fair September 12 Doha Marriott Hotel 263 School Visits Middle East International School
Doha American
International School of London, Qatar
Academic Bridge
Doha College
32 60 65 25
Total Students seen In Doha 455 Other professional Activities • Country Briefing
*Registered students – the vast majority of undergraduates attend the Fairs with their parents and siblings and often graduate-level students bring at least one family member, so the total number of participants in the ballroom is much greater than the number registered.
Current Market/Trends According to Open Doors, the number of students from Qatar increased by almost 8% in the 2010/11 academic year to 716. Currently, 78 % are studying at the undergraduate level, and 22% are studying at the graduate level/other (ESL/OPT).
Attendance at the Fall 2012 Fair Of the 263 registered students at the fair, we learned the following:
Gender: 79% were male, 21% female Degree sought: 75% want undergraduate study, 21% master’s degrees and 4% PhDs. Field of Study: 25% want a degree in engineering,31% in business management and marketing,
8% in computer science,6% in biology and biomedical science, and 5% in architecture TOEFL Score: The average TOEFL score of those who had taken the exam was 521 Intended year of entry: 60% plan to begin their studies in 2013, 26% in 2014 Citizenship: the citizenships represented in this event were: Qatari:41%, Indian: 21%, Egyptian:
9%,Other: 29%
Doha Highlights
Embassy participation, ribbon cutting and welcome address at university fair. Impressive number of students and parents and great questions at the public university fair First time visits to International School of London, Qatar and Academic Bridge Program,
warm hospitality of counseling staff Warm welcome at Doha American and Middle Eastern International School where students
had good conversations with the university representatives.
Muscat, Oman
September 13-16, 2012
Linden U.S. University Fair September 15 Grand Hyatt Hotel 180 School Visits International School Choueifat
American-British Academy
American International School of Muscat
21 40
120
Total Students seen in Muscat 361
Other professional Activities • AMIDEAST Country Briefing w/ MOHE Scholarship officials • AMIDEAST meeting
*Registered students – the vast majority of undergraduates attend the Fairs with their parents and siblings and often graduate-level students bring at least one family member, so the total number of participants in the ballroom is much greater than the number registered.
Current Market/Trends According to Open Doors, the number of students from Oman studying in the USA increased by almost 9.4% in the 2010/11 academic year to 313. Currently, 61% are studying at the undergraduate level, and 39% are studying at the graduate level/other (ESL/OPT).
Attendance at the Fall 2012 Fair Of the 180 registered students at the fair, we learned the following:
Gender: 75% were male, 25% female Degree sought: 54% want undergraduate study, 28% master’s degrees and 10% PhDs. Field of Study: 26% want a degree in engineering, 16% in business management and marketing
and 4% in applied health fields TOEFL Score: The average TOEFL score of those who had taken the exam was NA Intended year of entry: 60 % plan to begin their studies in 2013, 14% in 2014 Citizenship: the citizenships represented in this event were: Omani:58%, Egyptian: 27%, Other:
15%
Muscat Highlights
Participation of MOHE at the briefing and opportunity to speak to them individually and informally later on in the evening.
Embassy participation, ribbon cutting and welcome address at university fair. Outstanding interaction at all the international school visits, warm hospitality of counseling
staff City tour, dolphin boat trip, amazing city for cultural events, magical day to remember. Dinner
at the Turkish House for delicious fresh seafood.
Dubai, UAE
October 18-20, 2011
Linden US University Fair October 18 Shangri- La Hotel 162 School Visits Dubai International Academy
Dubai American Academy
Repton School
American Academy in Al Mizhar
International School of Choueifat- Dubai
Gems World Academy
Indian School
Universal American School ( Deira)
Al Mawakeb School of Dubai
American School of Dubai
42
40
50
0
85
25
45
82
45
18
Total Students seen in Dubai 594 Other professional Activities • US Embassy Country Briefing • Meeting Counselling Point
*Registered students – the vast majority of undergraduates attend the Fairs with their parents and siblings and often graduate-level students bring at least one family member, so the total number of participants in the ballroom is much greater than the number registered.
Current Market/Trends According to Open Doors, the number of students from UAE studying in the USA increased by almost 13.2% in the 2010/11 academic year to 1,871. Currently, 57% are studying at the undergraduate level, and 43% are studying at the graduate level/other (ESL/OPT).
Attendance at the Fall 2012 Fair Of the 162 registered students at the fair, we learned the following:
Gender: 63% were male, 34% female Degree sought: 42% want undergraduate study, 24% master’s degrees and 6% PhDs. Field of Study: 26% want a degree in engineering, 18% in business management and marketing
and 6% in computer science TOEFL Score: The average TOEFL score of those who had taken the exam was 575 Intended year of entry: 60% plan to begin their studies in 2013, 11% in 2014 Citizenship: the citizenships represented in this event were: Indian:56%, Pakistani: 7%, Emirati:
4%, Other: 33%
Dubai Highlights
Outstanding fair, an overwhelming turnout with the number of candidates attending more than doubling last year, excellent in quantity and quality
Briefing by US Embassy officials at which a clear outline of the UAE Education system was given as well as recruiting strategies and cultural highlights. All information shared was greatly appreciated by the group.
Well-attended college fairs at the International Schools, and warm hospitality shown by college counselors.
Kuwait City
September 18-20, 2012
Linden US University Fair September 19 Marina Hotel 232 School Visits Al Bayan Billingual School
American School Kuwait
American Creativity Academy (Girls)
American Creativity Academy (Boys)
Universal American School
American International School Kuwait
British School of Kuwait
Kuwait English School
Kuwait University
28
52
150
18
10
70
30
35
7
Total Students seen in Kuwait City 632 Other professional Activities
AMIDEAST Country Briefing
Review meeting
Farewell dinner at Al Boom Restaurant *Registered students – the vast majority of undergraduates attend the Fairs with their parents and siblings and often graduate-level students bring at least one family member, so the total number of participants in the ballroom is much greater than the number registered.
Current Market/Trends According to Open Doors, the number of students from Kuwait studying in the USA increased by almost 23% in the 2010/11 academic year to 2,998. Currently, 62% are studying at the undergraduate level, and 38% are studying at the graduate level/other (ESL/OPT).
Attendance at the Fall 2012 Fair Of the 232 registered students at the fair, we learned the following:
Gender: 74% were male, 26% female Degree sought: 67% want undergraduate study, 23% master’s degrees and 6% PhDs. Field of Study: 34% want a degree in engineering, 15% in business management and marketing,
8% in biology and biomedical science, and 5% in applied health sciences TOEFL Score: The average TOEFL score of those who had taken the exam was 474 Intended year of entry: 67% plan to begin their studies in 2013, 26% in 2014 Citizenship: the citizenships represented in this event were: Kuwati:47%, Egyptian: 8%, Indian:
6%, Other: 39%
Kuwait Highlights
Ambassador Matthew Tueller officiating the opening ceremony and spending time at the university fair talking to the university representatives and greeting prospective students
The country briefing offered by AMIDEAST, which covered country information and important educational data as well as the scholarship program. Having the US Embassy join this session made it especially robust.
Great number of students and parents and excellent questions at the public university fair, strong presence of undergraduate candidates.
Interested students and great questions, large turnouts at many of our visits to the International Schools. Special thanks for the counselors at these visits for making the group feel very welcome.
First time visits to the British School of Kuwait and Kuwait English School resulted in meeting very interested students. These visits show great promise for the future. Extremely supportive administration.
Farewell dinner buffet on the Al Boom, a traditional Arabic dhow, was the perfect way to end the tour.