Global Academy NC Debut
Global Academy NC marked a major milestone this April, launching its first large-scale international recruitment initiative under its new name. Representing North Carolina’s top universities, our team joined thousands of institutions from more than ten countries at the 2026 China Study Abroad Forum in Beijing and the concurrent China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET)—events that together attract over 10,000 institutions across China and Asia each year.
With a booth themed “American Excellence in Education,”Global Academy NC stood out as a premier destination for parents and students seeking high-quality U.S. academic pathways. Throughout Beijing and a follow-up stop in Shanghai, our team provided in-depth consultation and promoted seven North Carolina institutions, including UNC Wilmington, Elon University, NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, Western Carolina University, and Guilford College.
What Surprised Parents and Students Most
At the China International Education Exhibition Tour, conversations with students and parents revealed several surprising takeaways about studying in North Carolina, in particular the resources and opportunities available to cities outside of Silicon Valley.
- Cost of Living: Many expected living costs to be extremely high but were surprised to learn that North Carolina is relatively affordable, with lower housing and daily expenses than many major U.S. destinations.
- Job Opportunities: Some assumed there were limited corporate resources, but discovered a strong and diverse economy with growing opportunities in fields like technology, finance, and healthcare.
- Strong School & Industry Connections: Parents and students were especially impressed by how closely institutions work with industry and how much emphasis is placed on student employment, with career support built into the overall academic experience.
North Carolina School Representatives
In the session titled “Collaborative Development and Innovation of the Study Abroad Ecosystem in the Digital Intelligence Era,” Dr. Jennifer Fernandez-Villa, Associate Provost and Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars at UNCW, offered in-depth insights into the evolving landscape of international education. She highlighted approaches to strengthening and innovating international student service systems, with an emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and the role of digital tools in enhancing student support.
Sarah Munro: The Beijing conference reinforced strong interest among Chinese families in study abroad and cross-cultural exchange. Parents focused on academics, community, and long-term outcomes, seeking supportive environments where students can grow holistically while succeeding academically.
There was also a clear focus on two-way exchange, including bringing students, faculty, and staff into China. Partnerships like New Mind Education were key to the event’s success, helping position the Study in NC booth centrally.
Overall, she found the people she spoke to had a interest in liberal arts institutions that balance academic rigor with holistic development, aligning closely with Guilford.
Bridging Through Education Article
While visiting China, New Mind’s Michael Chen, Guilford’s Sarah Munro, and UNC Wilmington’s Dr. Jennifer Fernandez-Villa were interviewed by Study Abroad Magazine, published under Guangming Daily at Peking University.
The feature explored how institutions can build innovative bi-lateral programs through a three-part framework: faculty exchange, non-degree programs, and degree collaborations. This 3×2 model, promoted by Global Academy NC, helps identify local needs and design meaningful partnerships. Each issue of the magazine reaches an estimated 100-250k+ of readers.
The article also notes a shift in global education toward stronger alignment of “fit,” affordability, and real-world outcomes. It highlights North Carolina as a rising study destination, offering high-quality universities, lower costs than major coastal hubs, and close ties to expanding industries such as tech, finance, and biotechnology—creating strong internship and career pathways for students.
120,000+ Viewers!
In addition, prior to the forum and exhibitions, several institutions—including Guilford College, Elon University, UNC Greensboro, and UNC Wilmington—participated in livestream sessions organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), each reaching over 120,000+ viewers across both sessions.
Collectively, these engagements significantly enhanced the visibility of North Carolina institutions, strengthened connections with prospective students and families, and further reinforced longstanding partnerships within the China market.
