September 2025 marks the 15th anniversary of New Mind’s international student recruitment and development journey.
Fifteen years ago, we welcomed our first cohort of 24 international students from China. Today, many of them are in their early 30s, thriving as researchers, engineers, reporters, and entrepreneurs across continents—each making meaningful contributions to their communities and to society in their own unique way.
For many professionals in international student recruitment and services at U.S. universities, Fall 2025 brings mixed emotions—excitement, frustration, and uncertainty. Across major U.S. research institutions, international enrollment has dropped an estimated
15–70%, while shifting global geopolitical dynamics add another layer of anxiety.
Some may advise, “Just wait it out; this will pass.” Others may fear, “Perhaps the industry is in decline.” At New Mind, we take a different view. We encourage our colleagues to reimagine.
International education urgently needs bold thinking—reassessing assumptions, expanding boundaries, and exploring new possibilities. The students we’ve guided remind us of education’s transformative power: their experiences in the U.S. helped them grow as individuals, and in turn, they are helping to build a better world. And when students weigh the benefits of studying in Canada, the UK, Australia, and beyond, the United States continues to stand out as the leading global destination for higher education.
As we look ahead to 2025–26, we remain optimistic about the possibilities.
Creating Access
At New Mind, “access” means working together with our partners to lower barriers for international students.
What’s Ahead
In future newsletters, we’ll share updates designed to keep you closely connected to our work and vision. You can expect:
- • Program Announcements – including our newly updated Global Academy and Global Visiting Scholar webpages.
- • Student Journey Project – a team initiative exploring the unique pathways of both undergraduate and graduate students from China, Vietnam and India as they pursue study in the U.S.
- • Cultural Insights – fresh perspectives on how each of these home countries brings distinct cultural contexts, values, and opportunities.
This is how we reimagine our role—not as a master agent focused on volume, but as partners in supporting individual student success and creating meaningful collaborations.
