By Dr Xiaoqiao Zhang

International students in Asia are facing increasingly complex post-secondary search and enrolment experiences, as the global higher education landscape grapples with a post-pandemic era and more recent uncertainties. As inbound and outbound student mobility increases, international students encounter significant challenges in their cross-cultural transition from school to university.

Dr Xiaoqiao Zhang, a researcher and Assistant Professor at the Massachusetts General Hospital for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness, will share her decade of expertise with us at as keynote speaker for the CIS-EARCOS Institute on International Admission and Guidance. She has given hundreds of talks on university choices, major selection, pre-departure training, international students' emotional wellness, and overall acculturation. Since 2017, she has focused her research on cross-cultural student acculturation experiences and belonging, student mental health and development, and comparative and international education.

In this blog, Dr Xiaoqiao Zhang shares more about what she will discuss in her keynote address. Keep reading to learn more about the evidence-based data, tools and frameworks she will share to support students’ cross-cultural acculturation, belonging and mental health in their transition to higher education.

What do you consider the biggest challenge facing students in Asia choosing post-secondary pathways right now?

In today's globalized world, students in Asia face a myriad of challenges when choosing post-secondary pathways. The landscape is increasingly complex, with students needing to balance family expectations, national education policies, and their own personal interests and passions. Through my research on Asian students studying in the United States and China, I've observed that many students feel pressured to pursue "prestigious" routes without adequate support in understanding what kind of environment, pedagogy, or cultural setting would best support their personal and academic development.

The biggest challenge, in my opinion, is not just in choosing a destination, but in understanding oneself and how different systems align with their strengths and values. Unfortunately, this self-reflection is often underdeveloped in the current decision-making process.

What do you consider the key opportunities for university guidance and recruitment practitioners to consider as they support students in Asia choosing post-secondary pathways worldwide?

While rankings remain a significant factor influencing many Asian students' decisions—especially as Chinese universities rise in global standings—there is a key opportunity to guide students beyond rankings alone. Students also choose destinations based on economic advantages, cultural interests, career opportunities, and personal fit. Counsellors and recruitment reps can play a critical role by helping students reflect more holistically on their priorities. They can guide students to consider how academic environment, professional pathways, and personal growth opportunities align with their long-term goals—not just institutional prestige.

Give us a ‘sneak peek’ into your keynote session, and highlight some key takeaways for your attendees.

With my keynote, I aim to:

1. Highlight stories and data: Sharing current research and data trends with student experiences helps the audience see why deeper advising—beyond prestige—is urgently needed.
2. Provide an actionable advising framework: Introducing a simple three-step reflection tool for counsellors and recruiters to use with students. This tool breaks down into three FITs: (1) Academic fit (learning style, curriculum model), (2) Career fit (professional opportunities, employability), and (3) Personal fit (cultural adjustment, lifestyle preferences). This helps students make more informed, multidimensional decisions.
3. Reframe professional identity: Encouraging the audience to act not just as institutional promoters but as cultural navigators and student advocates, empowering them to support sustainable success rather than just enrolment numbers.

By focusing on these areas, we can better support students in making informed decisions that align with their personal and academic goals.