International recruitment in the digital age with Fordham University

Fordham University was Unibuddy’s first US partner—implementing the platform in September 2018. The university wanted to attract a diverse cohort, and understood the importance of peer-to-peer connections. As Lihuan Lai, Assistant Director of International Admission puts it: “Students want to talk to other students. Staff can provide information about the application process, admissions, and so on—but prospects really want that human touch. They want to hear from students and they want to know what it is really like coming to New York City.”

The solution

Fordham launched Unibuddy with a team of volunteer ambassadors, and drove prospects to the platform by sharing social content, and running Unibuddy Live chats. Lihuan says: “It was very easy to implement. I felt like I didn’t have to do anything. Our ambassadors are very engaged, they love being helpful, they love showing off the University.”

The results

In just 6 months, over 500 conversations have taken place on Unibuddy, and 20 prospects who used Unibuddy have made deposits. Fordham ambassadors have connected with students from over 80 countries. “What’s terrific is the diversity of these students. Students coming from smaller countries, like Chile, might be wondering if there is another student from Chile that they can talk to. Unibuddy gives them that connection.”