Recruiting Resources

You’ve invested a lot of time and energy designing a program that you feel will provide an added value to the academic career of your students. Now it is time to spread the word and start enrolling participants! One thing to keep in mind is that you are not “selling” something to students; you are offering them a valuable experience that will be beneficial to them, so keep that in mind. Your enthusiasm is vital!

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Before starting your marketing plan, think about what type of student will be interested in this program and why. Adapt all communication based on the prospective profile you’ve found. Here are some of the reasons students choose a program:

destination

Good news! Barcelona is fantastic and helps to sell itself! Let’s make sure that all your materials reflect the city as much as possible. Highlight specific aspects of Barcelona that appeal to today’s students, such as its focus on sustainability, innovation in culture and art, and its booming startup and technology scene.

Faculty leader

Most faculty members come with students that have taken their classes in the past. Students that enjoyed a course with this professor are more likely to sign up, and others are more apt to follow suit if it is a professor that has a great reputation on campus. The enthusiasm the faculty has for promoting the program is perhaps the most important element to making a program successful. Consider sharing strategies for faculty to engage students, such as using testimonials from previous participants, showcasing photos or videos from past programs, or leveraging professional networks like LinkedIn.

Catchy Courses, Real Impact

Students may need to complete certain requirements or may simply be interested in a specific topic. Running a course that helps students fulfill requirements is very helpful, so get as many departments on board to accept the credit offered. The title of the program also plays a role in attracting students. It should be fun and catchy but also something that students will want to appear on their transcript. Additionally, consider incorporating popular interdisciplinary themes like social entrepreneurship, cultural diversity, or global leadership to make the program even more appealing.

Long or Short, There's a Perfect Fit!

If you’re running a semester-long program, students may be attracted to the idea of traveling while still having the comfort of a familiar face and group structure. This option is ideal for students not ready to travel alone. On the other hand, a short-term program might attract students who can’t fit a semester abroad into their schedule, are balancing work or family responsibilities, or feel intimidated by a long-term stay. Highlight how short-term programs still offer valuable opportunities to develop key skills, such as intercultural communication, resilience, and teamwork, within a manageable timeframe.

plan ahead

Start early. The sooner you promote your program, the more time students will have to plan and save. Confirming the group early also allows you to secure better flight prices, reducing costs for students. Consider promoting the program before key school breaks so students can discuss it with their families while at home. Additionally, Barcelona SAE can host information sessions or Q&A events at the start of a semester. This can capture students' attention when they are actively considering their academic plans for the year.

spread the word

Mention the program in class: If possible, do a quick PowerPoint presentation with lots of visuals! You can also record a short video to share online. If you're repeating the program, invite a past student to speak to your current class.
Visit other classrooms: Ask if you can give the same talk in other professors' classes to reach more students.
Host information sessions (in-person and online): Include times and locations in printed materials and online. Cover key topics like the program, itinerary, housing, courses and credits, the application process, prices, financial aid, and expectations. Barcelona SAE can also host a online Q&A session or a webinar for students who can’t attend in person, making it easier for them to ask questions and connect.
Reach out to former students: Connect with past students who might be interested and tell them about the program. If there are specific students you’d love to have on the program, send them a personalized email. They’ll be thrilled you thought of them!
Talk about the program in department meetings: Ask to attend meetings from other departments that might be interested.
Collaborate with advisors: Ask how your program fits into other students' needs and encourage them to recommend it. Make sure they have flyers and other info to share.
Use interested students to recruit others: A student is more likely to join if they know someone else going. Consider offering a "refer a friend" discount, or simply let students know how many sign-ups are needed for the program to run. Make sure they have access to flyers and websites with more info, turning your enrolled students into ambassadors for the program! Note that Barcelona SAE can provide testimonials from other alumni who have participated in customized short-term programs, helping to further promote the experience.
Set up a booth at the study abroad fair: Bring plenty of flyers, posters, and anything related to Barcelona's local culture. If you’re repeating the program, involve past students to help with this.
Visit student organizations: Target groups like the “Spanish Table” or international student organizations. Also, use social media (Instagram, TikTok, Podcast) to reach more students.

BUILD CONNECTIONS

Gather info. Whenever a student shows interest in the program, add their name and email to a “potential student” list. Be sure to include them in subsequent mailings and follow up with them to answer any questions they have.

Print materials

Upon request, Barcelona SAE can send you some materials (customized A4 flyer, social media posts or email banner images), but feel free to reach out if you'd like any additional help. Here are some ideas for spreading the word:

Posters: Put up posters or flyers in common areas, classrooms, the career center, study abroad office, staff lounges, libraries, etc. Don’t forget to include contact info or a program website so students can easily get more details (tear-away flyers are super handy!).
Small flyers: Hand out half-page flyers in classes or at info tables. Include the basics like cost, dates, and easy ways to learn more (links to the website or social media).
Campus publications: See if you can write about the program in your school’s newsletter or magazine.
Banners: If your budget allows, a banner in the dining hall or other common areas can really grab attention!

LEVERAGE ONLINE TOOLS

Promotion via Email

Use campus list-serves or department email lists to send an informational email about the program and upcoming info sessions. Additionally, keep students engaged with regular email newsletters (monthly or bi-weekly) that provide updates, reminders (visa steps, deposits, etc.), and fun facts about the trip. These can be sent from you, the study abroad office, or via a service like Mailchimp.

Create a program Webpage

Use Google Pages, WordPress, or your department’s website to create a simple page with program details. Include a sample itinerary, video about Barcelona, weather and culture info, and your course syllabus. This will be helpful for both students and parents who want more details about housing, trips, etc. The more information, the better!

Add Links

Ask to have a link added to your campus Study Abroad website and any relevant department websites.

Create a blog

Start a blog where you can post about Spanish and Catalan culture, course-related materials, packing tips, etc. If you run the program again, it’ll already have great content from your previous trips to get new students interested. Be careful not to start a blog you can’t keep up with!

Instagram

If you already have an account for the program or an existing faculty account, use it to post inspiring photos and videos of Barcelona. Show the local culture, city vibes, and program activities. Don’t forget to include the account name on your flyers and promotional materials so students can follow and stay updated!

TikTok

Create a TikTok account for your program or use an existing faculty account. Share engaging and dynamic content like Barcelona highlights, student experiences, and cultural tips. Short, creative videos are a great way to capture the attention of students and keep them excited about the program.

Videos

Videos are a great way to promote the program. You can make one using still shots and text to explain the program or ask a former student to create a video with their footage if you’re repeating the program. You can also share existing videos about Barcelona.

Share our podcast

Our podcast Beyond Las Ramblas is an excellent tool for future students to discover fascinating stories from other participants. Through these real-life experiences, they can feel inspired and motivated to join a study abroad program and make the most of this unique opportunity in Barcelona.

There are many online tools to help promote your program, but don't feel like you need to use all of them! Focus on the ones you think will resonate best with your students and that you’re most comfortable using!

RESOURCES

Check out our resources that you can download and adapt to your needs:

EMAIL SIGNATURE

We highly encourage you to customize a signature for your study abroad program and attach it to your email. Any correspondence you have with students will now be a marketing opportunity! Here are some examples:

First Name Last Name

Position & Department

University

First Name Last Name

Position & Department

University

First Name Last Name

Position & Department

University

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