David Nelson: Why 76% of Students Want to Study Abroad

Student interest in studying abroad is at an all-time high, but so are the challenges of cost, safety, and accessibility. In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with David Nelson, Director of Study Abroad at Terra Dotta and a veteran international education leader.

David breaks down the findings from Terra Dotta's latest survey, revealing why 76% of students want to study abroad and how their motivations are shifting from personal growth to resume building. They explore the "clustering effect" of social media, why students are choosing "safe" destinations like the UK, and the critical role parents play in the decision-making process.

David also shares how technology—from AI-driven data analysis to automation—is helping understaffed offices meet student expectations and make global experiences more affordable and impactful. For anyone involved in international education, this is a deep dive into the data shaping the future of study abroad.

Key Takeaways:

1. Student Interest is High, But Destinations are Concentrating: While 76% of students express a desire to study abroad, post-pandemic trends show them clustering in perceived "safe," English-speaking destinations (like the UK) rather than spreading out globally. This creates logistical challenges for universities and limits the diversity of experiences.
2. The "Why" Has Shifted from Personal to Professional Growth: Students now view study abroad primarily as a critical differentiator for their resumes and future careers in a globally competitive job market, moving beyond just the goal of personal enrichment.
3. Parents are a Critical (and Often Anxious) Audience: Recruitment must start as early as high school, but universities must also address the "helicopter parent" factor. Parents are a major influence and often need reassurance about safety and structure, making faculty-led programs a key selling point.
4. Technology is Essential for Scaling and Affordability: With tight budgets and no new staff, offices must leverage existing tech (like Microsoft Power Automate) and AI to automate processes, provide instant student communication, and use data to negotiate better, more affordable program options with providers.
5. AI is a Powerful Tool for Data-Driven Decision Making: AI can analyze thousands of student feedback points (surveys, emails, reviews) to perform sentiment analysis and identify program value. This allows universities to make concrete, data-backed decisions about which programs to keep, cut, or improve to better serve students.
6. Virtual Experiences are Bridging the Cost Gap: For students who cannot afford a traditional $10,000 program, virtual internships with major global companies (Netflix, Nike, Airbnb) offer a lower-cost alternative that still provides prestigious resume-building and professional experience.

 

 

Find David Nelson here:

LinkedIn                              

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denelson123/

Terra Dotta

https://terradotta.com/

 

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

 

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - EdTech Connect: David Nelson
• (00:01:48) - The Teradata Director of Study Abroad
• (00:03:21) - The Importance of Study Abroad
• (00:04:18) - Study Abroad: More Secure, More Global
• (00:06:17) - Study Abroad: Important to Personal Growth
• (00:08:57) - The UK remains the top student destination
• (00:11:15) - How to Automate Student Aid Formations
• (00:13:12) - Can Colleges and Institutions Improve Affordability?
• (00:15:14) - What's the College Student Travel Plan?
• (00:17:15) - Education and AI: The Future of Student Experience
• (00:19:43) - The Parent Involvement in Study Abroad
• (00:22:14) - Diversifying the message about study abroad
• (00:23:38) - The Study Abroad Experience: Peer Influence
• (00:28:16) - EdTech Connect