With an economy that has grown, on average, by 3.5% a year for the last 15 years, Colombia is a leading outbound international student source country. With the most recent figures showing at least 75,000 Colombian students abroad in higher education and the likely number of students abroad closer to 100,000 once English Language studies are factored in, it is clear that Colombia is an important strategic destination for international student recruitment professionals.
However, it is crucial not to underestimate the importance of making personal connections. A recent report from EdCo LATAM highlighted the fact that, to effectively reach Colombian students, it is necessary to form long-term connections with the country and with trusted local agents. Even in the era of AI, agents are responsible for around 60% of all student placements - a higher proportion than in Mexico or Brazil - highlighting the need for a tailored approach to recruitment.
In this presentation, we explore:
The latest figures show how many Colombian students are seeking study abroad opportunities and at what levels
Key study destinations for Colombian students
Colombian student preferences
Strategic tips for marketing programmes effectively in Colombia
Argentina is an important, if niche, international student recruitment market. With public universities providing free courses, there is less incentive for undergraduate students to seek opportunities abroad. However, while it has fewer outbound students than Colombia or Brazil, there is a sizeable pool of highly educated prospective students seeking specialist, postgraduate opportunities.
For recruitment professionals, the key to marketing programmes effectively in Argentina is to avoid mass marketing approaches, focusing instead on targeted campaigns and the forging of personal connections.
In this market update, we look at:
The latest data on popular postgraduate programmes
Key study destinations
Argentina’s emergence as a study destination in its own right and how this may affect recruitment
Strategic tips for recruitment professionals looking to engage the Argentine market
Brazil remains one of the most important source markets in international education, sending students abroad in growing numbers and supported by an increasingly professional agent sector. Drawing on the latest BELTA International Education Market Survey (conducted February–April 2026), this session offers attendees an in-depth look at current outbound market dynamics — from student demand and visa trends to affordability pressures and the evolving role of agents in guiding Brazilian students toward international study destinations.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where the Brazilian outbound market stands today, the opportunities it presents for destination institutions and recruiters, and how to position their offerings to engage Brazilian students and their agents — followed by a Q&A to explore the findings further.
Latin America is a vast, diverse international student source region which, as a whole, is projected to show growth across the next five years. However, while interest remains high in the traditionally popular study destinations, a range of factors are reshaping student behaviours. Key among these are the more restrictive policies that have swept a number of leading study destinations, the rising cost of study and living, access to post-study work opportunities, and even proximity.
As a result, prospective students are exploring a wider range of destinations, including intra-regional opportunities, with Argentina named in a recent UNESCO report analysing global student mobility. In this panel discussion, we look into the factors, both within Latin America and in key study destinations, shaping student decision making. We look at the growth in intra-regional student mobility, the ways in which schools are adapting to support students, as well as some practical tips as to how recruitment professionals should be responding to these changes.
View the full seminar programme for 91PORN Latin America 2026, where we welcome guest speakers and panellists to discuss and debate the latest trends in international education. The sessions will take place on October 5th between 10:00 and 13:00.
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Mon Oct 5
10:00 - 10:25
Market update: Colombia
10:0010:25Seminar room
Presentation
10:30 - 10:55
Market update: Argentina
10:3010:55Seminar room
Presentation
11:00 - 11:25
Market update: Brazil
11:0011:25Seminar room
Presentation
Alexandre ArgentaAlexandre ArgentaAcademic background in foreign trade, marketing and law. International education consultant since 1994. CEO and Founder of Travelmate Intercâmbio since 2002. President of BELTA.President, Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association (BELTA)
11:30 - 12:00
Refreshment break
12:00 - 12:55
Latin American student preferences: Key study destinations in an evolving landscape
12:0012:55Seminar room
Panel discussion
Mon • Oct 510:00 - 10:25Seminar room
Market update: Colombia
Presentation
With an economy that has grown, on average, by 3.5% a year for the last 15 years, Colombia is a leading outbound international student source country. With the most recent figures showing at least 75,000 Colombian students abroad in higher education and the likely number of students abroad closer to 100,000 once English Language studies are factored in, it is clear that Colombia is an important strategic destination for international student recruitment professionals.
However, it is crucial not to underestimate the importance of making personal connections. A recent report from EdCo LATAM highlighted the fact that, to effectively reach Colombian students, it is necessary to form long-term connections with the country and with trusted local agents. Even in the era of AI, agents are responsible for around 60% of all student placements - a higher proportion than in Mexico or Brazil - highlighting the need for a tailored approach to recruitment.
In this presentation, we explore:
The latest figures show how many Colombian students are seeking study abroad opportunities and at what levels
Key study destinations for Colombian students
Colombian student preferences
Strategic tips for marketing programmes effectively in Colombia
Mon • Oct 510:30 - 10:55Seminar room
Market update: Argentina
Presentation
Argentina is an important, if niche, international student recruitment market. With public universities providing free courses, there is less incentive for undergraduate students to seek opportunities abroad. However, while it has fewer outbound students than Colombia or Brazil, there is a sizeable pool of highly educated prospective students seeking specialist, postgraduate opportunities.
For recruitment professionals, the key to marketing programmes effectively in Argentina is to avoid mass marketing approaches, focusing instead on targeted campaigns and the forging of personal connections.
In this market update, we look at:
The latest data on popular postgraduate programmes
Key study destinations
Argentina’s emergence as a study destination in its own right and how this may affect recruitment
Strategic tips for recruitment professionals looking to engage the Argentine market
Mon • Oct 511:00 - 11:25Seminar room
Market update: Brazil
Presentation
Presenter
Alexandre Argenta
Alexandre Argenta
Academic background in foreign trade, marketing and law. International education consultant since 1994. CEO and Founder of Travelmate Intercâmbio since 2002. President of BELTA.
President, Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association (BELTA)
Brazil remains one of the most important source markets in international education, sending students abroad in growing numbers and supported by an increasingly professional agent sector. Drawing on the latest BELTA International Education Market Survey (conducted February–April 2026), this session offers attendees an in-depth look at current outbound market dynamics — from student demand and visa trends to affordability pressures and the evolving role of agents in guiding Brazilian students toward international study destinations.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where the Brazilian outbound market stands today, the opportunities it presents for destination institutions and recruiters, and how to position their offerings to engage Brazilian students and their agents — followed by a Q&A to explore the findings further.
11:30 - 12:00
Refreshment break
Mon • Oct 512:00 - 12:55Seminar room
Latin American student preferences: Key study destinations in an evolving landscape
Panel discussion
Latin America is a vast, diverse international student source region which, as a whole, is projected to show growth across the next five years. However, while interest remains high in the traditionally popular study destinations, a range of factors are reshaping student behaviours. Key among these are the more restrictive policies that have swept a number of leading study destinations, the rising cost of study and living, access to post-study work opportunities, and even proximity.
As a result, prospective students are exploring a wider range of destinations, including intra-regional opportunities, with Argentina named in a recent UNESCO report analysing global student mobility. In this panel discussion, we look into the factors, both within Latin America and in key study destinations, shaping student decision making. We look at the growth in intra-regional student mobility, the ways in which schools are adapting to support students, as well as some practical tips as to how recruitment professionals should be responding to these changes.
With an economy that has grown, on average, by 3.5% a year for the last 15 years, Colombia is a leading outbound international student source country. With the most recent figures showing at least 75,000 Colombian students abroad in higher education and the likely number of students abroad closer to 100,000 once English Language studies are factored in, it is clear that Colombia is an important strategic destination for international student recruitment professionals.
However, it is crucial not to underestimate the importance of making personal connections. A recent report from EdCo LATAM highlighted the fact that, to effectively reach Colombian students, it is necessary to form long-term connections with the country and with trusted local agents. Even in the era of AI, agents are responsible for around 60% of all student placements - a higher proportion than in Mexico or Brazil - highlighting the need for a tailored approach to recruitment.
In this presentation, we explore:
The latest figures show how many Colombian students are seeking study abroad opportunities and at what levels
Key study destinations for Colombian students
Colombian student preferences
Strategic tips for marketing programmes effectively in Colombia
10:30 - 10:55Seminar room
Market update: Argentina
Presentation
Argentina is an important, if niche, international student recruitment market. With public universities providing free courses, there is less incentive for undergraduate students to seek opportunities abroad. However, while it has fewer outbound students than Colombia or Brazil, there is a sizeable pool of highly educated prospective students seeking specialist, postgraduate opportunities.
For recruitment professionals, the key to marketing programmes effectively in Argentina is to avoid mass marketing approaches, focusing instead on targeted campaigns and the forging of personal connections.
In this market update, we look at:
The latest data on popular postgraduate programmes
Key study destinations
Argentina’s emergence as a study destination in its own right and how this may affect recruitment
Strategic tips for recruitment professionals looking to engage the Argentine market
11:00 - 11:25Seminar room
Market update: Brazil
Presentation
Alexandre ArgentaPresenterPresident, Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association (BELTA)
Brazil remains one of the most important source markets in international education, sending students abroad in growing numbers and supported by an increasingly professional agent sector. Drawing on the latest BELTA International Education Market Survey (conducted February–April 2026), this session offers attendees an in-depth look at current outbound market dynamics — from student demand and visa trends to affordability pressures and the evolving role of agents in guiding Brazilian students toward international study destinations.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where the Brazilian outbound market stands today, the opportunities it presents for destination institutions and recruiters, and how to position their offerings to engage Brazilian students and their agents — followed by a Q&A to explore the findings further.
12:00 - 12:55Seminar room
Latin American student preferences: Key study destinations in an evolving landscape
Panel discussion
Latin America is a vast, diverse international student source region which, as a whole, is projected to show growth across the next five years. However, while interest remains high in the traditionally popular study destinations, a range of factors are reshaping student behaviours. Key among these are the more restrictive policies that have swept a number of leading study destinations, the rising cost of study and living, access to post-study work opportunities, and even proximity.
As a result, prospective students are exploring a wider range of destinations, including intra-regional opportunities, with Argentina named in a recent UNESCO report analysing global student mobility. In this panel discussion, we look into the factors, both within Latin America and in key study destinations, shaping student decision making. We look at the growth in intra-regional student mobility, the ways in which schools are adapting to support students, as well as some practical tips as to how recruitment professionals should be responding to these changes.
Sunday, October 4Monday, October 5Tuesday, October 6
