ISTARS Review is a resource for professionals in international student recruitment and admissions, which aims to assist industry professionals to plan recruitment activities, source service providers, and decide which international education conferences to attend.

“In this sector, we all ask each other for recommendations”

Established by the University of Texas at San Antonio director of international undergraduate admissions Jessica Guiver, the site seeks to become a “one-stop shop” for advice.

“My aim is for it to be like a TripAdvisor or Trustpilot for our industry,” Guiver said.

“IE [international education] colleagues around the world can visit the site to learn more about which service or product providers to use and to get recommendations, via the reviews, from peers to help make the decision.”

The review site model is “widely accepted and used”, in industries from cosmetics to travel to household appliances to restaurants, Guiver continued.

“In this sector, we all ask each other for recommendations: where are the best recruitment fairs? What company provides the best service for digital/social media strategy?  Which CRM should I use?  My site simply puts it all in one place, like a one-stop-shop.”

Launched at the end of October 2019, ISTARS Review relies on active engagement and sector professionals are encouraged to leave reviews, Guiver added.

“The companies and organisations listed on the site are ones that I either personally have worked with at some point in my career, those that have contacted me in the past, or those that I know of from conferences or meetings,” she explained.

“I am open to adding new listings, and if someone writes to me to ask to add a company or organisation, I am happy to look into it and add if appropriate.

“It’s only through active engagement, ie. leaving reviews, that this site will really be a useful resource.”