Latest Articles

Bridging Digital Frontiers in International Education: Blog post from UMS Founder, Jessica Miao

I attended the Asia Pacific Association of International Education Conference (APAIE) in Perth this week, and I wanted to share some important reflections and insights. The discussions at the conference provided a comprehensive view of enhancing the student experience through digital means. One of the key tools we have developed […]

Weighing up the Options; Chinese International Students and Career Paths

We’ve just recently released our Q4 update for our ongoing higher education research at United Media Solution. This article wraps up key points from section 3 of the whitepaper report to provide international education marketers with insights into changing study motivations for their 2024 strategy.   The pandemic has significantly impacted […]

International Education Update: Key takeaways from 2023

We’ve just released our Q4 update for our ongoing higher education research at United Media Solution. This article wraps up key points from the whitepaper report to provide international education marketers with insights for their 2024 strategy.   Key Highlights: Changing Dynamics: Post-pandemic, the motivations for Chinese students seeking overseas […]

Destination Dynamics: Exploring the Preferences in Study Locations for Chinese International Students

Hero Image Credit: Guy Thompson. From COVID-19 to changing economic pressures, choosing an overseas location to complete studies can be complicated. With updated survey data from New Oriental for the 2022-2023 year, we can see several important changes in the overall market for Chinese international students. The opening of borders […]

What is Xiaohongshu, Little Red Book? (China’s Instagram)

This article is part of a series from our latest whitepaper, the China Social Media Platforms Guide. You can download the guide here: https://www.umssocial.com/china-social-media-platform-report/2023?s=blog INTRODUCTION: Xiaohongshu, also known as Little Red Book, uses the slogan ‘Mark your life’, and is aimed at becoming a lifestyle community for young people. It […]

What is WeChat? (China’s “Super App”)

This article is part of a series from our latest whitepaper, the China Social Media Platforms Guide. You can download the guide here: https://www.umssocial.com/china-social-media-platform-report/2023?s=blog INTRODUCTION: Many brands with experience in China have tried promotions on WeChat or have previously operated an Official Account. It’s never too late to start (or […]

What is Douyin? (China’s Sister App of TikTok)

This article is part of a series from our latest whitepaper, the China Social Media Platforms Guide. You can download the guide here: https://www.umssocial.com/china-social-media-platform-report/2023?s=blog INTRODUCTION: Douyin is a shortform video platform that was launched by ByteDance in China in 2016. It has grown to become one of the most popular […]

What is Bilibili? (China’s Answer to Youtube)

This article is part of a series from our latest whitepaper, our China Social Media Platforms Guide. You can download the guide here: https://www.umssocial.com/china-social-media-platform-report/2023?s=blog INTRODUCTION: Bilibili is a Chinese online video-sharing platform that launched in 2009. It has become one of the most popular platforms in China, with over 326 […]

Beyond the Horizon: Unveiling Chinese Tourist’s Top Travel Trends in 2023

As 2023 is ending, we recognise this year as the first rebound-year after the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding trends and how consumers acted throughout this year is a telling sign for the future, showing us where priorities lie in a time of market recovery.  As global travel rebounds in the post-pandemic […]

Back on Track: Mid-Autumn Consumer Spending Picks Up Speed

Visitors to Shanghai crowd onto the Bund for views of light and laser shows across the skyscrapers in Pudong. Photo credit: Guy Thompson This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival fell right before the Chinese National Holiday, making this 8-day vacation one of the longest of the year. As COVID-19 restrictions have […]