SELECTED WORK: RESEARCH, EVALUATION & INSIGHTS

Rajika Bhandari Advisors

Strategy, Research and Learning for International Education

I offer a focused set of services designed to support institutions, organizations, and individuals in navigating and succeeding in international education. Each area of work is grounded in research, informed by experience, and designed for real-world impact.

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Whether you are looking to design an international strategy, conduct research, build capacity, or navigate your own path, I bring a thoughtful, experienced, and deeply informed approach to every engagement.

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LEARN ABOUT THE ACADEMY

Mark Overmann

Executive Director & CEO

Alliance for International Exchange

"Rajika Bhandari Advisors' commitment to excellence shines through in the research they produce. While working together on a comprehensive impact report on multiple exchange programs, they communicated clearly and proactively, anticipated needs and remained flexible as the project developed, and developed a stellar final product that engagingly blended data and storytelling. Thank you, Rajika and team, for your commitment to compellingly telling the stories of the international education and exchange community!"

StrategY & Advisory
For Colleges, Universities & global organizations

I work with institutional leaders to design and strengthen internationalization strategies that are aligned with today’s realities, while positioning for long-term success. I have worked across 22 countries, and my regional focus is the U.S. and South Asia. My work with partners includes:

International student recruitment strategy, engagement, and support
U.S.-South Asia engagement and partnership strategy through the South Asia International Education Network (SouthAsia-IEN), which I co-founded
Institutional global strategy and alignment
Integrating internationalization across campus priorities

Benchmarking and labor market study, strategic workshops amongst campus leaders, and recommendations for increasing graduate international enrollments in engineering at an R1 university. Strategy, recommendations, and an internationalization approach for a MENA-region/Gulf nation to attract international students. Global expansion strategy for a major international education association, drawing upon organizational data and interviews with global stakeholders. Co-wrote proposal and partnered with an R1 university to develop a fully online internationalization course to facilitate partnerships between U.S. and Indian universities.

research, evaluation & insights
for nonprofits, foundations & mission-driven companies

I design and lead research and evidence-driven initiatives that generate meaningful and actionable insights for the field of international education and other select sectors such educational policy, gender, immigration, and social justice. My research projects often include dissemination through data visualizations, reports, and events such as webinars and panel discussions, as well as dissemination through the press and media. Areas of focus include:

Monitoring and evaluation of programs and initiatives
Impact studies and outcome assessment
Benchmarking, landscape, and labor market analysis
Flagship surveys and research projects
Analysis of global student mobility trends and their economic, social and educational impacts

Led three annual cycles of the only global and comprehensive survey of virtual exchange programs around the world, with accompanying dissemination, reporting and public affairs strategy. Designed and leading a global, multi-year alumni and host impact study of seven flagship international education exchange programs. Led groundbreaking study on visa denials for international students aspiring to study in the U.S., with reporting and extensive media coverage. Developed theory-of-change and multi-year strategy for a B corporation on measuring and reporting its impact on international students, institutions, and broader societal and community impacts.

Why Work With Me:
Five Reasons

01 High-quality Work for Select Clients & Organizations

02 Rigor and Evidence-based Decision-making

03 Thought Leadership Through Compelling Data & Storytelling

04 Unparalleled Global Networks Across Multiple Sectors & Countries

05 Deep Understanding of Global Issues & Working Across Different Cultures & Contexts

Thought leadership strategy

I work with organizations to develop, sharpen, and showcase thought leadership that informs, influences, and advances the field. This includes:

Reports and publications
Translating, synthesizing, and leveraging organizational data
Narrative and content strategy
Guidance on working with global press and media
Speaking and convenings

learning and capacity-building
for institutions, students & professionals

Through the Academy, I offer a set of focused programs that support higher education institutions, international students, and professionals across global education and beyond.

FOR INSTITUTIONS:

Through my Whole International Student Framework, I work with campuses to better support international students and align their efforts across departments. Whether you are looking to pilot a workshop, launch a multi-session series, or embed a comprehensive program into your student experience, the Whole International Student Framework can be tailored to your needs.

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FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & FAMILIES:

Through my Arrive to Thrive program, I provide personalized guidance to help international students successfully navigate the transition to studying in the U.S. and overseas. This is not admissions counseling; it is success-focused guidance for what happens after students arrive.

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FOR PROFESSIONALS:

Through my From Purpose to Practice offering, I also offer workshops and individual coaching designed for global nonprofit professionals, educators, and mission-driven experts who are exploring what's next—and want to do meaningful work on their own terms by establishing an independent consulting practice.

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