There have been many instances when I’ve been reviewing
candidates for the in-country representative (ICR) roles, and I notice a common
perception. Most of them see the glamour.
They think of travel opportunities, regular flights, stating
at premier hotels, fancy food, attending events, conducting trainings, meeting
students and parents. On the surface, it seems exciting, even simple. Something
they feel they can easily manage.
But what often gets misunderstood is the level of commitment
and sacrifice behind the role.
ICR professionals are practically living out of suitcases,
moving from late night hotel check-ins to early morning starts, constantly on
the road. Their days are packed with multiple agent visits and trainings,
school visits, counsellor meetings, conducting seminars, in-between booking
appointments, following up with students late into the evening, hosting
webinars, and managing multiple academic visits in a year, all while ensuring
every interaction is meaningful and aligned to larger goals.
Behind the scenes, the role involves constant number
crunching, managing budgets, planning travel, responding to student queries
daily, and preparing detailed reports daily, weekly, monthly, and intake wise,
while continuously aligning with targets and reviewing performance metrics.
It is a role that looks exciting, and it truly is, but it
requires serious commitment.
They are away from family and their kids for a large part of
the year. The role demands them to be out most of the time, not sitting in an
office. And despite putting in all this effort, success is not always
guaranteed. The whole ecosystem is unpredictable, and even when everything is
done right, agreed targets may not always be met.
Recently, I came across something that really stayed with
me. It was a small letter written by a child to his father after he returned
home from continuous travel. The note simply spoke about how much he was missed
and how long the days felt when he was away. It was innocent and heartfelt, but
it made me literally cry in real sense. It reminded me that behind every
frequent flyer and every packed schedule is a family adjusting quietly in the
background. That moment genuinely made me reflect more deeply on the human side
of this profession and pushed me to share these thoughts.
That reality can affect well-being.
At the same time, discipline and ethics are non-negotiable.
An ICR represents a university and an organisation that has entrusted them with
its reputation. Their approach, the information they provide and the way they
position the offerings directly impact students’ futures. Any misinformation or
careless communication can damage credibility and affect students in serious
ways. Integrity in this role is essential.
This is why it is important that ICR professionals are
supported and appreciated regularly. Sometimes support is simple, a call to
check-in, offering practical help, providing additional resources to reduce
workload, or introducing technology that makes daily activities like travel
management and reporting more efficient.
When I joined Gresham Global as Head of Business Operations,
I was grateful to see many of these systems already in place. Having accessible
support and operational structure makes a real difference.
To aspirants considering an ICR career, my advice is simple.
Do not underestimate the effort it takes to be good at this role.
It is rewarding and impactful.
But it requires resilience, discipline, adaptability, and
integrity.
The excitement is real.
So is the responsibility.