Understanding Why International Student Applicants Choose a Public 4-year Institution

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Higher education has become an increasingly important avenue to develop and build a more academically and socially knowledgeable society. Importance has been placed on constructing institutions of higher learning that will foster a worldly viewpoint and understanding. To do that, many institutions have turned to international student programs to build bridges across continents. While colleges and universities seek to build a strong international student population, provide study abroad opportunities, and increase their faculty research and academic teaching opportunities abroad, economics has become a largely influential reason institutions are seeking ways to internationalize their campus. The combined economic growth and international component will increase higher education institutions’ footings in the global market for sustainability purposes for years to come. In order to stay cutting edge and marketable within the ever-increasing development of higher education institutions, internationalization has been the term used to encompass all aspects of international programs. Internationalization has become an avenue for an institution to foster globalization. In the process, academics have learned to lean on business models and apply them to the academic realm of higher education. The push and pull model has been one of those models; and it looks at factors that push and pull international students to and from institutions of higher education to study. In taking into consideration factors that influence a student’s decision-making process, forms of capital (e.g., economic, social, cultural) are also influential on those outcomes. As academic professionals it is necessary to develop strategic plans to attract international students.