Satisfactory and Dissatisfactory Experiences of International Students in U.S. Higher Education

Abstract

This research employs critical incident techniques to explore satisfactory and dissatisfactory experiences of international students in U.S. higher education institutions. The findings from the CIT reveal 311 incidents involving 145 international students. Unlike previous studies focusing on U.S. students, the current study found that international students reported more satisfactory interactions than negative. Additionally, international students were more likely to engage in positive word-of-mouth than in negative word-of-mouth. However, within their dissatisfactory encounters, language issues were a significant concern. The findings from this study provide valuable insights for higher education institutions to develop adequate support for international students.