The Perception of International Students Toward Programs and Support Services Offered by Higher Education Institutions in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States

Historically, the United States has been one of the most popular destinations for international students. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the mobility of international students. As the effects of the pandemic recede, an increasing number of international students will seek to travel from their home countries to acquire an international education. The United States remains one of the premier destinations for international students. With travel restrictions easing, more American universities have increased efforts to recruit and enroll international students. One of the fundamental responsibilities for colleges and universities toward admitted international students is to keep the promises of providing international students with effective support programs and services during their educational pursuits. This study utilized a mixed-method approach to investigate the perception of international students toward programs and support services provided by higher education institutions to facilitate their educational journey. The findings of the study were: 1) International students value programs and support services their universities provide, such as new student orientation, on-campus social programs, off-campus excursions, and continuous academic and immigration advising. 2) International students are eager to contribute to the design and implementation of support programs and services. 3) International students believe that provided programs and support services have a positive contribution toward their overall success as students in the United States. The findings suggest that colleges and universities need robust support services to remain competitive in attracting and retaining international students. Moreover, it is essential to provide international students with well-designed and effectively implemented support programs and services