International Student Satisfaction: A Comparative Analysis of Student Perceptions, Expectation and Reality, and their Relationship with Recruitment Policies and Approach

International student recruitment is a significant contributor to the higher education sector, with many countries actively seeking to attract international students to their institutions. This study examines the factors affecting the satisfaction of international students studying in the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada. Using a mixed-method research approach, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, attempting to measure the gap between student expectations and perceptions using the SERVQUAL instrument. Analysis identifies eight latent constructs as significant predictors of student satisfaction: accommodation, technology, lifestyle, image and prestige, social orientation, education, settlement, and economic factors. The article highlights the importance of addressing these factors to optimise student satisfaction and provides insights for policymakers in higher education institutions and governments looking to expand the overseas education sector. It is the authors' assertion that new technologies can be used to integrate and monitor the processes of promotion, analysis, application, and recruitment to improve overseas student recruitment processes.Submitted to the Elsevier's The Internet and Higher Education Journa