Recruitment of International Students to U.S. Hospitality Graduate Programs: Students' Perceptions

Abstract

The number of hospitality graduate programs and international students enrolled in these programs increased dramatically in the last two decades. A study of international students was undertaken to explore the major reasons (direct and indirect) that influence international students in selecting their respective hospitality graduate program. The present study looked at the sources of information and the reasons why students chose their respective academic programs. The findings suggest that “friends” was the primary information source and “program reputation” was the major direct reason influencing international students' hospitality program selection. “Safe community” emerged as the leading indirect reason for international students in choosing their respective graduate programs.