The United States remains a prominent destination for international students because of its academic reputation, research opportunities, and career prospects. However, international student enrollment has declined in recent years. Guided by Uses and Gratifications Theory, this exploratory study examined relationships among perceptions of destabilizing political rhetoric, media use, information-seeking motivations, risk perceptions, and intentions to study in the United States.

A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 70 current and prospective international students aged 18 years or older. Participants were recruited through nonprobability convenience sampling using online and social-media channels. The survey included Likert-type items measuring enrollment intentions, perceptions of political rhetoric, media exposure, information-seeking motivations, risk aversion, and U.S.-specific risk, plus open-ended questions about educational opportunities, costs, safety, immigration, media information, and social influence. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlations, and multiple regression. Open-ended responses were coded inductively and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns.

Perceptions of destabilizing political rhetoric were associated with greater perceived risk and uncertainty but were not significantly associated with enrollment intentions. Information-seeking motivations showed the strongest statistical association with enrollment intentions. Four qualitative themes emerged: balancing opportunity against uncertainty, evaluating investment and cost, seeking safety and belonging, and navigating uncertainty through information and social networks. The findings show that international students’ decisions reflect both institutional opportunities and a broader communication environment shaped by political rhetoric, media narratives, and interpersonal networks, with practical implications for university recruitment and communication.

Authors:
Nkem Nwankwo, Texas Tech University, United States
Erik Bucy, Texas Tech University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Nkem Nwankwo is a Ph.D. student in Media and Communication at Texas Tech University. His current research examines how political rhetoric influences international students' intentions to study in the U.S.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkemdilim-nwankwo/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

Bookmark