A Study On Indonesian Student Satisfaction and Revisit Intention In International Academic Mobility

Abstract

This study aims to examine the influence of physical and social factors—namely physical environment, cost, personal safety, emotional support, ethical conduct, and student–lecturer attachment—on Indonesian students’ satisfaction during international mobility programs, and how this satisfaction affects their intention to revisit the host institution or country to pursue further education. A quantitative approach was employed using an online questionnaire distributed to 202 Indonesian students who had participated in international mobility programs within the past four years. The sample was obtained through purposive sampling, and the instrument was adapted from validated prior studies. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The results show that physical environment, emotional support, and student–lecturer attachment significantly influence international student satisfaction, while cost, personal safety, and ethical conduct do not have a significant impact. Furthermore, international student satisfaction has a strong positive effect on their intention to revisit the host university or country for future academic purposes. These findings offer valuable insights for higher education institutions and policymakers in Indonesia to enhance the quality of student experiences during mobility programs. By strengthening physical infrastructure, emotional support systems, and student–faculty engagement, institutions can boost satisfaction and encourage students to return, contributing to institutional reputation and long-term global partnerships. This study enriches the limited empirical literature on revisit intention among Indonesian international students and provides a more holistic understanding of the key factors driving satisfaction and academic loyalty in global education.