The background of this PhD research critically examines the gap between recruitment theories and the lived experiences of international students from developing countries studying in Cyprus. Although Cyprus has aimed to become a regional education hub, the international students who arrive in the country, particularly from developing countries, are underrepresented, which indicates that marketing activities, institutional support, and theoretical frameworks of student mobility have not been efficient. The aim is to develop a new theoretical framework to dynamically understand the decision-making and experiences of this particular group of students. The study argues that prevailing models, such as the Push-Pull model and the International Students’ Choice model, do not adequately capture the multicultural, geopolitical, and socioeconomic backgrounds that shape these students' decisions and experiences. A qualitative approach, focused on intercultural competence and ethical integrity, has been used to collect data via conducting in-depth semi structured interviews with 30 students from developing countries and 8 senior officials from Cypriot higher education institutions. There was diversity through purposive sampling. The results indicate some of the most crucial issues, such as the financial strain, vast discrepancies between pre departure expectations (especially of EU benefits) and the reality, cultural adaptation issues, language barriers, and resilience against institutional and social challenges. The study substantiates the robust influence of geopolitics, social inclusion, and institutional inclusiveness on student satisfaction and success. It criticizes the current recruitment and mobility models for failing to support diversity, equity, and parity in academics. As a solution, this study introduces a new conceptual framework that is focused on student resilience and pluralistic orientation. This framework incorporates updated Push-Pull factors through a culturally sensitive and geopolitically 3 conscious model. The evidence-based research makes substantive recommendations regarding the improvement of recruitment and support: marketing to the underrepresented locations, greater pre-arrival visibility, culturally connected support resources, and policy changes grounded in the actual internationalization agenda.
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