International Student Retention and Recruitment: An Empirical Study in Denmark

Currently, there are pronounced knowledge gaps on how countries can effectively recruit and retain international students for domestic innovation and growth, and how policies, initiatives, and immigration programs can be designed to actively encourage and assist in the global race for talent. This research analyzes what factors influence international students' decision to remain in Denmark and how stakeholders (businesses, universities and government) are able to recruit and retain international students and international talents, more generally. Twelve weeks of field research was conducted in Denmark, which included thirty-one interviews. This research combines intersectional feminist institutionalism and actor-centered institutionalism to offer insights into how Danish institutions currently support and/or hinder the ability for stakeholders to recruit and retain international students. Four main themes emerge as specific avenues for Denmark to focus their future policies and initiatives on to best recruit and retain international students and top talent.