“It Just Doesn’t Taste the Same”: International Students’ Perceptions of On-Campus Food and Dining

Meeting the food requirements of international students is one of the many responsibilities of campus dining services that can, if fulfilled well, contribute to the success and retention of these students. Colleges and universities are continuing to diversify their enrollment with the recruitment of international students. Because many of these institutions require first-year students to live on campus, most international students live in residence halls and must purchase meal plans at some point during their collegiate career. The findings of this paper illuminate the food-related experiences of international students living on campus in their first year. Food quality, cultural differences, and the impact on future living decisions are discussed.