Mapping research on International Student Mobilities in higher education: Achievements and the agenda ahead

In this comprehensive review, we analyzed nearly 10,000 publications indexed in the Scopus database over the past seven decades using bibliometric analysis and science mapping visualization techniques to delineate the scholarly discourse on International Student Mobilities (ISM) in higher education and uncover significant trends. The findings reveal that the field has a long history with remarkable growth since 2005. English-speaking nations dominate knowledge production, but European and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries have also made noteworthy contributions. Co-citation analyses highlight the interdisciplinary nature of ISM research, drawing from diverse disciplines across psychology, social sciences, and the humanities. Eight prominent thematic strands underpin the foundations of ISM research, with a strong emphasis on exploring international students’ social, emotional, and cultural adaptation within university settings. Implications drawn from these trends provide a nuanced perspective for navigating the terrain of ISM in higher education, offering guidance for future research and policy considerations.