My research project critically examines how Canadian post-secondary institutions recruit Chinese international students, exploring the intricate interplay between media representation, evolving geopolitics, and immigration policy in the international student recruitment practice. This research focuses on one aspect of migration – international student mobility within the post-secondary sector. Through critical lens such as mediatization and Appadurai’s concept of five scapes of globalization, my research aim is to unravel how the practices of international student recruitment are increasingly shaped by media and influenced by broader geopolitical shifts and immigration policies, extending beyond the immediate purview of higher education institutions. Through this examination, the research seeks to shed light on the multifaceted dynamics at play within the recruitment landscape, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in contemporary migration processes.