University instructors address and want to eschew student academic misconduct. These educators presume that students understand fully what cheating and plagiarism are. However, analyzing this complex and dynamic issue is difficult. This study investigated the perceptions of international undergraduate and graduate students in a Southern U.S. university about the possible causes for academic misbehavior. Results reveal several causal variables: previous learning style, English language proficiency, unfamiliarity with American academic cultures, relationship between student and teacher, and availability of technical and educational resources associated with academic dishonesty.