A Qualitative Study of International Students' Experiences of Studying At The University of Kurdistan

The narrative experiences of international students from foreign universities have addressed a vital aspect of their studies in international environments. These experiences play an important role in cultural exchange and the promotion of higher education. In addition to raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities presented by a new culture, the academic experiences of international students at foreign universities have been proposed as a crucial step toward internationalizing education. Studying at foreign universities exposes students to a variety of educational environments and provides them with diverse learning approaches, ideologies, and perspectives. This experience not only helps promote individuals' educational and research skills but also has a deeper and broader impact on the cultural and social development of students. The present study provides a comprehensive review of the experiences of foreign students at Kurdistan University. According to the latest 2021-22 results from the USA News Institute, Kurdistan University achieved a ranking of 13th among the country's comprehensive universities and 1434th among the world's leading scientific institutions. The main objective of this study is to understand the meaning of studying and the application methods used by foreign students at the university. As sub-stories, this survey examines in detail the life and educational experiences of students and attempts to understand the different dimensions of education at Kurdistan University from the perspective of students' daily personal lives. Using a narratology approach, this study examined the life experiences of 14 participants selected through Malachi's sampling technique from the foreign student population. To select individuals for this study, criteria such as at least two years of prior study at Kurdistan University were considered, along with experiences and memories to express during their periods studying abroad. To collect data, a narrative interview charter was used in an episodic manner. This type of interview is designed to evoke and retrieve participants' past experiences in the form of short narratives, presented during dialogue. Then, analysis and coding of the interview transcripts were done using the three-step theoretical coding method (open, axial, and selective). The present study also examined the experiences of 14 foreign students at Kurdistan University. Text analysis of the interviews was carried out, resulting in 208 open codes, 34 axial codes, and 10 selective codes. These codes included personal growth, personal skills development, job opportunities, travel and discovery, optimism about studying abroad, collectivization of the academic process, communication barriers, cultural shocks, and challenges to academic reputation. From the participants' experiences, it became clear that foreign students tend to categorize their experiences as either pleasant or unpleasant. Some believe that studying abroad is an unparalleled experience that, in addition to benefiting society and their home country, allows students to foster individual development, explore the new world, develop personal skills, and improve job opportunities. This experience plays an important role in personal growth, improving social and economic conditions, and transforming worldviews across different student societies. The positive economic and social impacts of this experience indicate an investment in the future of students. Promoting individual skills and increasing the knowledge level of these students will not only have personal effects but will also help improve social and economic conditions. Considering the increasing importance of international student recruitment, it is essential to give special attention to the issue of sociocultural integration. In interviews with international students, there are clearly some problems in their connections with Iranian students, faculty, and staff. These relationships are influenced by various cultural factors such as values, traditions, habits, and beliefs. Cultural shock is a fundamental element in this process, arising from differences in values and traditions between the societies of origin and destination. This shock plays an important role in people's interactions with a variety of factors such as climate, language, social roles, behavioral rules, and communicative tensions. In the face of the challenges of cultural adaptation, it is important for the academic community to provide support and facilitation. Positive actions and support from Iranians and the people of Kurdistan toward international students can lead to the creation of dialogue and discussion panels among university community members. These panels not only help to improve the integration process but also help to address issues associated with cultural shock. Another finding indicated that the majority of the international students interviewed expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the attitudes and administrative procedures of the organization. With the increasing importance of attracting foreign students as a national priority and the potential negative effects of any administrative barriers on the future of higher education in the country, it seems necessary for the authorities to provide justification on various aspects of this sensitive subject. It is also recommended to conduct special training courses to improve the communication and cognitive skills of officers. On the other hand, if foreign students' academic institutions are introduced to social regulations, civil laws, and civil rights laws in Iran, these should be seriously considered by the relevant organizations and institutions, including municipalities, immigration police, passport administration offices, and ministries of foreign affairs. In some cases, sufficient information about the details of amenities such as dormitories, hostels, student buses, etc. was not provided to international students before they entered the university. This has led to discontent among some students. These students, on the other hand, face considerable challenges and barriers in accessing information and communication technology, all of which relate to the externally-organized problems of Kurdistan University. It should be noted that from the viewpoint of the interviewees, the educational activities of the Persian Language Teaching Center, the abilities of non-Persian speaking faculty, play an important role in conveying a positive image of the university before international students' admission. Additionally, the warm reception of foreign students by people in the region has increased their satisfaction with being present in Kurdistan province. On the other hand, the professional and friendly behavior of many professors and employees at the University of Kurdistan has created a positive impression of the university. Cultural similarities between the people of Sanandaj and a number of neighboring countries have also led to a sense of rapport among the students. Given the increasing population of international students and the growing competition among countries to attract these students, the authorities of higher education in Iran must pay special attention to providing adequate conditions for the sociocultural integration and residency of international students. This is because international students can serve as sources of future skilled labor.