The experience of international students in Iran: Investigating the role of cultural affinity in intercultural adaptation of international students of University of Tehran

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Department of South-East Asian and Oceanaire’s Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Social Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Understanding factors affecting intercultural adaptations of international students is very significant. This study aims to investigate the level of intercultural adaptations of international students studying at the University of Tehran, Iran. In addition, it investigates the most important factors affecting intercultural adaption, in particular the article aims to focus on cultural, religious and language affinity. Moreover, personal and psychological characteristics of students as another important factor affecting intercultural adaptation will be examined. The article also investigates the barriers to intercultural adaptations of international students. In doing so, survey was conducted and data was collected among 284 students studying at the University of Tehran. The results show that the level of intercultural adaptation of international students is higher than average. The results also indicates that there is a significant relationship between students' level of intercultural adaptation and their familiarity with the Persian language. It is also deduced from the study that there is a significant relationship between students' level of intercultural adaptation and their religious and cultural similarity between Iran and their host country. The results of the study also indicate that there is a significant relationship between students' level of intercultural adaptation and their personal and psychological characteristics such as positivity, flexibility, resilience, persistence, patience, resourcefulness, controlling emotions, self-confidence, adapting to new situations and building constructive relationships with others.

Keywords

Main Subjects

حوزه موضوعی: ایران

Scope: Iran

References

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Journal of Countries Studies
Volume 1, Issue 2
2023
Pages 185-213

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 January 2023
  • Revise Date: 26 March 2023
  • Accept Date: 27 March 2023

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