Table 2 Frequency and percentage of challenges experienced by international students* (n = 165)
From: Challenges facing international students at Iranian universities: a cross-sectional survey
Below is a list of possible challenges which have been experienced by students at TUMS. Please HONESTLY try to choose the most relevant answer for each item. | Never | Rarely | Neutral | Sometimes | Frequently |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N (%) | |||||
I. Academic challenges | |||||
1. Inability of university staff to speak fluent English | 4(2.4) | 29(17.6) | 26(15.8) | 51(30.9) | 55(33.3) |
2. Changing some polices and rules in the midway of the educational program | 5(3.0) | 9(5.5) | 29(17.6) | 29(17.6) | 93(56.4) |
3. Educational programs do not start and finish in the due time | 23(13.9) | 29(17.6) | 38(23.0) | 32(19.4) | 43(26.1) |
4. Difficulties in publishing articles in the European and American journals | 21(12.7) | 11(6.7) | 72(43.6) | 31(18.8) | 30(18.2) |
5. Lack of English language fluency of some instructors and lecturers | 7(4.2) | 26(15.8) | 35(21.2) | 45(27.3) | 52(31.5) |
6. Poor quality of educational content as well as lack of related assistance programs | 28(17.0) | 37(22.4) | 45(27.3) | 25(15.2) | 29(17.6) |
7. Low level of knowledge, skills and behavior of some professors | 50(30.3) | 44(26.7) | 42(25.5) | 18(10.9) | 11(6.7) |
8. Weak of scientific and educational content in program courses | 44(26.7) | 39(23.6) | 46(27.9) | 20(12.1) | 16(9.7) |
9. The weak international relations between TUMS and other universities (e.g. exchange programs) | 15(9.1) | 17(10.3) | 51(30.9) | 32(19.4) | 50(30.3) |
10. The continuous reduction of scholarships and limited financial support | 8(4.8) | 13(7.9) | 45(27.3) | 27(16.4) | 72(43.6) |
II. Administrative challenges | |||||
1. The poor updating of information given by the university website | 13(7.9) | 15(9.1) | 43(26.1) | 59(35.8) | 35(21.2) |
2. The misleading information provided by the staff which might result in improper decisions made by the student | 15(9.1) | 19(11.5) | 39(23.6) | 49(29.7) | 43(26.1) |
3. Lack of guidance and orientation of the new students at arrival to the country | 15(9.1) | 17(10.3) | 41(24.8) | 31(18.8) | 61(37.0) |
4. The delay in replying to emails and poor online communication | 12(7.3) | 20(12.1) | 38(23.0) | 37(22.4) | 58(35.2) |
5. The low level of awareness and performance of the staff on matters related to the international students | 8(4.8) | 15(9.1) | 32(19.4) | 45(27.3) | 65(39.4) |
6. Poor accountability of university officials regarding international students’ issues | 8(4.8) | 13(7.9) | 32(19.4) | 39(23.6) | 73(44.2) |
7. The time-consuming processes related to the admission and graduation of international students | 14(8.5) | 14(8.5) | 29(17.6) | 39(23.6) | 69(41.8) |
8. Lack of written guidelines, policies, rules and regulations related to the affairs of international students | 18(10.9) | 19(11.5) | 32(19.4) | 42(25.5) | 54(32.7) |
9. Lacking announcement about the new rules and regulations | 10(6.1) | 21(12.7) | 29(17.6) | 34(20.6) | 71(43.0) |
10. Immature administrative system for international student affairs | 13(7.9) | 16(9.7) | 36(21.8) | 39(23.6) | 61(37.0) |
11. Problems in the proposal submission process and dissertation work, and the inconvenient communication with systems like Pajoheshyar and Sipad systems | 12(7.3) | 21(12.7) | 48(29.1) | 44(26.7) | 40(24.2) |
12. Poor access to internet in the university dormitories of international students | 19(11.5) | 29(17.6) | 47(28.5) | 39(23.6) | 31(18.8) |
III. Socio-cultural challenges | |||||
1. Improper communication and coordination among employees in the offices related to the affairs of international students | 7(4.2) | 20(12.1) | 29(17.6) | 50(30.3) | 59(35.8) |
2. The ineffective way of teaching Persian language especially as an educational program language | 31(18.8) | 18(10.9) | 54(32.7) | 30(18.2) | 32(19.4) |
3. Discrimination in communication with international students | 23(13.9) | 22(13.3) | 41(24.8) | 37(22.4) | 42(25.5) |
4. Absence of extracurricular activities which is necessary for mental health and stress release | 15(9.1) | 18(10.9) | 37(22.4) | 47(28.5) | 48(29.1) |
5. Lack of counseling and support system for international students especially on some specific programs such as COVID-19 epidemic updates | 32(19.4) | 22(13.3) | 46(27.9) | 36(21.8) | 29(17.6) |
6. Lack of awareness on cultural diversity which may result in different types of conflict among students | 22(13.3) | 21(12.7) | 60(36.4) | 29(17.6) | 33(20.0) |
7. Lack of orientation sessions on the life outside the campus | 13(7.9) | 13(7.9) | 43(26.1) | 38(23.0) | 57(35.2) |