Explanation of Non-Iranian Students’ Views on the Quality of Learning Experiences at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Learning experiences help learners achieve educational goals and are usually related to the educational context that occurs in teaching groups, teacher-student relationships, and teaching-learning activities. Objectives: The current study aimed to explain the views of non-Iranian students on the quality of learning experiences at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Methods: This was a qualitative study with the directional content analysis method. The participants were 12 non-Iranian students studying in the last year or before the last year in medicine, nursing, and paramedical faculties of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences who were randomly selected from non-Iranian students for semi-structured oral interviews. The interviews continued until data saturation. Results: After content analysis, 85 initial codes were extracted. Based on the relationship between the codes, 14 subcategories were obtained and placed into 4 main categories. The main categories were available resources, available content, learning flexibility, and the quality of professors’ relationships with students. Conclusions: Based on the results, the quality of learning experiences plays a critical role in effective learning. Paying attention to the experiences and viewpoints of non-Iranian students studying at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences is very important to improve the quality of learning experiences and attract non-Iranian students.