Analysis of the Lived Experiences of Elite Migrant Students Regarding the Value Systems of Their Host Universities

Authors
mahdi Tikani 1
MohammadReza Nili Ahmadabadi 1
Hamidreza Safavi 2
1 Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
10.61838/KMAN.IRPHE.32.2.6
Abstract
Core and key values in every university are an inseparable part of academic culture. While values articulated in official university documents represent one dimension, another dimension consists of the values perceived and experienced by students. The present study aims to explore the value system perceived by elite international students by analyzing their lived experiences within the universities they attend. This research is qualitative in nature and follows an interpretative phenomenological approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 elite international students, and thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Based on the framework proposed by Attride-Stirling, the analysis was conducted at three levels: basic themes, organizing themes, and global themes. The overarching global theme of "experienced university values" encompassed four organizing themes: scientific and research values, educational and learning values, social and relational values, and economic and career-oriented values. The findings of this study revealed a relative alignment between the values perceived by students and those articulated in the official documents of selected universities. In this regard, it is recommended that universities in Iran operationalize key values identified in this research—such as emotional support for students, stronger university–industry collaboration, diverse learning models, and the efficiency and quality of research—in order to bridge existing gaps and enhance the overall academic environment.
Keywords
Lived experiences
University values
Elite international students
Thematic analysis
Subjects
Alipour Hafezi, M. (2024). Expectations of upstream documents from the higher education system. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 30(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.61838/KMAN.IRPHE.30.2.1
Alizadeh, M. (2022). Identifying the Core Values of Universities (Case Study: Amin University). Culture in Islamic University, 12(42), 205-223. https://ciu.nahad.ir/article_977.html
Altbach. (2007). Academic freedom: International realities and challenges. Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789087903596
Aminnibag, A., & Salimi, J. (2025). Qualitative Analysis of Faculty Members' Perceptions of Creative University: A Path to Educational Innovation. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 31(2), 45-66. https://doi.org/10.61838/KMAN.IRPHE.31.2.3
Asghari, F. (2022). A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Iranian Students as International Students. Journal of Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 12(24), 365-394. https://www.icsajournal.ir/article_146051.html
Attride-Stirling, J. (2001). Thematic networks: an analytic tool for qualitative research. Qualitative Research, 1(3), 385-405. https://doi.org/10.1177/146879410100100307
Audretsch, D. B. (2014). From the entrepreneurial university to the university for the entrepreneurial society. Journal of Technology Transfer, 39(3), 313-321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-012-9288-1
Baghershahi, S., Taleb, Z., & Sadeghi, A. (2023). Students' Lived Experiences of Virtual Education Culture in Higher Education. Journal of Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 14(27), 171-196. https://doi.org/10.22034/hecs.2023.178418
Beytekin, O. F., Dogan, M., & Beytekin, O. (2010). The Organizational Culture at the University. International Journal of Educational Research, 1-13. https://ijer.inased.org/files/4/manuscript/manuscript_34/ijers-34-manuscript-151255.pdf
Bogers, M., Chesbrough, H., & Moedas, C. (2018). Open Innovation: Research, Practices, and Policies. California Management Review, 60(2), 5-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0008125617745086
Bondarenko, O. R. (2022). Higher Education Goals and University Ranking: Random Variables? Journal of Education and Development, 6(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.20849/JED.V6I1.978
Borhannejad, P., Salimi, G., & Mohhamadi, M. (2022). Analyzing the lived experiences of doctoral students' study opportunities abroad. Iranian Higher Education, 14(1), 24-42. https://ihej.ir/article-1-1693-en.html
Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Harvard University Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429306419-82/distinction-social-critique-judgement-taste-pierre-bourdieu
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Brennan, J., King, R., & Lebeau, Y. (2004). The role of universities in the transformation of societies: An international research project. Centre for Higher Education Research and Information/Association of. https://oro.open.ac.uk/6555/
Breznik, K., & Law, K. M. Y. (2019). What do mission statements reveal about the values of top universities in the world? International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 27(5), 1362-1375. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-08-2018-1522
David, T. (2024). Elsevier & Eindhoven University of Technology Collaborate to Explore the Future of Higher Education.
Eghdampour, R., Keshtiaray, N., & Esmaili, R. (2020). Student's experiences of Social Responsibility in the university. Journal of Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 10(20), 237-264. https://www.icsajournal.ir/article_99706.html
Estepp, C. M., Velasco, J. G., Culbertson, A. L., & Conner, N. W. (2017). An investigation into mentoring practices of faculty who mentor undergraduate researchers at a Hispanic serving institution. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 16(4), 338-358. https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192716661906
Farahi, M. M., & Beigi Nasrabadi, F. (2023). University and industry: From contracting relations to strategic partnerships; providing strategic role model in university-society relations. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 26(1), 97-122. https://journal.irphe.ac.ir/article_702995.html
Gamage, K. A. A., Dehideniya, D. M. S. C. P. K., & Ekanayake, S. Y. (2021). The Role of Personal Values in Learning Approaches and Student Achievements. Behavioral Sciences, 11(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/BS11070102
Giddens, A. (1990). The Consequences of Modernity. Stanford University Press. https://voidnetwork.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/The-Consequences-of-Modernity-by-Anthony-Giddens.pdf
Gover, A., Loukkola, T., & Peterbauer, H. (2019). Student-centred learning: approaches to quality assurance. European University Association.
Hendrickson, R. M. (2023). Academic leadership and governance of higher education: a guide for trustees, leaders, and aspiring leaders of two- and four-year institutions. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Academic-Leadership-and-Governance-of-Higher-Education-A-Guide-for-Trustees-Leaders-and-Aspiring-Leaders-of-Two--and-Four-Year-Institutions/Harris-Lane-Sun-Baker/p/book/9781642674095
Horrocks, C., Brooks, J., & Horrocks, C. N. (2018). Interviews in Qualitative Research. https://books.google.com/books/about/Interviews_in_Qualitative_Research.html?id=ZdB2DwAAQBAJ
International Center for Academic, I. (2021). The fundamental values of academic integrity. International Center for Academic Integrity.
Javaadpoor, G. H. (2020). Analysis of differentiation between scientific and non-scientific values. Sophia Perennis, 16(36), 107-136. https://doi.org/10.22034/IW.2020.210977.1387
Klein, J. T. (2010). A Taxonomy of Interdisciplinarity. In The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity. Oxford University Press. https://gf96online.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fccnegf-e-transformative-dimensions-of-adult-learning-18095674-ts96b.pdf
Massachusetts Institute of, T. (2024). MIT Values.
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. Jossey-Bass. https://books.google.com/books/about/Transformative_Dimensions_of_Adult_Learn.html?id=4xmfAAAAMAAJ
Mohammadi, M. (2022). Analysis of Farhangian University students' lived experiences of religious life. Pouyesh in Humanities Education, 8(28), 153-170. https://humanities.cfu.ac.ir/article_2428_en.html
Nosek, B. A., Alter, G., Banks, G. C., Borsboom, D., Bowman, S. D., Breckler, S. J., Buck, S., Chambers, C. D., Chin, G., & Christensen, G. (2015). Promoting an open research culture. Science, 348(6242), 1422-1425. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aab2374
Oecd. (2019). An OECD Learning Framework 2030. In (pp. 23-35). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26068-2_3
Pasandideh, J., Ahmady, G., & Dehghanzadeh, A. (2016). Academic culture and its changes in Iran. Journal of Educational Studies, 7, 22-34. https://nama.ajaums.ac.ir/article-1-43-en.html
Perkins, R., & Neumayer, E. (2014). Geographies of educational mobilities: Exploring the uneven flows of international students. Geographical Journal, 180(3), 246-259. https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12045
Razavieh, A. (2017). Research Methods in Behavioral and Educational Sciences. Shiraz University Press.
Resnik, D. B. (2015). What is ethics in research & why is it important.
Roche, G. (1988). Field of Cultural Studies. Attar Publications. https://doi.org/10.1080/07266472.1988.11449877
Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=DlGhlT34jCUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=Schein,+E.+H.+(2010).+Organizational+Culture+and+Leadership.+%09&ots=-fuX4mSfCR&sig=wkMStCSFDycq39pMN6X1aqW3i5M
Şimon, S., Stoian, C. E., & Gherheş, V. (2020). The Concept of Sustainability in the Romanian Top Universities' Strategic Plans. Sustainability, 12(7), 2757. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072757
Smith, D. (2020). Diversity's promise for higher education: Making it work. Johns Hopkins University Press. https://doi.org/10.56021/9781421438405
Steneck, N. H. (2007). Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research.
U. B. C. Provost, V. P. A. (2025). Academic values.
Zaker Salehi, G. (2018). Issues in Higher Education in Iran. Research Institute for Cultural and Social Studies.
Zhang, X., Zhang, B., & Zhang, F. (2023). Student-centered case-based teaching and online-offline case discussion in postgraduate courses of computer science. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-022-00374-2
 

  • Receive Date 06 March 2025
  • Revise Date 16 June 2025
  • Accept Date 19 July 2025
  • Publish Date 01 July 2026