International Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences: A Survey about Their Needs and Difficulties

Introduction: International students experience difficult situations in a foreign country that may intensify other problems, which are expected in these situations and may have harmful effects on the potential function of students. As the main problems of international students may vary in different situations, the aim of this study was to investigate the main problems of international students in Iran. Methods: In this cross sectional survey, all international students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences who were in Iran during 2006-2007 were evaluated by a questionnaire consisting of six scoops of educational, psychological, supporting–communication, familial, economical and sociocultural. Results: Problems referred to sociocultural scope had greater mean (2.44) followed by communication problems (2.30) and economical problems (2.16). Conclusion: We suggest that consulting centers should employ experts familiar with international students problems capable of communicating well with international students.