Identity Reconstruction of Iranian Graduate Students in the US: Aphenomenological Study

This is a qualitative phenomenological study exploring the identity formation of 3 Iranianinternational students in the United States. Accordingly, the students' predisposition towardsIranian or American identity, cultural values and norms were investigated. The impact ofexternal elements in building Iranian international students’ identities was also explored. Tothis end, this paper employed semi-structured interviews as they facilitate a thorough analysisof the interviewees' perspectives and experiences. After the interviews were transcribed, dataanalysis was carried out through an inductive, thematic approach and important themes wereelicited. The emerging themes revealed the positive effect of contextual factors (interactionwith locals, language courses and American organizational behavior) on the formation of theparticipants' identities and opposite perspectives in terms of Iranian vs. American culturalorientation. In conclusion, the study addresses the implications, limitations, and future paths.

Identity Reconstruction of Iranian Graduate Students in the US: Aphenomenological Study Keywords:

identity formation , international students , identity , interview , themes