University of Tehran Provides a Unique and First-Hand Experience of Iran for International Students

University of Tehran has always given prominence to presence and activities of international students through emphasis on development of international relations and scientific diplomacy. In the same spirit, Hedieh Mirzaei, a specialist at UT Public Relations, has investigated concerns of international students and their educational opportunities and challenges at UT in a series of interviews. 

Janice Webster is from Australia, Canberra. This superior international student was graduated from the Australian National University in the field of Middle-Eastern Policies, Cultures and languages with a high grade point average. In 2015, she was admitted in M.A. program of Faculty of World Studies and she managed to graduate in 2018 with average grade of 19.39 out of 20. Following the approval of her request for a Ph.D. scholarship, she is currently studying in Ph.D. program of Faculty of World Studies in the field of Iran-Studies. She has had to work at the department of research and hygiene for six years to be able to afford her educational expenses in Iran and study in her field of interest. 

This superior international student suggests, "UT, as the greatest university of Iran, is the best option to be educated in the field of Iran-Studies. It obviously provides a better opportunity than any university outside of Iran to acquire experience and information about Iran. We learn about various issues on the contemporary Iran from seasoned domestic analysts at Faculty of World Studies and we are given the chance to participate in domestic and international conferences and seminars. For example, lectures delivered by the Islamic Republic ministers and scholars provide useful opportunities to attain knowledge on the contemporary Iran."

She then elaborated on her research activities and asserted, "My M.A. dissertation was on differences and similarities between the third and fourth teams of Iran's nuclear negotiators and it was specially about viewpoints of Iranian political elites on the manner of interaction with the US based on negotiations of special committee to investigate JCPA (2015) and I also discussed whether the Nuclear Deal meant continuation or alteration of Iran's foreign policy." She has concluded in her dissertation that the Nuclear Deal is in fact a pursuance of Iran's foreign policy. 

She then expanded on the quality and manner of educating Iran-Studies at Faculty of World Studies and explained how they investigate political, economic, cultural and religious aspects more than historical ones. She finds it interesting that, in the society and news, she encounters with everything that is discussed in her classes. She also believes that University of Tehran is the best place to be educated in Iran-Studies. 

Janice developed an interest in cultural and artistic Iranian activities, such as Nowruz Celebrations and poetry reading, in Australia through her professors and friends. She had initially planned to study Arabic and then changed her mind and chose learning Farsi in University of Isfahan in 2006. As she found Iranian friends, her command of Farsi improved and started enjoying the Persian lifestyle. 

Janice describes her professors at Faculty of World Studies as being very professional and friendly. She also mentions how helpful her classmates have been in helping her with everything she needed. Janice is interested in the historical architecture of Iran including Safavid architecture in Ardabil and Isfahan. She is hoping to visit more places after the pandemic restrictions. She enjoys using Persian poetry and indirect ironies in daily conversations of Iranians.