Exploring social distance of Iranian students from international students: a preliminary survey study

Although numerous studies have explored social distance in health, community, and intergroup relations, relatively few have examined how host students perceive international peers within higher education. This study investigates social distance between Iranian and international students at a major university. The target population included approximately 11,000 domestic students across faculties and academic major s, from which a stratified random sample of 378 was drawn using Cochran’s formula with a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level. Data were collected through the Bogardus Social Distance Scale (BSDS), which was cross-culturally adapted, validated, and confirmed reliable in a pilot test (α = 0.891). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA were employed to analyse variations across nationality, age, gender, and academic major. Findings indicate that Iranian students reported the highest social closeness toward Kurdish Iraqi peers (mean = 4.00) and the greatest distance toward Afghan students (mean = 2.60). Gender and age showed no significant effects, but PhD students expressed greater distance toward Kurdish and Arab Iraqi peers compared to undergraduates and Master’s students. Theoretically, the study extends Social Identity and cultural distance perspectives to a non-Western context. Also, it provides a validated BSDS and a stratified sampling design, offering a framework for examining intercultural dynamics in higher education.