Abstract
Globalization and increased communications have encouraged researchers to engage in international collaborations that enhance their knowledge and opportunities. In this paper, I report the personal experiences, opportunities, benefits, and challenges of international collaboration from Iran through participation in two international research collaborations in leadership topics (ILN project and GLOBE 2020). I describe opportunities for learning, sharing knowledge and meeting diverse groups of people, and connecting to extended academic networks and challenges arising from methodological and logistical issues, political events, institutional support, and the COVID-19 pandemic. I conclude that policymakers and international academic organizations should think about infrastructure and financial support to improve international research interactions and identify how to manage challenges.