International Medical Students’ Adaptation to University Life in Egypt: A Qualitative Study

Background: Adaptation to university life is a challenging process especially when studyingmedicine. To facilitate and improve the process of adaptation of undergraduate medical studentsduring their university life, different barriers and challenges should be addressed to create aneffective academic and social support system.Objective(s): This study aims to explore the factors affecting the adaptation of international medicalschool students to university life in Egypt.Methods: All first-year undergraduate international students studying at medical school Ain ShamsUniversity were invited to join the focus group sessions. Five focus group discussions wereconducted till data saturation was reached.Results: Our study included 34 international students (Arabs and Non-Arabs). Three main themes,nine subthemes, and thirty-four codes were generated. The motivation theme included: studyingmedicine and studying in Egypt. The acculturative stress theme included: subthemes of culturaldifferences, accommodation conditions, longing for family, and language differences. The students’adaptation to school themes included: the subthemes of successful integration, as well as personal/emotional and academic adaptation.Conclusion: Our study findings highlighted significant issues regarding adapting internationalstudents to university life in Egypt. Academic, cultural, language and accommodation support areessential for successful adaptation and integration into both academic and social life.