European medical schools are recruiting increasing numbers of international students. This study explores the impact of cultural backgrounds and language on the transition of international medical students to the clinical years of their training when they are predominantly based in hospitals and interacting with health professional staff and patients. A mixed-methods study was undertaken, incorporating 31 peer interviews and a focus group discussion and the development and conducting of an online survey (n = 144; 50% response rate). We compared levels of social adjustment and integration between the students on a regional basis. Overall students adjusted well, but there were statistically significant regional differences in social adjustment and integration. The impact of communication difficulties from a language and cultural practice perspective was a dominant challenge highlighted, as was the differences in hospital culture and interprofessional communication norms. International medical students experience many challenges and benefits from studying in a multicultural environment. More nuanced demographic data need to be collected on admission to assist in potentially identifying those who may experience difficulties with academic and daily life transitions. In addition, all students in a multicultural environment would benefit from a program of acculturation for personal and career development.

欧洲医学院正在招募越来越多的国际学生。本研究探讨了文化背景和语言对国际医学生过渡到其培训的临床年的影响，这些生源主要是在医院，并且与卫生专业人员和患者互动。进行了混合方法研究，纳入了31个同行访谈和焦点小组讨论，以及在线调查的开发和实施（n= 144; 50％的回应率）。我们比较了各地区学生之间的社会适应和融合水平。总体而言，学生的适应能力很好，但在社会适应和融合方面存在统计学上的显着地区差异。从语言和文化实践的角度来看，沟通困难的影响是突出的主要挑战，医院文化和专业间沟通规范的差异也是如此。国际医学专业的学生在多元文化环境中学习会遇到许多挑战和收益。入学时需要收集更多细微的人口统计数据，以帮助潜在地识别那些在学术和日常生活过渡方面可能遇到困难的人。此外，