Abstract

Objectives: This study explores and describes the lived experiences of international nursing students regarding studying challenges. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study. Participants were undergraduate international nursing students who were purposively selected. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 students until data saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using a seven-step Colaizzi method. Results: After analyzing the data four main themes with fourteen sub-themes were extracted. The main themes of the study were "estrangement and confusion in an unfamiliar environment,""new self in a new situation,""inconsistent educational structure,"and "communication as a multidimensional challenge."Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the need for effective interventions to transform and improve the learning environment for international nursing students. Creating a specialized curriculum and recruiting experienced professors and mentors to teach international students, to instruct nursing students in practical environments, are vital solutions. It is advisable to provide preliminary courses for international students to familiarize them with the culture and specific issues in the destination country. It is also recommended that international campuses in universities worldwide review and revise the educational curriculum to help international nursing students better manage the educational and cultural issues that they face when studying abroad and provide care for patients. © 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.