Perceived Intercultural Communication Challenges and Training Needs in an International Medical Education Context: A Survey of English-Speaking Students in Poland

The increasing internationalization of medical education has resulted in culturally diverse learning environments. Effective intercultural communication is essential for academic success and future clinical practice; however, medical students studying abroad may face communication challenges related to language, cultural norms, and ethnocentrism. Purpose : This study aimed to examine English-speaking medical students’ self-reported intercultural communication challenges while studying in Poland, their perceptions of communication competence within the academic environment, and their perceived need for intercultural communication training. Additionally, students’ awareness of potential intercultural challenges in future physician–patient interactions was explored. Methods : A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted among first- and second-year English Division medical and dental students at Wroclaw Medical University. Data were collected between January 2021 and March 2023 using an anonymous online questionnaire administered via Google Forms. The survey included closed-ended Likert-type items and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were thematically categorized. Results : A total of 180 students participated. The most highly rated challenges related to studying in Poland included organization of classes (M = 5.09), separation from family and friends (M = 4.75), curriculum structure (M = 4.72), and language barrier (M = 4.60). Communication competence of teaching staff was rated between “near sufficient” and “sufficient” (M = 2.95). Verbal misunderstandings were frequently reported in interactions with teachers (48.0%) and with the local population (76.6%). More than half of respondents (54.4%) reported experiences of prejudice related to nationality. Most students (74.4%) indicated a need for formal intercultural communication training. In anticipated intercultural physician–patient interactions, verbal misunderstandings (83.9%) and differences in decision-making styles (approximately 60%) were most frequently reported. Conclusion : English-speaking medical students studying in Poland report significant intercultural communication challenges and a clear need for structured intercultural communication training. At the same time, the findings suggest that studying medicine abroad may serve as an effective form of experiential training, helping students develop awareness, reflexivity, and communication skills relevant to working with culturally diverse patients. When supported by appropriate educational frameworks, international medical education may therefore contribute meaningfully to preparing future physicians for intercultural patient care.