Evaluation of the impact of international academic exchanges on 113 medical students’ academic successes and satisfaction at Université Paris Cité Medical school

Purpose : International mobility is a unique opportunity for medical students to discover new healthcare systems, improve their autonomy, and broaden their medical knowledge. However, concerns about academic achievement have led to fewer academic exchanges in medicine than in other fields. Each year, 40-50 students (out of 800) at Université Paris Cité Medical School (UPC) participate in international academic exchange programs. In this study, we examined the relationship between long-term academic exchanges and students' academic performance, career choices, and satisfaction. Methods : We included UPC students who had completed an academic exchange abroad (Erasmus+ program) for at least one semester between 2016 and 2021 ("Erasmus students"). Their grades on faculty exams before and after their departure were compared to those of their peers ("UPC students"). Their final French national ranking exam (NRE) results were compared to those of UPC students and nationwide. A survey was used to assess their subjective feedback. Results : A total of 113 Erasmus students were included in the study. Of those students, 92.3% completed their international mobility during their third year, and 81.4% completed it for a full academic year. Additionally, 56.2% were in the top two quartiles of their cohort before leaving, and 73.3% were in the top two quartiles the year after returning. From 2021 to 2023, 81 Erasmus students took the NRE. They performed significantly better than the national cohort (median rank: 2,535 vs. 4,502 in 2022; p < 10⁻³) and better than UPC students, though not significantly (median rank: 2,535 vs. 3,502 in 2021; p = 0.058). Nearly all Erasmus students (96%) were satisfied with their experience, and 84% were satisfied with their grades and subsequent career choices. Conclusion : Erasmus students reported very positive feedback about their stay abroad and performed at least as well as their peers academically, if not better. This suggests that the international exchange did not negatively impact their academic achievements. These results should encourage both students and medical schools to increase international academic exchanges during the medical curriculum.