Several studies suggest that medical students have relatively high levels of emotional disturbance, such as mental distress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and burnout. Studying abroad is a growing trend in higher education. Culture shock is a form of psychological distress associated with migration. Given the increased mobility for study registered within the EU, there are studies investigating the processes of acculturation of the students as temporary migrants, with particular attention to the field of medicine. However, in Romania there is virtually no research addressing processes of acculturation of temporary immigrants.

The aim of this study was to examine the correlates of depression, anxiety and stress in foreign medical students studying at University of Medicine “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

A total of 300 foreign students from English and French Section, completed 5 self-administered questionnaires: Culture Shock Questionnaire, Social Support Questionnaire, STAI, NEO-FFI and a questionnaire about alcohol, smoking and illicit drug use. 150 Romanian students were used as controls. Data on socio-demographic, family characteristics and living arrangement were also obtained.

The scores for psychological distress symptoms (stress, anxiety and depression) were significantly higher among foreign medical students. Both individual factors, such as previous problems and personality, and more contextual stress arising from medical school and negative life events, combine to determine whether medical students experience mental health problems.

Preventive measures should be taken by medical schools to support foreign medical students, who are at risk for stress, anxiety and depression.