Satisfaction and Comfortability of the International Non-Arab Students at Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University in Their Accommodation Place: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background The growing international educational marketplace attracts students from all over the world. These students bring economic benefits to the host countries and their cultures and languages. However, international students face challenges and have needs and expectations when studying abroad. Comfortability in their accommodation whether it is in official dorms or private places among one of the most concerning challenges. Objectives To measure international non-Arab students’ satisfaction and comfortability level in their accommodation place, and to identify the effect of gender and place of accommodation on the satisfaction and comfortability level of students. Methods A cross sectional study with a total of 119 international non-Arab students were included in the study (42% males, and 58% females), Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire including questions about age, gender, place of accommodation, satisfaction, and comfortability in the accommodation place. Results The mean age of the sample was (19.46 ± 2.02), and 58% of them were females. Most of the study participants lived in rented apartments (53.80%). The mean of the comfortability in the accommodation place was (32.08 ± 6.80). 46 % of the study participants had moderate comfortability in their accommodation. Satisfaction and comfortability in the accommodation place was associated with the gender of the students and the accommodation group (official dorms and private places), P values were 0.032, and 0.002, respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation The satisfaction and comfortability of the international students in the official dorms are lower than in the private places, and this needs more institutional support to improve the students’ experience.