A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate nutrient intake, food frequency patterns and nutritional status among 118 international Arabic students from two South Indian universities aged between 20 and 40 years. The Arabic students primarily comprised of African and Asian Arabics. Information was gathered through interview aided by food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hour recall method. Anthropometric data were used to determine the nutritional status. Results revealed a depressing pattern of food consumption such as frequent skipping of breakfast and meals, eating out and snacking. Except for milk and milk derivatives, practically all food groups were found to be under-consumed on a daily basis by a larger percentage of students. Asian Arabics consumed more beverages and bakery items compared to African Arabs. Body weight and BMI did not change after migration. The daily mean nutritional consumption for numerous nutrients in the current study was much lower than that of recommended intakes. The diets of African and Asian Arabs relocated to India for the purpose of studies is inadequate in key nutrients such as energy, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. The primary factors affecting student intakes were self-cooking, time restraints, academic stress and non-adherence to south Indian diet patterns. Universities should work to create initiatives that lessen the effects of dietary acculturation, monitor dietary intake and nutrition status as a pivotal stratagem towards preventing malnutrition.