The transitional and adaptive process of studying abroad for international students is challenging. This study explores the motivation to study abroad (MSA) and the intercultural adaptation (IA) of international Chinese doctoral students (ICDS) at an Italian university by conducting a narrative inquiry approach through semi-structured interviews. Findings included: firstly, MSA has seven selecting principles, including the cooperation policies; social support; personal goals, beliefs, and values; the attraction of Italy; the attraction of Italian university; the doctoral program; Chinese sociocultural and educational system. Secondly, ICDS spans two cultures and experiences cultural disequilibrium. IA's attitudes toward ICDS comprise ideal, involute, Buddhist, and lying flat. Last, this study summarizes a dynamic virtuous and vicious cycle model to explain the role of MSA on IA. [For the full proceedings, see ED631897.]