Many universities have instituted intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs to support international students. This qualitative study used interviews to gain insights into the experiences of 8 non-native English speaking (NNES) students who completed an EAP program before they enrolled in disciplinary courses at a Canadian university. We followed and interviewed these students as they studied in the EAP program and then moved through the first term of university to identify how the EAP program prepared them for disciplinary courses. Results of the study illustrate that students' responses to the EAP program were mostly positive; all 8 students reported improvements and increased confidence in speaking and writing as they embarked on university classes. However, the participants reported challenges in their first term of university, including difficulty in understanding lectures, completing more complex writing tasks, adjusting to new expectations, and seeking social or peer support. The participants reported that all these challenges would have been greater had they not taken the EAP courses. Recommendations based on the findings are discussed.