Adjustment to Life in America: Black African Graduate Level Students

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine what challenges Black African graduate students face when adjusting to life in the United States. A secondary concern was to examine what coping strategies were used during the transition. A qualitative approach was used to interview the participants and through coding, develop themes related to their time as graduate students.

This study concluded that there were a number of issues that Black African graduate students face. The students reported that they experienced homesickness, culture shock, and discrimination during their time at school. Specific themes also emerged as to how they coped with these distressing experiences. Students utilized the following coping strategies: 1) support groups, 2) religion, 3) calling home, and 4) food acquisition. The study also found that students expressed shifting perspectives of their surroundings and being “othered” by groups they expected to join.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Richard Roberts (Supervisor)