Graduate Program
College Student Affairs
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
Fall 2020
Thesis Director
Richard L. Roberts
Thesis Committee Member
Angela Glaros
Thesis Committee Member
Krishna Thomas
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.
Recommended Citation
Daniels, Denver, "Adjustment to Life in America: Black African Graduate Level Students" (2020). Masters Theses. 4842.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/4842
Included in
Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons
