Graduate Program

Communication Studies

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

Spring 2026

Thesis Director

S. M. Walus

Thesis Committee Member

Claudia Janssen Danyi

Thesis Committee Member

Josh Grube

Abstract

For many African students, studying in the United States begins with hope but often leads to confusion, isolation, and unmet expectations. This creative thesis presents International Students Experience Show, a 26-minute television shows designed to prepare African students for the realities of studying in the U.S. Grounded in Uses and Gratifications Theory, the project positions media as an active tool for empowerment through storytelling, practical guidance, and emotional engagement.

The series addresses key challenges, housing, transportation, mobile communication and daily life experiences through a hybrid format of personal testimonies, panel discussions, expert interviews, and field segments. Featuring nine African international students, it highlights the gap between expectations and lived experiences while offering strategies for adaptation.

Ultimately, the project demonstrates that media can serve as both an educational resource and a platform for community-building, reimagining pre-departure orientation as a more human-centered and empowering process.

Additional Files
Prospectus International Students Experience Show.pdf (303 kB)
Thesis Prospectus

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