A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Academic Experiences of African International Graduate Students Abroad

The purpose of this chapter was to investigate the experiences of two international graduate students from Africa (male = 1, female = 1) as they adjusted to campus life at a Mid-Western public U.S. university where they were pursuing graduate degrees. Establishing social relationships, particularly with students from the host culture, is also among international students’ major concerns. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews that were digitally recorded, phenomenological research was used to investigate the lived experiences of African students and hear each one of their voices. The information was recorded, coded, and reported thematically. Three key themes emerged: social contact, the role of faculty as mediators, and active student participation. Language proficiency and educational systems were two other pertinent discoveries that were made. Despite not being shared by both individuals, these were pertinent to the study's objectives. This research demonstrates that the experience of international students in U.S. university campuses is replete with cultural, social, relational, work-related and linguistic challenges. The findings have implications for internationalization of education globally.