Semester of Graduation

Spring 2024

Degree

Master of Mass Communication (MMC)

Department

Manship School of Mass Communication

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

African international students undergo significant challenges in their cross-cultural adaption in the United States. The cross-cultural adaptation of international students, particularly those from African countries, in a new environment assumes paramount importance due to its direct correlation with their mental and social well-being (Shafaei and Razak, 2016). Furthermore, the mental and social well-being of African international students attending universities in the southern United States has a profound impact on their overall success and overall college experience. This underscores the urgent need for future research to delve deeper into the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of African international students at United States universities, especially in the South. This study aimed to explore the role of communication in the cross-cultural adaptation process by examining interactions between African international students and domestic students at both predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States, while also considering the impact of social media. Specifically, it sought to understand how African international students perceive their interactions with domestic students, how relationships are formed between them, and how these dynamics affect their cross-cultural adaptation. The findings of this study reveal that interactions between African international students and domestic students in the Southern United States are still suboptimal and highlight the challenges that African students face in their daily interactions with their domestic counterparts.

Date

3-28-2024

Committee Chair

Broussard, Jinx

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