final presentation

Running head: FINAL 1

FINAL 10

Final Research Paper

Reshma Shrestha

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Introduction

Education in the United States is advanced due to the high level of resources in the country. As it is already a developed country, the kind of studies carried out in all levels of academic work is much enhanced compared to other countries. Moreover, the development of technology has made new resources to be used in the educational sector. Some of these resources are not available in other countries; hence, students migrate to the US for further studies. Besides, the curriculum in the US is different such that compared to some other countries, the students take a short time to complete their course. This creates a reason for the students to move to the US for academic purposes. As a result, different students from different countries meet in the United States for education. This creates a situation in the US where there are international students in the various education centers. Since the international students are from different backgrounds, they get different experiences in the new environment. This research paper contains the expertise of Nigerian students in US higher education.

Discussion

Background of Nigerian students

Since people come from different backgrounds, they have another way of living depending on their values and daily activities. According to Hofstede's cultural dimensions, it is simple to tell the value dimensions of a group of people or individuals. Identity is one of the dimensions that depicts the attention an individual or a group of people can have towards the need of another person or another group ("Value Dimensions of Culture," 2021). Likely, identity reveals the attention of a group of people or individuals towards their achievement or group achievement. In Nigeria, most of the citizens consider their personal needs. This can be argued that the standards of living in the country are high, and each person strives to fulfill their own needs. Achievements as a group may not be helpful to the people since everyone needs their share. Power is a dimension that refers to the strict maintenance ad following rules that mold the connection of people. Nigerian citizens have strong regulations that help them develop respect for each other, mainly the elders.

The dimension of gender represents the practice of people where they believe specific roles should be carried out by a particular gender, either female or male. In Nigeria, it is thought that the females are primarily associated with the house chores while the male is responsible for their families to cater for their needs. The uncertainty value dimension determines whether a group of cultural people is oriented towards certainty or ambiguity. Nigerian residents are very firm with their values; hence this makes them concerned with confidence. Value dimension off time tells how an individual or a group of people are concerned with the future or the past. The citizens of Nigeria are much oriented since they always work to make a successful life in the future.

Challenges of Nigerian students in the US

Nigerian students go to have their studies in the United States because the education system in the US is better compared to their country. However, while in the US, they meet with other students from other countries and US citizens. The challenge comes in when a single Nigerian student is in an institution where all the students are foreign. Making friends becomes a problem since they fear the unexpected outcome ("Problems faced by international students in the USA - OYA School," 2021). Likely, most of the students from the US are not welcoming and friendly; hence the Nigerian students end up being afraid of making the first move. A financial crisis is a challenge that most Nigerian students experience in the United States since most of them are not from wealthy backgrounds. Most of them got the chance to study in the United States due to the issued scholarships. Raising money to cater to their daily upkeep is a challenge since they are in a new environment. Likely, they lack friends to help them on how to earn a living in the US.

The new education system in the US is a challenge to Nigerian students since it is much advanced than the one they were already used to in their home country. This makes them take a long time to understand the programs in the institutions. The assignments and paper writing in the US program make the Nigerian students struggle with the system. The language barrier is the main problem experienced by Nigerian students since they are exposed to the language in their country. Most of the Nigerian students from the rural areas speak with the Nigerian accent, which makes them shy off speaking in front of the new students. Likely, the American students talk too fast for the Nigerian students to understand. Also, the Nigerian students are not familiar with the foods in the US; hence they lack the local tastes from their home country.

Culture and interaction with American students

Nigerian students travel to the United States hoping to expand their academic knowledge and general knowledge of the world. However, they meet unexpected situations in the new environment. The cultural practices in Nigeria differ from the way of living in the US. However, not all Nigerian student s have the challenge in adapting to life in America. Most of the affected students include those who went to the country without any idea of what is expected to happen. Hence, they feel uncomfortable and even more confused since they do not know whether to behave like Nigerians or Americans. This creates a hard time interacting with the American students. In situations where there is work assigned in groups, the Nigerian students feel uncomfortable joining the groups with the American students. They develop the attitude that they are minor to the American students and that they will be despised. This creates a challenge to the Nigerian students due to the methods of learning used in the United States.

Values and benefits of Nigerian students in the US

It is proved that there are benefits of recruiting students from other countries to take their studies from the United States. For instance, allowing Nigerian students to get their education from the US contributes to developing a diverse campus environment where the rest of the students from other countries and America will learn the cultural practices from Nigeria. This will give all the students the chance to learn and understand themselves and the world they live in. Likely, students from different countries, including the Nigerian students, make learning better and simple since they share different experiences. Moreover, universities have always wanted to meet students who excel in certain areas academically (Ford, 2021). Therefore, Nigerian students being recruited in the US universities helps to attract the best of the best.

Communication style

The communication style between the Nigerian students and the American students differs due to how the students respond to various situations in the environment. Likely, the interpretation of action or message creates a difference in the style of communication. Some of the actions that an American student can do may appear rude to the Nigerian student and vice versa. This creates a barrier to the communication between Nigerian students and American students. Alternatively, the Nigerian students may decide to learn the foreign language used by the American students to create a better understanding of their communication. However, the fear of failure negatively affects the Nigerian student s and end up having a challenge communicating to the American student. Additionally, there are terminologies that the American students can use while talking, and they end up appearing as abusive expressions to the Nigerian students.

Stereotype and racism

Due to the difference in nature of the American students and the Nigerian students, there are chances that stereotypes and racism may occur in their interaction. The American students might believe about the students from other countries, which is not valid. Most of the American students are proved to think that Nigerians practice a lot of witchcraft in their country out of the acting movies produced in the country. However, that is not the case since what they see is not actual life ("Race, Racism, and International Students in the United States," 2021). This affects the Nigerian students in the US since they feel insecure amid the new students who already conclude wrong things about them. Most of the Nigerian students who are aware of the stereotype end up hiding their real identity to avoid experiencing the negative attitude from the American students. The belief that the countries in Africa are poor take over the thoughts of the American students associate the Nigerian students with poverty.

Due to the skin color, the American students discriminate against the Nigerian students and avoid having any relations with them, including in the class set up. This makes Nigerian students experience difficulties in various sectors as they are afraid of consulting the American students and getting the worst outcomes. Discrimination in the American institutes extends even to the professor, the university staff member, and students from other classes. In such an environment, it is difficult for Nigerian students to concentrate on their studies and quickly get what they require to make the learning process easy. There are scenarios where the professor denies examination marks to Nigerian students just because they come from another background. The names of the students from Nigeria appear to be funny to the American students. They laugh at them whenever they learn about a Nigerian student's name; hence, Nigerian students feel embarrassed.

Acculturation process

Culture shock is familiar to international students since they are from different backgrounds. However, there are stages that Nigerian students can go through to adapt to the new environment. The first stage is the Honeymoon stage, where the students experience a hard time understanding American students' language, getting used to living with the white neighbors, and having American foods. At this stage, the students begin to desire their life in their home country ("The 4 Stages of Culture Shock", 2021). The second stage is the frustration stage, where the Nigerian students experience the most challenging time in the US. This is because the people in the country might not be welcoming and, worst of all, miscommunication with the American people. The third stage involves the adjustment stage, where the international students make friends who help them out in times of difficulties. The acceptance stage is the last stage which happens after an extended stay in the US. The Nigerian students get used to the environment though they do not fully understand the new cultures.

Social and cultural identities

Taking studies from America can indeed force a student from another country to see or understand the world differently from the usual one. The social life of the student changes influenced by the host country. The way of living modifying transforms into the American culture. From the mode of dressing, the international students behave like the American students. Most of the time, they do not adapt to the culture in the host country willingly. Circumstances force them. For example, it is not simple for the students to study when hungry, so they have to eat American food ("Understanding Culture Shock in International Students", 2021). The cultural identities of the Nigerian students end up being underestimated since they have to behave like the American students.

Influence of social media

Currently, everyone is exposed to social media platforms. When international students get access to social media, it is advantageous to them since they can learn a lot of things from the press (Patwal, 2021). They can find academic materials to help in their studies. Likely, social media contains inspirational sources, and hence they end up being helpful to the international students. In situations where the students require to find directions to a particular place, they can get the laws to form social media. Besides, since international students may not have traveled to the US with their relatives, social media can help them communicate while still distant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, international students in the United States experience a lot, as discussed, that changes their usual way of living. Cultural practices in their home country vary with the way of life in the US, and hence, they take a long time to adapt to the new living styles. Though with such challenges, they end up accepting the new environment. The language barrier is one of the main challenges the Nigerian students experience since their communication styles are different. However, it is of benefit recruiting international students to study in the US since the students from America and other countries get to understand different cultural behaviors and the current world. It is likely to share different experiences in life since the students are from different parts of the world. Due to the increase of international students in the US, it is advisable to develop welcoming strategies for the new students and campaign against stereotypes and racism. The international students are embarrassed during their first days in America because it is a unique environment for them. With the help of social media, international students can get the information they want at any time.

References

Ford, R. (2019, May 30). 4 Benefits of Bringing Foreign Students to Study at American Universities. FordMurray Law. https://fordmurraylaw.com/4-benefits-bringing-foreign-students-study-american-universities/.

Learning, P. (2019, March 11). The 4 stages of culture shock. Retrieved April 20, 2021, from https://medium.com/global-perspectives/the-4-stages-of-culture-shock-a79957726164

Patwal, S. (2020, August 18). 13 Positive And Negative Influences Of Media On Teenagers. MomJunction. https://www.momjunction.com/articles/positive-and-negative-influences-of-media-on-teenagers_00107975/.

Problems faced by international students in the USA. (2019, April 08). Retrieved April 20, 2021, from https://oyaschool.com/problems-faced-by-international-students-in-the-usa/

Race, Racism, and International Students in the United States. Nacada.ksu.edu. (2021). Retrieved 17 April 2021, from https://nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Race-Racism-and-International-Students-in-the-United-States.aspx.

Understanding Culture Shock in International Students. Nacada.ksu.edu. (2021). Retrieved 17 April 2021, from https://nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Understanding-Culture-Shock-in-International-Students.aspx.

Value Dimensions of Culture. Saylordotorg.github.io. (2021). Retrieved 17 April 2021, from https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_leading-with-cultural-intelligence/s04-11-value-dimensions-of-culture.html.