Open AccessStrategies and Initiatives in Acculturation: Voices from Ghana
Author(s) -
Susan Boafo-Arthur,
Dzifa A. Attah,
Ama Boafo-Arthur,
Thomas D. Akoensi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of international students
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.47
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2166-3750
pISSN - 2162-3104
DOI - 10.32674/jis.v7i4.192
Subject(s) - acculturation , narrative , feeling , salient , shock (circulatory) , sociology , study abroad , political science , public relations , gender studies , economic growth , social psychology , psychology , pedagogy , ethnic group , anthropology , medicine , linguistics , philosophy , law , economics
Culture shock and acculturation are salient aspects of any international study trip. Over the years, many institutions have devised several strategies to help international students transition to life in the host country. However, most of these strategies are insensitive to diverse cultural or country specifics. Drawing from Social Learning Theory, this paper provides narratives from four former students from the West African country of Ghana and how they navigated the process of acculturation in their respective host nations. The narratives discuss their feelings during the study abroad trip, some of the challenges they faced, and personal as well as institutional strategies that aided in ameliorating the experience of culture shock. A few recommendations for Student Affairs Practitioners are also provided.