Adaptation challenges of international students at the university of Ghana

Abigail Nana  Asamoah; Doris Akyere  Boateng; Augustina Naami

Abigail Nana Asamoah Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0275-2018
Doris Akyere Boateng Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7939-6164
Augustina Naami Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4399-2500

Keywords: Adaptation challenges, international students, Student support services

Abstract

Globally, the number of international students rose from approximately 2.1 million in 2000 to nearly 6.9 million in 2022. Ghana is home to about 5,416 international students, but they are rarely the focus of research. A few studies that have been done about international students in Ghana were mainly quantitative and mixed methods, which considered communication among students in a multi-cultural learning environment and health-seeking behaviours for malaria treatment. There are not enough studies conducted to understand the adaptation challenges from the international students’ point of view. This study explores the adaptation challenges of international students at the University of Ghana. A qualitative approach was adopted, and twenty–five (25) international students at the University of Ghana were recruited through a purposive sampling technique. Purposive sampling allowed the researcher to select participants based on their qualities and criteria determined by the research purpose. The data was collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews and subsequently analyzed using the seven-step framework analysis. Four (4) themes emerged under this study: 1) language barrier, 2) challenge navigating the environment, 3) financial problems 4) unmet institutional support needs. This study concludes that international students face challenges adjusting to university life in a foreign country, regardless of their country of origin. There is, therefore, a need to provide adequate support for them to adapt successfully to university life.