Not Merely A Matter Of Academics’: Student Experiences Of A South African University As Study-Abroad Destination

Abstract

Study abroad programmes attract considerable numbers of American college students; however, very few select an African country as their study-abroad destination. This article explores the experiences of American undergraduates who made the uncommon choice of a South African university as destination for a mid-length immersion type programme. The researcher examined the nature and purpose of, and trends in, study abroad by a literature review; a conceptual theoretical framework comprised theories of cultural adjustment. The qualitative enquiry used semi-structured, diachronic interviews at three critical intervals to obtain data from six purposefully chosen participants who spent a semester at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Key findings indicated fluidity in the stages of cultural adjustment; the role of social networks; the impact of race and gender on adjustment; and reflections on South Africa as a study-abroad destination in retrospect. Finally, the potential of South African universities as study abroad destination for international students is suggested.