Exploring the Lived Experiences of African International Students in Graduate Education in Korea

Among the many students traveling from different parts of the world to Korea for graduate education, African students form the minority. With limited empirical evidence within the Asian context, this qualitative study explores African international students’ lived experiences in graduate education in South Korea in a phenomenological manner. Twelve participants were purposively selected from different universities, at diverse higher education levels, and from different parts of the African continent. The participants described their thematic experiences in relation to distinct lived worlds, including their space, time, self, relations, and technology. Also, the findings indicate that international students contribute immensely to graduate education through the diversity of perspectives they bring to academic learning, research, and multicultural exposure. Nonetheless, students face transitional challenges in their academics and social life. The challenge of learning and using the Korean language within the limited duration of studies can limit the full realization of one’s experience as an international graduate student. The perspectives identified in this study could guide university faculty members, the student affairs department, language learning centers, Korean students, and alumni bodies in maximizing the experiences of international students at the graduate level.