A adaptação do estudante africano a uma universidade brasileira: Relato de experiência

This paper describes an experience report of an international exchange program for undergraduate studies. Available scientific literature on African students’ adaptation to Brazilian higher education institutions yet does not cover all the complexity of the adaptation process. The experience provided by the program demanded the understanding of the adaptation process not only regarding the educational context of the university, but mainly the social context that mediates university experiences. It demanded, por example, the awareness of the sociocultural differences of the African countries. They share adaptive challenges in the university context, but not always united by the continent they have in common. The contact between African students from the program allowed interactions not detailed in the already rare Brazilian literature about the matter. The experiences reported resulted in recommendations for universities and suggestions for research studies about the academic life of foreign students in Brazilian universities.