Abstract:
This study examined the psychological and sociocultural challenges in the acculturation experiences of Nigerian Migrants in the United Kingdom. The research was done as a qualitative study and 10 Nigerian Migrants participated in the study. Narrative inquiry approach was used to capture narratives of the participants acculturation experiences in the United Kingdom. Findings shows that the problems the migrants experienced in the United Kingdom were majorly as a result of outrageous expectations they had prior to their travel to the United Kingdom. It was also evident that the participants experienced culture shock, a feeling of discrimination and challenges with making friends in the host culture. Narrative analysis also revealed that the incongruence between the expectations of the participants and their real experiences gave rise to circles of problems such having their emotions suppressed, experiencing achievement anxiety and an experience of psychological disorientation. Conclusions are made that the narrators had challenges with reconciling their previously held cultural values and beliefs with those of the host culture. Recommendations are made that it is important for migrants from one culture to another to have adequate information regarding what is obtainable in their proposed culture and country of travel. |
