Abstract

Students leaving their home countries to study abroad is a global phenomenon. African students are not exception to this global practice. Many African students do migrate to Western countries to seek for higher education, a tradition that originated during the colonial rule in most parts of Africa. The colonial government did not promote development of higher education in many parts of the continent. Africa with its rapid population growth could not meet the demands of its higher education due to certain internal and external constraints such as; anti intellectual neo-colonial leaders, economic factors, political instability and influence of the international development agencies like the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Agency (IMF), UNESCO and the OECD countries on the region, all these agencies encourage and promote policies of mass education in Africa with spcific emphasis on primary and secondary education. The aftermath of the popular 9/11 attack on the US had made many Western countries to introduce stringent measures against emigrants and students going to those countries. Malaysia and other countries in Asia took the advantage and invested in international higher education by providing excellent facilities with moderate tuition fees charges attracted many students from other developing countries.  Many students from Africa especially the Nigerians continue to take the advantage provided by the Malaysian higher education sector. Many Nigerian students enrol in various universities and colleges.  One of the most prepared university of choice by Nigerians is the famous and prestigious International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) with its main campus located in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur. This particular study was conducted applying a case study method focusing on Nigerian postgraduate students in order to understand some of the challenges facing them at IIUM Gombak campus.  A sample of 52 students was randomly selected across all disciplines as informants and their responses analyzed. The study found that the students were confronted with several challenges. The major among these challenges were financial, social and cultural adjustments, separation from families, exploitation by some landlords and their agents and stigmatization of Africans by locals due to negative media reports.

Key words: International education, Intercultural challenges and effect of studying abroad.