ABSTRACT
Psychosocial factors play an important role in the academic trajectories of all students, and some factors, such as motivation, have been identified as critical in promoting outstanding academic achievement. For international students, the academic trajectory can be complicated by issues of adjustment and belonging. This chapter traces the journey of an international student of African descent from the Caribbean region. It highlights issues of importance in the student's academic journey using his poetry across the years interpreted through the lens of research findings on issues that affect the adjustment of international students. One of the factors that is not always considered when thinking of international students is that of climate. Several researchers identified relationships and community as important themes in understanding the adjustment of international students. The literature on international students of African descent in the United States suggests that these students often do not understand the perspectives of African Americans and are not understood by African Americans.
