Prospects and challenges of cross cultural counseling in the tertiary learning institutions: the case of the Midlands State University student affairs department

Abstract

This study is in the field of culture and counseling studies. The main focus of the study is on the prospects and challenges of cross cultural counseling at tertiary learning institutions. The research was informed by the culture relativism theory. The research was given impetus by the cultural diversity at the Midlands State University and how it causes challenges to counseling. The researcher discovered that there are challenges that are associated with cross cultural counseling in tertiary institutions. The research also noted the effects of the challenges to the students, counselor and to the Midlands State University. The study was qualitative in nature. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed by the researcher in this study. Data was collected from the members of staff of the student affairs division and students using questionnaires and interviews. The study concludes that communication barrier, conflicting cultural values, lack of counseling experience and knowledge of culture, religion and beliefs, client’s lack of trust in the counseling relationship and mode of counseling used have been identified as the challenges of cross cultural counseling at the Midlands State University.