To most international students, acclimatizing to life in a new place does not merely entail
acquiring a new school system or culture. It may need to alter their communication patterns in
relation to the context. This is referred to as code switching; in which an individual switches
language, tone or speaking style depending on the person he addresses. To learn more about the
same, I interviewed an international student, Nana Kwame Addai, an international student based
in Ghana, regarding the implications of code switching in his day-to-day life.

According to Addai, living in Ghana meant that one had to frequently switch between languages.
“I speak English and Twi,” he said. “At home we mostly spoke Twi, but in school we used
English.” Because of this, switching between languages was already a normal part of his life
before he came to study abroad.

However, the fact that he is studying abroad opened his eyes to how frequently he changes the
method of speaking. “When I talk to people from my country or other international students, I
speak more naturally,” Addai explained. “But when I’m in class or talking to American students,
I change my accent a little so they can understand me better.”

Addai claims that school is the place where he codeswitches most. He is more conscious about
his communication in the presentations, class discussions, and other academic situations. “In
school I try to speak more clearly and more formally,” he said. “You want people to understand
what you’re saying.”

In social environments, he is different. He feels more relaxed in the company of friends back
home and does not worry much about how he talks. “With my friends from home, I just talk
normally,” Addai said. “It feels more comfortable.”