Interpersonal Communication: Strategies Nigerian Students Excogitate to Cope at Eastern Mediterranean University

Nigerians in Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus have the highest number of international students among all the 95 countries which have students in the university as at 2014/2015 section so it is significant to know how they cope with language barrier. At the EMU, language of instruction is mostly in English. However, society outside speaks Turkish. This study basically deals with interpersonal communication strategies Nigerian students in Eastern Mediterranean University cope with language barrier especially with the people of the host community. This research was carried out in Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus with a total student population of 18000 as at 2014/2015 academic year Fall term. The total number of Nigerian students in the university was 2327 and out of the population 10% was the sample of the research. 240 questionnaires were administered to three faculties of the institution with 80 copies each to Business and Economics Faculty, Communication and Media Studies Faculty and Engineering Faculty. Findings from the data collected via 238 questionnaires that was received shows that Nigerian students use some aspects of nonverbal cues to cope with language barrier and they are; eye contact, hand gestures, signs and symbols, touch, facial expressions, paralanguage. For the verbal aspects, it is found out that they know and use a few Turkish words. They also use google translate when language becomes a barrier. The study resolves that nonverbal cues and verbal communication are very important aspects of communication for Nigerian students. Also, it is observed that the intervention of the new media is a blessing and not a curse to interpersonal communication as many of them use ‘google translates’ to check meanings when language becomes a barrier. Keywords: Interpersonal communication, nonverbal communication, verbal communication, new media