Abstract:

The Polytechnic Institute of Guarda has been receiving several students coming from Portuguese speaking African countries. The closeness of the official language – Portuguese - is one of the reasons that apparently attract the students. They come under a mobility program for international students. These students come from countries such as São Tomé e Príncipe, Angola, Guinea and Cabo Verde.

However, the socio-cultural contexts in these countries are extremely different among themselves and also different from the Portuguese situation. Besides this difference, there are practical adaptations to be considered, namely weather conditions, currency, health habits or background formal education.

Based in the official numbers made public, there is a perception of tribulations/success in the integration of these students. Academic results, integration in students’ associations, participation in recreational habits, observed relationships with classmates, future expectations are some of the criteria perceived as indicators of the integration.

After a contextualization of the city, country and the Institute we are working in and through an analysis of the criteria previously stated, it is intended to draw up some conclusions regarding the multicultural integration of a community of students from Portuguese speaking African countries living in a countryside city in Portugal.

Keywords:

Integration, Portuguese speaking African countries.