To live between two cultures for African immigrants in the United States is not only challenging and intricate, but sometimes very amusing. When Africans immigrate to this country, they have to live between the American culture and the African-American culture. Some immigrants are unprepared to deal with the cultural shock.

One of the most challenging issues for immigrant Africans living between two cultures in the United States is communication. Verbal and non-verbal communication can be a nightmare and sometimes comical for immigrant Africans. Some of these immigrants are fortunate to speak English or broken English - albeit with rapid and thick British-African accents. They have to learn to speak slowly, learn different intonations and sometimes the spoken idioms of American English. For instance, they have to learn how to make eye contacts during conversations. In African cultures, there is a limitation of eye contact when addressing an elderly or somebody in power, whereas, in American culture, trust and honesty during communication can be conveyed by proper eye contact. In addition, some American words, idioms or symbols can mean an obscenity when translated to African language or Vice Versa.

In addition, another hurdle that the immigrants Africans encounter is stereotyping. Usually, there are many false generalizations and assumptions about immigrants. Some Africans experience racism and prejudice for the first time. For some immigrants, this first negative experience may be misinterpreted or ignored. For example, the African immigrants have to deal with misunderstanding that they are arrogant and overachievers. In turn, due to their own traditions and values, these immigrants both detest some of the Americans traditions, and will equally unfairly label Americans. For instance, they believe that Americans have no family traditions or that African-Americans traditions are too inferior when compared to theirs.

However, after living in the United States, African immigrants will start identifying and valuing the cultural differences and similarities between the two cultures. Most African immigrants will start adopting the American culture to the detriment of their own culture. They will combine the two cultures to develop themselves socially, academically and financially. Most will intermarry with the Americans, and develop their own new values, beliefs and traditions. These immigrants will even introduce some of the American cultures to their countries. For instance, in African countries, there are rampant emulation and acceptance of American pop culture. Many Africans may even denounce their own cultures. In the end, these immigrants will learn to tolerate and accept these differences.