If you are a student of color preparing to study abroad, you may find that you have special considerations to take into account as someone who doesn’t fit the blonde, blue-eyed stereotype of what it means to be an American. Your experience overseas may prove to be decidedly different than that of white Americans – in both positive and negative ways.
In sharing their experiences abroad, study abroad participants have remarked on several key themes that shape their experience as a traveler of color.
Questions to Consider
How is my race or ethnicity perceived in my host country?
Has my host family hosted students of color in the past?
Will there be other students of color on the program?
If I am conditioned to being a part of the minority at home, but will be a part of the majority abroad, what will that experience be like? Conversely, if I am conditioned to being a part of the majority at home and will be a minority abroad, what will my experience be like?
What should I do if I face discrimination?
Does my program offer support services for people of color?
How will my intersecting identities impact my experience?
Tips for Planning
Explore your options. Attend a Study Abroad 101 session and/or meet with an advisor.
Meet with Student Success and Community to discuss any questions, concerns, or thoughts you may have.
Be aware that “political correctness” is a cultural norm and will be different from the US. For example, some people might ask explicit questions, want to touch your hair, or make assumptions about you. It is worth considering questions such as:
Do you experience this as curiosity or disrespect?
How will I / should I react if I find something to be disrespectful or offensive?
Consider your national identity versus your racial identity. Sometimes students of color are surprised that their identity as an American eclipses their racial identity. Others sometimes have a difficult time convincing host country nationals they are, in fact, American even though they don’t fit the stereotypical American profile.
Build a support network among other study abroad participants, if possible. Identify allies.
Use your resources to be as prepared as possible in the case of incidents, but don’t go abroad expecting racism and discrimination.
Practice how you would respond and resolve different situations if they occur.
Resources
Managing Black Hair Abroad. A mini-guide for women with afro-textured hair.
Black & Abroad: My Experience in Chengdu, China. A blog written by a University of Florida student who studied abroad with USAC, an App State-approved affiliate program.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This generous scholarship enables students who are often underrepresented in education abroad programming (including students of color) to study abroad.