Your Identity Abroad

Issues to Consider

All of us have developed a sense of self based on our own life experience. Much of this is culturally influenced. When you go abroad, people view you differently than what you’ve experienced at home. Many students share that their perception of their own identity changes when they study abroad. Here are some examples:

1. You grew up in a small town in Washington and were a member of the ethnic majority. You study abroad in Thailand, where you are now the minority. Not only will you stand out visually, you will also be seen as the American- not the student from the small town in Washington- in fact, they probably will assume you are from Washington, D.C.!
2. You grew up in an area of the US where you were a part of the minority population.  You study abroad in Japan which is where your grandmother is from.  Many Japanese automatically speak to you in Japanese because visually, you look like them. When you can’t reply, and they hear your American accent, you are treated differently.
3. Your family is originally from the Philippines, and you grew up in California. When you study in Australia, they mistake you for an Indian. As soon as you speak however, they immediately recognize your American accent.

The bottom line is, be ready for and open to different perceptions, and be prepared to change! Most people feel they grow greatly as a person by facing the challenge of looking at how others view you and how you see yourself when you study abroad.

Preparation for an Education Abroad Experience

While being confronted with new intercultural situations may be daunting, there are a number of ways that you can prepare for the experience.

Explore your own ideas about race and racism:

Students often find themselves acting as cultural ambassadors in their host countries. While abroad you may be asked to answer questions about issues regarding race and racism in the U.S. in causal conversation or in a more formal setting, such as a classroom. Understanding your own views is a good springboard for understanding how another culture constructs race.

Learn more about how race and racism is defined in your host culture prior to departure

Who is a part of the ethnic majority or minority in your host culture? What types of interactions have existed between these groups? What are the current issues faced by these groups in your host culture?  Obtaining books and reading newspapers is a great way to learn the answers to these basic questions about your host culture and will prepare you to better understand how you may be viewed by host nationals.
 
Speak with international students or faculty at WSU who are from your host country, as well as individuals who have studied abroad or lived in your host country. Keep in mind that a person’s age, gender, socioeconomic status or other factors may also influence their views on race and race relations in your host country. 

Each individual’s experience overseas is unique, and students who are the same ethnicity and study in the same country may have vastly different experiences. Use the information that you glean from your research to help prepare you, but be open to the reality that you will have your own experiences that may or may not mirror others that have lived in your host culture.

Continue to explore these issues during your experience in your host culture

One of the greatest gifts of the education abroad experience is the opportunity to view things from a different perspective. Maximize your time abroad by building upon what you learned regarding race and racism prior to your arrival in your host culture. For example: Conversations with a WSU faculty member from Southern India shaped much of your pre-departure ideas of Indian values and culture. After a month in Northern India however, you realize that much of what you learned is not applicable to your host community. Are the differences based on the professor’s personal views on race and racism in India? Or are you learning about differences between North and South India?

If you encounter a situation that is overwhelming, challenging or hurtful during your education abroad experience, we encourage you to reach out for support. The Education Abroad staff is always willing to help students. In addition, we encourage students to speak about what they are experiencing with their resident directors on their study abroad, exchange or internship program or their faculty-led program director.

Student Quotes

Advice and Anecdotes

From WSU Students and University of Tennessee Students Who Studied Abroad

“Leave your “American mindset” behind. I can’t tell you how many other American students did not do this and they spent the semester complaining about the lack of electricity, or how dirty a street was, or how the food made them fat…they didn’t allow themselves to just recognize the beauty of difference. They didn’t allow themselves to see the uniqueness and exquisiteness of the culture for what it was because they were too busy comparing it to US culture. They missed out on the experience and that was the saddest thing of all. You will come across things that are new, unfathomable, and different but don’t resist it. You will sabotage your own experience.” 
-WSU Female - Dominican Republic

“People in Madrid and Alicante were very courteous and open. Being an American, people nearly always wanted to talk about politics…..being Hispanic, people didn’t treat me as any different…..they just saw me as an American.”
University of Tennessee Male- Spain

“GO FOR IT, but it is only what YOU make out of it. Don’t take a cell phone, and only write e mails once a week or less. Staying in contact with “home” causes you to be homesick, and will only put a damper on your experience. Try everything, especially the food, there will be things you will NEVER again find in any other country. Some may be bad, but some are amazing, and you can say “have you tried….because I have. “
WSU Female - Thailand

“Go for a long period of time.  The longest period you can afford would be the best.  Also, go early on in your college career if possible.  It is an experience that can change you dramatically and leaving yourself the option to possibly head in a different direction after your study abroad experience.”
WSU Female - Italy

“People who are going to study abroad need to remember that there’s no one meeting them in their country to make it the greatest trip of their life.  I definitely expected that more fun things would be set up for me, but when they weren’t, it was fine.  My roommate and I made our own fun, and that was the best.  I guess the most important thing to know that there’s no one else but yourself to blame if you don’t enjoy a trip abroad.  And if you have the best time of your life, it’s mostly due to your great attitude!”
WSU Female- France

“Once they got to know me, they treated me like any other American. Before I spoke, I would many times get mistaken for being Chinese, but that was the extent of any faulty stereotyping.”
UT Female-UK

“In Madrid, some people thought that I was African and asked if I sold CDs.”
UT Male- Spain

 

“The second you leave America, you are a foreigner. Especially if you are a minority student….all of a sudden, you may become more aware of your ethnic differences than previously imagined. Please don’t let any questions bother you. For the most part, Aussies are more than hospitable and willing to have a good conversation with you, but realize that number one you are a different color and number two, you are an American. This makes you so diverse and such a learning tool for others around you. Use your “differences” to your advantage and learn from people, culture and the environment around you.”
UT Male-Australia

“I would suggest for American students of color not to be scared off or frightened by going to a new country. I think it is very important for students of color to go abroad and dispel stereotypes that television and even perhaps their fellow Americans have engrained into the minds of our world neighbors. I think that you should go to Australia with open eyes, ears and mind. I want to encourage you to engage in conversations such as these about race and stereotypes and to not be easily offended when people are trying to understand you.”
UT Male-Australia

 
“I learned a lot about myself, and what makes ME happy. When you have the opportunity to be on your own and completely start over with new people, you have the chance to evaluate who you are and who you want to be. I came to realize that part of who I was, was the person that other people wanted me to be. I’m so happy in my own skin now.”
WSU Female-Spain

 

“Being of Taiwanese decent, I learned much more of my culture and my people’s history. I feel that I now have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of my roots and a stronger connection with my ancestral ties. I learned the importance of understanding one’s history in understanding one’s cultural identity. I learned that in order to truly understand who YOU are, you must understand what is important to you, the history of your people and struggles they endured in order to make a better life for you.”
WSU Male-Taiwan

Resources

Below please find a list of helpful resources for students to begin preparing for an education abroad experience. If you happen to find an interesting website in your search, please feel free to pass it along to us!

Websites

Brown’s Diversity Issues in Study Abroad: A compilation of brief quotes from Brown University students of different ethnic backgrounds addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality and religion that arose during their study abroad experience. 

Allabroad.us and Diversityabroad.com: These websites contain advice from former study abroad participants regarding how to plan and fund an education abroad experience, as well as specific concerns of multicultural students. Both websites also have a section devoted to parents in English and in SpanishJ

Glimpse Abroad: Articles written by former study abroad participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds that explore their experiences surrounding issues of race and identity while abroad, such as majority/minority dynamics, heritage seeking, etc.

Pitt’s The World is in Your Hands Student Guide: A compilation of quotes from African American students at the University of Pittsburgh about their study abroad experience.

Mobility International USA: A non-profit organization devoted to supporting the participation of students with disabilities in international exchange, MIUSA’s website contains information and resources for students interested in studying abroad, as well as stories from student with disabilities who have studied abroad.

The Black Collegian: A career website geared towards African Americans students, The Black Collegian has an international section with articles from former study abroad participants as well as information and resources about international education

Books and Articles

Go Girl! The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure. Editor: Elaine Lee, The Eighth Mountain Press, 1997.

Study Abroad for Bicultural Students by Thomas Vivaldo Millington
An article that outlines the benefits of study abroad for heritage-speakers and/or third language proficiency for Chicano/Latino students.

Towards Reconciliation in the Motherland: Race, Class, Nationality, Gender and the Complexities of the American Student Presence at the University of Ghana, Legon by Jennifer Landau and David Chioni Moore. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, Vol VII, Fall 2001.  An article that explores the experiences of African-American and Caucasian-American study abroad participants and their interactions with Ghanaian students at the University of Ghana-Legon.

W.E.B Dubois as a Study Abroad Student in Germany, 1892-1894 by Hamilton Beck. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, Vol II, Fall 1996. One of the most prolific American intellectuals, Dubois’ study abroad experience in Germany influenced his later work and view of race relations in the US.

Funding

Many study abroad providers and non-profit organizations have developed scholarships to financially assist students from underrepresented groups to study abroad. There are a number of programs that also have scholarships that are built into their programs:

• AIFS Minority Scholarship
  -Must be a minority student
  -Must be attending an AIFS study abroad program
  http://www.aifsabroad.com/css/scholarships.htm

• AIFS-HACU Scholarship Program for London Intern Students
  - Scholarships of up to 50% of the full program fee to study at Richmond, the American International University in London, England, as part of a special internship program where they will be placed with an international company in their field of interest to gain work experience.
  -For a summer (12 weeks) or semester (Fall or Spring). The program consists of intensive study of contemporary British Culture, Internship Seminars and an unpaid internship in a wide range of private companies and public organizations. - - Fields of internships include Advertising, Art & Design, Broadcast Film and Production, Finance and Accounting, Legal, IT, Journalism, Marketing, Music, PR. Non-profit NGO & Politics and Government.
  For more information see websites(s) at:
  http://www.aifsabroad.com/css/scholarships.htm

• American Indian Endowed Scholarship
  -Applicant must have close cultural and social ties to an American Indian tribe and/or American Indian community in Washington State http://www.finaid.wsu.edu/scholar/amerindian.htm

• American Indian Services Scholarship
  -Applicant must be a Native American Indian enrolled in a university, college, junior college or technical school 
  http://www.finaid.wsu.edu/scholar/PrivDonor.htm

• Aspira Association, Inc.
  -Applicants must be a minority student. Website has many different minority scholarships
  http://www.aspira.org/Scholarships/scholarshiplist.htm

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
  -Must be receiving the Federal Pell Grant
  -Student has applied/is applying to a study abroad program
  -Must be studying at least 4 weeks in one country
  -Must be studying in the fall, spring or both (summer not accepted)
  http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/index.html

• CIEE
  -Offers scholarships for undergraduates, typically from $500-$1500.
  -The Bailey Minority Scholarship for students of color can be used with CIEE programs for study, work, and volunteering abroad.
  -CIEE Travel Grants can be used by any undergraduate in developing countries. www.ciee.org

• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
  -Applicant must be Hispanic. Website has many different scholarships listed. ‘Regional’ is more limited than the ‘National’ category
  http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarship.htm

• DIS
  - Discipline-specific programs in health sciences, architecture, business,communications, multicultural studies, women’s studies and more. WSU students receive a $1,500 automatic discount for semester programs, $500 automatic discount for summer programs.
  www.dis.dk

• Fogarty International Center's Minority International Research Training (MIRT) Grant
  - Sends minority students abroad, accompanied by U.S. college faculty, with full funding to do health-related research worldwide. For more information, contact: Fogarty International Center, MIRT, National Institutes of Health, www.fic.nih.gov.

• Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships For Minorities
  -Must be a minority
  -Must be pursuing a Ph.D or Sc.D
  -Must be studying Arts, Business Management, Education, Humanities,    Language, Science-Math or Social Science
  http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fellowships/

• Freeman Asia
  -To study abroad in one of the 15 Asian countries on semester or summer programs
  -Program must be at least eight weeks in length.
  -Scholarships are first offered to students with no prior experience in the country where they plan to study.
  www.iie.org/freeman-asia

• Global Studies Foundation Student Grant
  -Designed to support foreign language training and academic studies abroad.
  -Funding is for study in significant countries and languages.
  - Recipients are expected to share their experience with multiple audiences upon return. http://www.globalstudiesfoundation.org/ShowContents.cfm?CategoryID=64

• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
  -Applicants must be Hispanic students interested in studying abroad at one of the Laureate International Universities
  -Applicants must have a minimum of a 2.7/4.0 GPA
  -Applicants most likely will need a minimum level of language ability in either Spanish or French  
   http://www.hacu.net/hacu/Student_Resources1_EN.asp?SnID=244074449

• IES Diversity Merit-based Scholarships
  -Must have a minimum GPA of 3.3
  -Must be attending a IES study abroad program
  https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Scholarships_and_Aid/financialAid.html
  Note: IES Program options in Europe, Asia, Latin America and South Africa provide an automatic $1500 discount for WSU students on semester/year-long programs.

• Institute for International Public Policy: Fellowship Program
  -Must be a minority
  -Must apply as a sophomore
  -Must study abroad your junior year
  -Minimum 3.2 GPA
  http://www.uncfsp.org/iipp

• Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
  -Applicant must be a Hispanic student enrolled full time in a university
  http://www.maldef.org/education/scholarships.htm

• National Security Education Program (NSEP)
  Funds undergraduates and graduate students to study in less-frequented regions, often in less-developed countries. Students of color are encouraged to apply. Contact: NSEP, Institute of International Education
  www.iie.org/nsep
  

• Opportunities Abroad for Americans of Color
  -Must be a minority interested in studying abroad.
  -Website has many different scholarships listed
  http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/study/articles/studyjul1.shtml

• Osher Scholars Summer Study Abroad Program
  -For a summer study abroad program. The length of study program can vary from two weeks to three months. All projects should relate to the students’ academic interests and/ or career goals.
  http://www.iie.org/wcoast/osher.htm

• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Study Abroad Grant
  - 38 $1,000 graduates awarded each year to Phi Kappa Phi members to help support undergraduate study abroad
  -Students must attend an institution with a Phi Kappa Phi chapter, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0. and have a minimum of 56 credit hours and a max of 90.
  -Applicants must be accepted into the study abroad program.
  -Must have at least 2 remaining semesters in the home institution after completion of the study abroad program.
  http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/Scholarships/studyabroad/studyabroad_faq.html

• Plateau Native American Scholarship
  -Applicant must be a member of one of the tribes listed
  -Current WSU student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
  -Preference given to those who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or an undergraduate degree at the College of Liberal Arts
  -Minimum of 6 credit hours per semester is required for the recipient
   http://www.finaid.wsu.edu/scholar/PrivDonor.htm

• Rotary International
  -Available to undergraduates and graduates not all related to Rotary Club members; apply early--about 1 to 1 1/2 years before you wish to go--through the Rotary Club in your home town. Rotary encourages students of color to apply.
  -See the Rotary website for more information, www.rotary.org, and Brad Jensen's article on how to apply in the May/June 1998 issue of Transitions Abroad.

• SIT Diversity Fund
  -Must be a minority
  -Must be studying Arts, Humanities, Language, Science-Math, or Social Science
  -Awards based on merit and financial need
  http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/scholarships/index.html

• Woodrow Wilson International Fellowship Foundation
  -Offers several programs for students of color interested in international careers, who must apply in their sophomore year of college. Contact: The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, www.woodrow.org.