When considering where to study abroad, it is important to learn as much about a potential host culture as possible, including local climates toward particular minorities and groups of people.
Instances and the nature of discrimination and prejudices will vary highly by country; within a particular country it will also vary by region and local demographics. Keep in mind that part of study abroad is adapting to new situations, and you may find it necessary to also adapt and/or define new mechanisms of handling instances of discrimination and prejudice.
It is also important to distinguish that some of what Americans universally define as discrimination and/or prejudice may not be interpreted as such in your host culture. What constitutes discrimination may vary widely and be different from how discrimination is defined in the U.S. For example, it may be common and perfectly acceptable in some cultures to refer to a person by physical characteristics, such as height, age, weight, color, etc., instead of or in addition to his or her name. If asked, most people in all cultures will respect a request to not use such references.
Researching a host culture and defining support networks in advance is essential to preparing for your study abroad experience. Some countries, cities, and universities may have support groups available. Students may need to define new avenues of support, such as communicating with friends and family back home via e-mail, as well.
The IUP Office of International Education (OIE) will discuss potential prejudice and discrimination concerns with prospective study abroad students in relation to universities abroad. Let us know if this is a consideration for you when deciding where to study abroad.
Very few returning study abroad students cite discrimination and prejudice as a reason that would prevent them from studying abroad again.
It is important that prospective study abroad students examine possible racial and ethnic prejudices in a prospective host culture. Many of the ways students with different ethnic backgrounds manage prejudice and discrimination in the U.S. may be similarly applied in a host culture. It may, however, be necessary to define new ways to deal with racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination in a host culture or country.
Experiences will vary widely even in the same country or region, and it is important to note that most study abroad students report welcoming environments in all world locations. It will be important for all students to be flexible in terms of interpreting what might be curiosity about one’s racial or ethnic background and what may be discrimination.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Students
LGBT students will find some countries more accepting and others less accepting than the U.S., but all countries will have some internal variation. LGBT study abroad students should research attitudes toward LGBT persons in a host culture as well as laws regarding homosexuality in the host country.
Countries may have LGBT support groups in cities and on university campuses, in addition to large, or not so large, LGBT communities. In some counties, LGBT communities may be largely underground, while in others LGBT communities may be a vibrant and visual part of the host society and culture.
Attitudes of a host culture can also vary between gay men and lesbian women and between bisexual and transgender individuals. Again, advance research is important to fully understand LGBT community and attitude dynamics of a country, region, and culture. It will ultimately be a personal decision whether or not to disclose your identity in a host culture, country, and/or university.
Hormone therapies may not be readily available or accessible in a host country and should be brought from the U.S. Research the regulations for bringing medications into a country, as well as mailing medications, well in advance of traveling.
Women Students
In many parts of the world, roles and expectations of women are quite different than what we are accustomed to in the U.S. In order to best inform a study abroad location decision, women students should research attitudes toward women and gender roles and expectations of women in a prospective host culture. It will be important to strike a balance between preserving identity and respecting a host culture.
In some areas, it may be unsafe to travel alone after dark, or inappropriate to show certain parts of the body in public. Some women travelers may experience sexual harassment, generally verbal, while abroad, and being a woman traveler may be enough to spur inappropriate sexual comments or gestures. Steps can be taken however to reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment, such a traveling in groups, wearing a wedding band, and dressing in a mundane manner. Be aware up front of possible sources of prejudice and discrimination toward women in a host culture, and have a support network available such as other women student travelers or e-mail communication with friends and family back home. Most women have little or no problems with discrimination and harassment while studying abroad.
Contraceptives may either be more readily available or not as readily available in a host country. Check the accessibility of contraceptives in a host country, and, if necessary, bring a supply from the U.S. Research the regulations for bringing medications into a country well in advance of traveling.
Resources for Study Abroad Minority Students
- OIE
The Office of International Education assists students with planning study abroad, and can discuss diversity issues with prospective study abroad students.
- Diversity Issues in Study Abroad (OIE also had a hard copy)
A terrific collection of personal stories from university students that speak to minority and disability issues in study abroad.
- NAFSA: Rainbow Special Interest Group
General and area-specific resources for LGBT study abroad students.
In the OIE Library:
- Spartacus International Gay Guide (2008)
- The African-American Travel Guide To Hot, Exotic, and Fun-Filled Places
- Damron’s Men’s Travel Guide
- Go Girl, The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure
- The African-American Travel Guide
Funding and Scholarships
Many scholarship and funding options exist for study abroad students. All are open to minority students, and some are designed specifically to promote diversity and support education of minority students. Note that a full range of opportunities should be explored independently by each student.
Scholarships Specifically for Minority Students:
- DiversityAbroad.com’s Study Abroad Scholarship for minority students to study abroad in eligible AustraLearn programs.
Please see the Study Abroad website for a complete listing of scholarship opportunities.
