Race and Ethnicity Abroad
Just as students’ race and/or ethnic origin can inform their identity and experience(s) in the United States, they will also inevitably inform their experience abroad. Drexel Global recognizes that students may hold various intersecting identities, and believes that these identities should all be supported during one’s time studying abroad. We hope to provide students with the tools, resources, and support students may need to navigate their experiences abroad.
Culture and history impact the perception of race and ethnicity. The history of race, racism, and colonialism vary by country. While abroad, a student’s identity may be perceived differently than it is in the United States. For this reason, it is important to be aware of how one may be perceived, and how one may perceive oneself, in one’s host country based on one’s racial and/or ethnic identity.
Below, please find some questions to consider in your research of your potential host country.
Questions to Consider While Preparing to Study Abroad
- Am I interested in exploring my own heritage while abroad? Or am I interested in studying abroad somewhere I may not have a heritage connection to?
- How important is it for me to find other students and/or communities abroad that share my heritage/race/ethnicity?
- Am I willing and/or prepared to face curiosity and answer questions from locals about my heritage/race/ethnicity, including those that may be inadvertently stereotypical or insensitive?
- What cultural perceptions or stereotypes might someone from my host country have regarding my ethnic or racial background?
- Are there resources in my host country and institution if I do face a discriminatory incident?
- Are there resources available in my host country and institution for students with diverse ethnic or racial backgrounds? Does my host university have organizations and/or student groups for students with diverse ethnic or racial backgrounds?
- Are there any Drexel alumni who I might be able to ask questions about their time in this host country/city/institution?
Questions to Consider While Studying Abroad
- What is the relationship between my respective culture and the host culture?
- What is the history of relations and racism and/or colonization in my host country? What about in my home country or country of origin and my host country?
- How might I react if I now look like the majority of my host country’s population? In my study abroad program? How do I imagine this might impact the host population’s perception of me?
- How might I react if I now look like the minority of my host country's population? In my study abroad program? How do I imagine this might impact the host population's perception of me?
- How might I respond if I disagree with a professor and/or my peers' stances on certain topics of race in class?
- How will I respond if the way in which I self-identity is met with questioning?
- How can I find community in the host culture? How will I keep in contact with my community back home?
- How have I responded in the past to uncomfortable situations? Can any of those skills be transferable to my new cultural adjustment?
- To whom do I reach out if I face a discriminatory incident?
- Are there past study abroad participants who might share similar identities to whom I could reach out for advice?
General Resources
Resources for Black/African-American Students
Resources for Asian/Pacific Islander Students
Resources for Latine (o/a/x) Students
Resources for Native American Students
Are you a Drexel student/faculty/staff member with a helpful resource to share? Get in touch with us at studyabroad@drexel.edu.