2. The purpose of the paper was to identify
ways Study Abroad Professionals could
support African-American students
studying abroad in countries that pose a
higher risk for encountering racism and
discrimination.
3. Experiences of African-American SSU students
abroad
Personal observations made while studying
abroad in Ireland and Italy
Conversations with SSU staff faculty who have
avoided visiting certain countries due to a fear of
encountering racism
Current events transpiring in countries where
SSU students are applying to study abroad
4. Cultural Immersion
Foreign language mastery
Cross cultural communication skills
Increased autonomy, confidence and
independence
International networking
Marketability to future employers
(Bohrer, 2013; Fischer, 2010)
5. “The flow of technology, knowledge,
people, values, ideas, capital, goods,
and services across national borders”
(As cited in Gürüz, 2008)
6. Students are pursuing degrees in other countries
Faculty are accepting positions around the world
Countries like South Korea and Saudi Arabia are
creating „world-class universities‟ to compete with
institutions in the U.S.
Study abroad programs, satellite campuses, and
international campus partnerships are rapidly increasing
Rise of international research and cross-border scientific
collaboration
-Ben Wildavsky, author of The Great Brain Race: How Global Universities
Are Reshaping The World.
(As cited in Alberts, 2010)
7.
8. U.S. students are being
encouraged by to study abroad
in BRIC countries in order to
gain a competitive edge upon
graduation
9. Hispanic populations are predicted to double from 53.3
to 128.8 million.
The population aged 65 and older will more than
double
Asian populations are projected to more than double,
from 15.9 to 34.4 million
The black population will increase from 41.2 to 61.8
million
Minorities, now 37% of the U.S. population, will
comprise 57% of the population
(United States Census Bureau, 2012)
10. As of 2009, 29.9 % of Americans aged 25 to 29
had obtained at least a bachelor‟s degree
When broken down by race…
58% of Asian Americans
36% of whites
18% of African Americans
12% of Hispanics
10% of American Indians
(Kim, 2011, American Council on Higher Education)
11. In 2010-2011, 78% percent of study abroad students
were white, 7.9% were Asian, 6.9% were Hispanic and
4.8% were black or African-American.
(As cited in Sand, 2013)
12. Financial reasons and lack of financial aid
Family obligations and work responsibilities
Pressures to move through college quickly and
start a career
Fears of encountering racism abroad
A lack of minority faculty leading study abroad
programs
A presumption among faculty and staff that
minority students lack interest in study abroad
(Dessoff, 2006, Salisbury, M., Paulsen, M., & Pascarella, E., 2011)
13.
14. In 2009, a BBC article reported that nearly 60% of black and
African people living in Russia's capital, Moscow, disclosed that
they had been physically assaulted in racially motivated attacks
while 80% had been verbally abused
(BBC News, 2009)
15. “AIFS welcomes minority students on all programs but it
is essential for all minority students who go to St.
Petersburg to be aware that they must exercise caution
during their stay in Russia. Attitudes in Russia towards
minority groups differ greatly from those in the USA. In
recent years there have been isolated attacks in St.
Petersburg on students of African and Asian appearance.
Therefore minority students should always travel as part of
a group and should take special care in the evenings.”
(American Institute for Foreign Study, 2013)
16. Black Identity Development model (Jackson, 1976)
5 stages of development:
Naïve:
Acceptance
Resistance
Redefinition
Internalization
Most students of color are transitioning between the
acceptance and resistance stage when studying abroad.
(As cited in Wijeyesinghe, 2012)
17.
18. Helps Student of Color
Reject stereotypes learned in the U.S.
Examine their identity as an American
Develop within their cultural, racial, and ethnic identity
Foster a greater degree of intercultural sensitivity
Experience a greater sense of achievement
Helps Class
Work more effectively in and with diverse groups
Reflect upon race, oppression, status, and identity
Host Country
Educates population and helps reject stereotypes through exposure
(Brux and Fry, 2010; Talburt et. al, 1999)
19. Intentionally recruit diverse students on study
abroad programs
Offer information sessions that explore racism
abroad and invite study abroad alumni of color
share their experience
Include African American faculty and staff
during the study abroad process and experience
Incorporate discussions of race, culture, and
privilege into the study abroad experience
(Dessoff, 2006; Hu, 2012; Talburt and Stewart, 1999)
20. Globalization has resulted in an increased pressure for
institutions of higher education to send students to study
abroad abroad, particularly in non-traditional countries
These countries pose higher risks that students of color will
experience racism while abroad, which can severely hinder a
a student during their identity development
In order to combat racial disparities among study abroad
participants and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all
students, student affairs professionals must intentionally
utilize best practices when supporting African-American
students studying abroad
21. Bohrer, I. (2013). 10 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad in College - Benefits & Challenges. Money
Crashers. Retrieved from: http://www.moneycrashers.com/reasons-why-study-abroad-benefits/
Fischer, K. (2010). Study Abroad's New Focus Is Job Skills. The Chronicle of Higher Education. October
17, 2010. Retrieved from: http://chronicle.com/article/Study-Abroad-Gets-an-Image/124979/
Gürüz, K. (2008). Higher Education and International Student Mobility in the Global Knowledge
Economy. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press
Alberts, H. (2010) The Globalization of Higher Education. Forbes Magazine. July 28, 2010. Retrieved
from: http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/28/global-international-universities- colleges-leadership-
education-ben-wildavsky.html
United States Census Bureau (2012). U.S. Census Bureau Projections Show a Slower Growing, Older,
More Diverse Nation a Half Century from Now. Dec 12, 2012. Retrieved from:
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb12-243.html
Kim, Y. (2011). Minorities in Higher Education. American Council on Higher Education. Retrieved
from: http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Documents/Minorities-in-Higher-Education-Twenty-
Fourth-Status-Report-2011-Supplement.pdf
Sand, D. (2013). New Efforts to Boost Minority Students Studying Abroad. USA Today College.
October23, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/23/boost-
minority-students-study-abroad/3171991/
22. Dessoff, A. (2006). Who‟s Not Going Abroad? International Educator: March/April 2006 Retrieved from:
https://www.nafsa.org/Resource_Library_Assets/Publications_Library/Who_s_NOT_Going_Abroad_/
Salisbury, M., Paulsen, M., & Pascarella, E. (2011). Why Do All the Study Abroad Students Look Alike?
Applying an Integrated Student Choice Model to Explore Differences in the Factors that Influence White
and Minority Students‟ Intent to Study Abroad. Research in Higher Education. March 2011, Vol. 52 Issue
2.
BBC News (2009) Africans „Under Siege' in Moscow. BBC News. August 31, 2009. Retrieved from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8230158.stm
American Institute for Foreign Study (2013). AIFS Pre-Departure Handbook Academic Year 2013-2014: St.
Petersburg, Russia.
Wijeyesinghe, C. (2012). New Perspectives on Racial Identity Development: Integrating Emerging Frameworks
2nd Edition. New York, NY: New York University Press
Brux, J., & Fry, B. (2010). Multicultural Students in Study Abroad: Their Interests, Their Issues, and Their
Constraints. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14(5), 508-527. doi:10.1177/1028315309342486
Talburt, S., & Stewart, M. A. (1999). What's the Subject of Study Abroad?: Race, Gender, and `Living Culture.'.
Modern Language Journal, 83(2), 163.
Hu, H. (2012). Educators Discuss Strategies To Diversify Pool of Study-Abroad Students. Diverse: Issues in
Higher Education, 29(5), 6.
