Whether your racial or ethnic identity is viewed as part of the minority or majority depends on your chosen study abroad location. Regardless, your race and ethnicity may be a catalyst for both positive and negative situations, interactions, and feelings while abroad. You may be the first or one of few with your racial or ethnic background that those in a community have met or interacted with. This can lead to thoughtful dialogue, but can also sometimes lead to conversations that involve inappropriate questions or make you feel uncomfortable. This is often done with genuine curiosity rather than maliciousness, but your feelings are valid either way. Assess each situation as it happens to decide what you feel is an appropriate reaction, always being mindful of your safety. Should you choose to respond to an inappropriate comment or behavior, try to do so in a calm and neutral tone. Some questions to ask yourself include:

  • How does this city/country/region perceive my racial or ethnic identity? What stereotypes may exist?
  • If I am used to being part of the minority at home, am I ready to be in the majority abroad? Vice versa?
  • Will there be any other minority students on my program? If not, am I okay with that?
  • How should I react if I find something offensive? Is the person curious, or do they have bad intentions?
  • If I’m staying with a host family, have they housed minority students before? How might they support me or how might I be challenged living with them?
  • Who can I contact if I face racist or discriminatory incidents? Does my program have support staff that will understand and help me process these situations?

On November 17, 2020, the Global Business Society & Black Students in Business hosted a student panel titled Intersectionality Abroad: The Black Experience. This event took place over Zoom and was recorded; watch below.

There are many online resources to help you prepare for confronting your racial or ethnic identity abroad, including: