Supporting African-American Students Studying Abroad: Recruitment, Racism, and

Development

Rachel Seavey

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.

Purpose

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

Reason for Topic

Cultural Immersion Foreign language mastery Cross cultural communication skills

Increased autonomy, confidence and independence

International networking Marketability to future employers

Benefits of Studying Abroad

(Bohrer, 2013; Fischer, 2010)

Globalization

“The flow of technology, knowledge, people, values, ideas, capital, goods, and services across national borders”

(As cited in Gürüz, 2008)

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)

Globalization in Higher Education

BRIC Countries + Study Abroad

U.S. students are being encouraged by to study abroad in BRIC countries in order to gain a competitive edge upon graduation

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

The United States in 2060

(United States Census Bureau, 2012)

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)

Access and Equality

Minorities Abroad

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)

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)

Why Students of Color Don’t Study Abroad

Racism Abroad

Russia

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)

“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.”

Not Just A Myth

(American Institute for Foreign Study, 2013)

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.

Black Identity Development Theory

(As cited in Wijeyesinghe, 2012)

Racism Abroad & Identity Development

Benefits of DiversityHelps 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)

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

Best Practices

(Dessoff, 2006; Hu, 2012; Talburt and Stewart, 1999)

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

Conclusion

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/

References

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.

References