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Advice from Mentors on Finding and Maximizing Study Abroad Opportunities

Study abroad provides students with an opportunity to discover the world outside the U.S. in ways that can support both academic learning and personal growth. From building valuable global career skills to exploring one's heritage to combating stereotypes at home and abroad, international study can be a life-changing experience. Like other college and university experiences, applying for and maximizing study-abroad opportunities require that you take an active approach to finding a program, getting help from faculty, staff and other students.

Finding a dedicated mentor with study-abroad experience can also be important for encouragement, helping you understand the options and decisions, and guiding you through the sometimes complex process.

Here, a team of such mentors from the AllAbroad.us website discusses the benefits of international study for African-American students and shares tips for a successful study-abroad experience.

The Mentors

LaNitra Walker Berger, Senior Manager of Research and Policy, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education	Marilyn Jackson, Assistant Director, Office of International Programs, San Francisco State University	Patrick Frazier, Director of International Education, Quinnipiac University
Malaika Marable Serrano, Associate Director, Professional Practice, NAFSA: Association of International Education	Starlett Craig, Academic Program Director, Clemson University	Carol Larson, Director of Management, Study Abroad Office, University Center for International Study, University of Pittsburgh [pictured in Italy with son Michael]
Kenya Casey, Study Abroad Advisor, Emory University	Priscilla Layne, Graduate Student, University of California at Berkeley	Christa Sanders, Associate Director, NYU in Ghana, New York University
	Tony Laing, Ph.D. Student, University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign, Former Diversity and Exchange Program Advisor, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Benefits of Study Abroad

From the perspective of mentors who have been there, the benefits of studying abroad for African- American students are many -- and very often life-changing.

"It's important to understand the world you live in," says mentor LaNitra Walker Berger of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. Berger believes, in fact, that "study abroad should be a part of every student's college experience."

For Berger, seeing the world, broadening your experience, and learning to adapt to different ways of life help students develop skills that can be transferred to many different parts of life. Learning how to "persevere in the face of hardship, to use creative problem-solving skills, to overcome communication barriers, and to see people as individuals rather than as stereotypes" are skills that will last a lifetime, Berger says.

In addition to learning about other cultures, study abroad can give African-American students valuable new perspective on your own country and values.

"Studying abroad in a host country is often the first time that all students begin to think critically about what it means to be American," observes mentor Marilyn Jackson. "As they go through 'culture shock' they realize they have cultural and societal expectations shaped by growing up in the U.S. For a variety of reasons, including racism and historical and current discrimination, but also social and family networks and allegiances, African-American students may see themselves first as 'Black' or African-American, but not just 'American' no hyphen. Often, they are surprised when people in the host country refer to them first by their nationality ('the American') rather than their skin color. They may also be surprised to find themselves instinctively defending the U.S. or acting in an unexpectedly patriotic manner when someone criticizes the U.S., even though they might be even more critical of U.S. policies, government and society when they are home. They return to the U.S. with a new sense of pride of ownership in America and commitment to shape and change America so that it lives up to its promise of freedom and justice for all."

For many mentors, a chief benefit of understanding how America fits in with the rest of the world is that it can lead to mutual respect between people of different cultures. Mentor Patrick Frazier, for one, sees study abroad as an opportunity for diverse students to represent a strong and vibrant part of the U.S., and break through stereotypes that others have about U.S. Americans.

"The media image of African Americans in particular has been twisted since the pre-Hollywood era," he observes. "The more real-life experience those from outside the U.S. have with African Americans the better the perception of this ethnic group."

However, as mentor Malaika Marable Serrano learned firsthand while studying in Australia, "stereotyping goes both ways."

"I had some stereotypes about Australians and they had stereotypes about me as an African American," she says, but these gave way "because I was there and we had the opportunity to talk, interact, and live together in the Australian dorm."

After studying abroad, she suggests, "You'll be more inclined not to be judgmental or make assumptions based on stereotypes -- but see people as individuals. If you encounter stereotypes later while abroad -- or even in the U.S. -- you will have that experience and tools to better understand how to take advantage of these moments and teach them about stereotypes."

For mentor Starlett Craig, too, cross-cultural programs that promote life-long friendships, "increase individual respect and understanding of other people who populate the world" can be "an essential step toward a more peaceful and just society."

Heritage Study

Studying in your ancestors' country of origin can be a particularly rewarding experience -- a positive way for African-American students to examine their heritage, learn about where their family came from, and explore their own identity, says Carol Larson at the University of Pittsburgh's Study Abroad Office.

"However, the heritage-seeking experience may be more challenging than that for other students," she cautions, "because of preconceived notions that because your ethnicity is the same, your culture and attitudes will be the same. An African-American student cannot simply assume that you will be welcomed with open arms -- you are an American in a foreign country."

Larson's own son, a multiracial/African American student, "has grown immeasurably" from studying abroad: first in the Afro-Brazilian culture, where after a short time he was a willing part of the culture; and second in China and Mongolia, where "he was the object of curiosity because in many cases he was the first Black man they had seen. Once the Chinese got to know him and found he had hip-hop on his iPod, a friendship was born."

Students should undertake heritage-seeking experiences with patience and an open mind, Larson suggests. "Allow yourself to absorb the culture, adapt, and slowly become part of the culture; you will then be accepted for the person you are."

Advisor Kenya Casey similarly recommends getting involved in the local community to extend your learning beyond just the classroom.

"My one regret is that I didn't volunteer while I was in Ghana," Casey recalls. "I was so focused on academics and getting to know the country that I did not make any time for service or volunteer opportunities. It is important to contribute to the community that you are a part of for that semester."

Beyond enjoying the personal rewards, Casey advises, community work "ensures that your experience has that extra 'added value,' i.e. something that can be added to your resume (think long term)!"

Mentors also tout the career benefits of their international experiences in terms of improving your professional and financial potential, and helping to clarify your career goals.

For Priscilla Layne, now studying at UC Berkeley, three years in Germany greatly enhanced language-learning, and "definitely influenced my decision to go to graduate school and focus on German language and literature. I connected to the culture and the people and I did not want to lose this connection. This fall I am teaching German 1 for the first time at the university, and seeing my students get excited about learning German has proven to be a very rewarding part of my graduate school experience."

Beyond just having positive travel and study experiences, mentor Christa Sanders found that study abroad significantly influenced her career decisions and goals.

With a passion for the international education field and firm belief that international study "is a necessary and life-changing experience," Sanders made it her "personal mission to open students' minds to the world through international education." Sanders' mission blossomed through work in Madrid, Spain with Syracuse University and Voices of Change, an organization she cofounded to help support American students of color abroad. Most recently, Sanders has had the opportunity to manage NYU's study abroad program in Ghana, where she oversees the coordination of academic courses, excursions throughout Ghana and West Africa, cultural activities and conferences.

"Developing NYU's first study abroad semester/year option program in Africa has been a truly exciting and challenging experience. Through my work in Ghana, I have not only been able to expose students to the rich culture, history and traditions of the people of West Africa, but I have also had a unique opportunity to dispel many of the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist about the African continent. This opportunity in itself has been one of the most rewarding professional and personal opportunities I could have ever envisioned," Sanders says.

Next Steps

After examining the options and benefits of study abroad such as discussed here, the most important step for students who want to take this path is to visit your campus study-abroad office early in your undergraduate studies, ensuring enough time to plan when and where you want to study and to fulfill all the requirements. Note that some study-abroad offices may be understaffed and busy helping all students, so you need to follow the appropriate method on your campus for working with the office staff.

Talk to an advisor about what programs are available and when to apply. Even if your campus doesn't have a formal study-abroad office, seek out a faculty or staff member who helps students interested in international study, as well as mentors to discuss your goals and the process.

Consider and choose a program that fits with your personal and career goals, mentor Tony Laing suggests. After narrowing down the various types of study abroad options, if possible, consult with students or mentors who have participated in the same programs. He also encourages students to apply for all types of scholarships.

"When I studied abroad at the University of Ghana-Legion, I received a scholarship from the Council on International Educational Program," Laing explains. "This was a great draw. I went with this third-party provider because it offered the best financial package to a country I wanted to visit, coupled with positive feedback from students who had participated the semester prior."

If you have difficulty finding help on your campus, the AllAbroad.us website lists information on how to find a program, and possible funding resources for students of diverse backgrounds and for particular study locations. For help finding a person on your campus to assist you, students can also email globaled[at]lmu.edu.

We hope that you will take advantage of the life-changing opportunities and resources available to you, and take the steps necessary to experience the rest of the world beyond the blackboard.

Readings of Related Interest

• Global Work & Study Channel at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online
• 10 Reasons for African-American Students to Study Abroad
  By PLATO: Project for Learning Abroad, Training, and Outreach
• My Global Study Experience in Dubai
  By Brittney L. Huntley, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine
• Building Global Skills through International Internships, Coops and Study Abroad
  By Stewart David Ikeda, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine

Gary Rhodes, Ph.D., is Director of Center for Global Education, Loyola Marymount University. Jodi Ebner, B.S. is a Project Manager at the Center. The poster, "World Class/Traditional Class", is designed by Glenn Pryne, and is pictured here by permission of AllAbroad.us. The poster and others from the series are available for download at http://allabroad.us/posters.php.