Race Ethnicity & Heritage Abroad
Racial and ethnic relations vary by culture and region and may impact your study abroad experience. The transition to studying abroad may prompt new ways of thinking about your own and other people鈥檚 identities in which race and ethnicity play a role. For example, while in your host destination, you may be perceived as part of an ethnic minority or majority that is different from your experience in Canada. Local norms and expectations may mean that your racial or ethnic identities would be perceived and understood differently by others in the context of your host destination.
Getting Started
- Plan 1-3 terms in advance of your proposed study abroad term to research and consider your options when selecting your host destination.
- We encourage you to connect as early as possible to the various resource offices as we are here to support you navigate your experience abroad.
Preparing to Go Abroad
Researching the history of racial and ethnic relations in your host region can help you prepare yourself for situations you may encounter involving these dynamics. Being more informed would also encourage you to recognize and question your own assumptions and misconceptions, allowing you to more meaningfully engage with your host community and culture. On this page, we have compiled some resources and considerations for navigating race and ethnicity that may be helpful in preparing for your study abroad experience.
Heritage Seekers
Heritage seekers are students who are drawn to study abroad to learn more about their cultural, racial, ethnic, linguistic, and/or religious background. Studying abroad can be an incredibly fulfilling experience and an opportunity for you to gain more in-depth understanding of your own identity.
If you are a heritage seeker, navigating your perception of identity and sense of belonging abroad can be a complicated process. There may be emotional highs and lows compounded by your intersecting racial, ethnic, and cultural identities. While you may be welcomed into the host community due to your shared heritage, there may also be instances where you are treated as an outsider due to cultural differences from your background or upbringing. For example, you may be identified more as a non-local, experience generalizations about your perceived racial/ethnic identities, or face different expectations from community members due to your cultural ties.
Questions & Considerations
Racial & Ethnic Relations in Host Destination
- What is the racial and ethnic composition of my host destination? Is the host community primarily homogeneous or diverse?
- What is the history of ethnic or racial tension in the region? Is the situation currently hostile to members of a minority/majority race or ethnicity?
- Are issues of racism/ethnic discrimination influenced by immigration in my host region? How do politicized immigration concerns fuel racial tensions? What is the character of immigrant communities?
- Are there laws in the host region governing race and/or ethnic relations? What protections are offered to racially marginalized groups?
Perceptions of Race, Ethnicity & Identity
- How would my heritage, race, and ethnicity be perceived in my host region? How would I navigate this new space, especially if I come from a multi-ethnic/multi-cultural background?
- Am I used to being in the racial or ethnic minority or majority in Canada? Will this be different in my host destination? If so, how might that make me feel?
- Where do people of my race/ethnicity fit into my host destination鈥檚 society? Am I likely to be a target of racism? How may my experience abroad differ from that of in Canada?
- How might I respond if someone makes incorrect assumptions about my racial or ethnic identity?
- How might I feel if I were identified by my nationality instead of my race or ethnicity?
Considerations for Heritage Seekers:
- Do I speak the local language? How would that affect my experience?
- How are the cultures and traditions of my host country similar or different to those with which I was raised?
- How might I respond if someone makes incorrect assumptions about my identity and connection to the host culture?
Support & Resources
Check out the Safety and Study Abroad section on the 51社区黑料Study Abroad website for detailed information and resources on travel safety abroad including emergency contacts and mental wellness support while abroad.
- What types of support are offered by my intended study abroad program? Is there someone in-country I can go to for support and resources if I experience discrimination or microaggressions?
- Are there local multicultural groups or activities I can join?
Student Perspective
Continue exploring your options with these next steps:
1) Attend a Study Abroad or Exchange Info Session
2) Research your options
3) Learn how to fund your study abroad
4) Speak with a Study Abroad Advisor