Tips for Living Abroad - Discrimination

Studying abroad will change your life. The majority of your experiences abroad will be positive. But just like life at your home school, you may encounter some discrimination on your travels. Remember that there is no where in the world 100-percent free of ignorant people. Whatever happens, however, don’t let the possibility of discrimination prevent you from experiencing the many benefits of study abroad.

Take a few minutes to learn how discrimination abroad:

The Facts

International experiences have had a tremendous effect on the personal and professional lives of countless minority business professionals, entertainers, athletes, as well as community and government leaders. 

While no place is completely free from discrimination, many minority students discover less discrimination abroad than at their home universities.

Curiosity or discrimination?

You may discover what at first seems like discrimination is in fact curiosity. It’s your challenge to figure out the difference. Many people you encounter will show a sincere interest in your culture. There may be people who stare at you or who are eager to touch your hair or your skin. Others may ask insensitive questions about your cultural heritage, physical features or national origins. Many of the insensitive questions or actions you may encounter wouldn’t be accepted in a multi-cultural society like the United States. But if you’re abroad in an area where people have had little or no contact with minority students, people, especially children, tend to be very curious. If somebody says or does something that is offensive to you, try to distinguish between a person who is genuinely curious about you and your culture and someone who has bad intentions.

An opportunity to change minds

In many parts of the world people’s only connection with minorities comes from portrayals of minorities on TV or in movies. Sometimes the media doesn’t portray minorities in a favorable light.  As such, you have the opportunity to be a representative for minorities abroad. Show who you are. Be an ambassador for your culture abroad. If you do, you will help change the perceptions of minorities for the positive.

Remember, you may face some sort of discrimination while abroad. Don’t let this possibility rob you of the many benefits  that you will gain.