Students of Color in Germany

Abstract

Many visitors to Germany believe that the average German is well-meaning when it comes to embracing racial and ethnic diversity. However, there is a significant lack of representation of people of color in high-ranking professions, and race and ethnicity aren’t always part of the German conversation about diversity. In addition, there are ongoing debates about cultural diversity and whether or not immigrants should assimilate to German traditions. The good news is that the younger generation in Germany is much more in favor of two-sided cultural exchange. While U.S. students of color should not be overly concerned about experiencing racial hostility in Germany, it is important to acknowledge that racial tension does exist in Germany.