There are myriad reasons for underrepresented students to study abroad! Studying abroad is an enriching experience that illustrates how soluble cultural partitions can be, and in a rapidly shrinking world, it’s an opportunity more accessible than ever before.
Many programs are trying to increase accessibility to education abroad for underrepresented groups.
While it’s important not to dismiss the effort and cost that embarking down such an enlightening road can impose, there are abundant opportunities for underrepresented groups in study abroad programs, not to mention many providers and organizations — such as the Fund for Education Abroad — trying to make these opportunities as accessible as possible.
What was once an opportunity reserved for upper-middle class youths (and, admittedly, they still have an advantage in this arena) has over time percolated through class and cultural divisions and provided opportunities for minorities to study abroad.
And if you’re a part of these underrepresented groups in study abroad programs, you may be wondering what exactly you need to know about education abroad — especially if you haven’t made a decision yet.
Who are underrepresented students?
You might be asking: Who are underrepresented students? Do I belong to this group? It’s a term with broad applications.
Students from low-income families, first-generation immigrants, LGBTQI+, minorities, and community college students are all considered underrepresented in both study abroad and higher education.
In other words, underrepresented students are students who lack the opportunities of more privileged demographics, typically constituting a mere fraction of a campus’ student body.
While admission to domestic universities for such students can seem insurmountable (it can seriously seem like a deal with the Devil sometimes), it’s important to know opportunities for minorities to study abroad are often more tenable and affordable than our host of exorbitantly priced colleges.
7 things underrepresented students in study abroad programs should know
1. You can find study abroad scholarships for minorities
That’s right — there are financial options to get you HERE quickly and affordably!
One of the biggest obstacles for studying abroad is financing. Luckily, there are plenty of study abroad scholarships for minorities. You just need to know where to look.
There are plentiful resources at your disposal (this is the 21st century after all, and contrary to popular belief, the Internet wasn’t exactly engineered to disseminate cat videos and discover celebrities to emulate) to find and utilize scholarships to finance your education abroad experience.
Take, for example, the Fund for Education Abroad. Through generous scholarship awards, they have made it their mission to provide underrepresented students (including students of minority background, first-generation college students, and community college students) with more opportunities to fulfill their dreams of going abroad.
So, before you count yourself out from an education abroad experience, discover all the amazing organizations promoting diversity and supporting underrepresented groups in study abroad. Perusing through such resources may yield a number of scholarship opportunities to provide funding for your education.
2. Some locations are more accessible than others
No matter how much money you make or the balance of your student loans, it’s important for any prospective study abroad student to be honest about how much they’re reasonably able to spend on education abroad, as well as how much they will be able to procure from varying scholarships and grants to supplement day-to-day expenditures.
If you come from a low-income household, this might be a more pertinent concern. Consider the cost of simply living in the surrounding city cradling your prospective university. While there are abundant countries with a manageable cost of living (like Germany — the quality of life is superb and the cost of living is regulated and reasonable), there are also plenty of cities that can easily stretch your finances thin.
For example, Northern Europe is notoriously expensive, and a city like Paris can also be difficult to manage with limited funds. If your heart is set on one of these locations though, don’t count them out! This is where organizations like FEA come in to help.
Lastly, if you’re thinking about earning money on the side while studying abroad, be aware of student visa restrictions. They can sometimes limit how much you’re able to earn (though there are jobs that pay under the table if you’re hard pressed for cash — but you’ll be doing so at your own risk).
3. Work immersion programs can defer costs
If scholarships alone can’t get you where you want to go, work-study programs are an option too.
This is a concept relatively foreign to America. In some countries, like Germany, the latter part of your studies will include industry immersion programs. This is invaluable experience that can yield incalculable benefits down the road when searching for a job after graduation. Basically, these programs require you to work at a company and get practical experience in your respective field for university credit to graduate.
It’s like a mandated internship. There are plenty of examples of students who, after working at a company and acquiring such experience, are then offered a position at the company. This could be a great entryway into a career, and who knows — you may like wherever you end up studying enough to stick around for a few years and accrue invaluable working and life experience.
4. Explore programs and schools that promote diversity
While picking a university or study abroad program, it would behoove you to select an organization that actively promotes diversity and offers assistance to members of underrepresented groups.
The reason is pretty simple — if this is your first time traveling abroad, then you may not have a firm grasp on the jarring culture shock that often comes hand-in-hand with new experiences overseas. It can be pretty alienating, and enrolling in a program with students who are enduring the same experience can really facilitate immersion. There’s something ineffable about solidarity that way.
Also, it will help you feel like you’re not the only underrepresented student (schools with a bevy of international students have students from all over the world). This will maximize the cultural benefits you’ll reap by encountering and interacting with such a diverse student population.
5. Expect culture shock
Culture shock is difficult to cope with. Try to stay positive, and use your program as a resource!
Speaking of culture shock, it’s very real and very affecting — it can make you feel like you don’t belong. People in different countries think, do, and live differently, and if you’re a person of color traveling to a predominantly white location, some experiences may leave you feeling more isolated than your peers.
One of the most disorienting experiences will be encountering almost no one who has the same cultural experiences or references as you, which may sound odd, but it informs so much of day-to-day life. Cultures are naturally exclusive and insular, so exiting those spheres can make one feel alienated and vulnerable. It can feel like relearning existence.
Everything from the norms to the food can be off-putting. But try to adapt and absorb as much as you can. It’s like photosynthesis; you have to expose yourself to the light. One of the best ways to grow is adapting to and embracing unfamiliar circumstances.
And luckily, your education abroad program should offer resources to help you cope with moments like those. Other organizations, like FEA, also make it their mission to support their students, before, during, and after their study abroad experience. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you need that additional support!
6. Research the cultural tone and direction of your destination
Cultural tone is touchy and tricky to navigate — while it’s not ideal to think about (it is, in fact, a colossal bummer), some cultures just aren’t that receptive to, or accepting of, every underrepresented individual. Just be aware that, like in America, there are far right movements sprouting up all over Europe (particularly in the East), which can make life miserable (and downright scary) for select groups.
Take Hungary, for example, whose far right government pulled out of Eurovision (a European singing competition) because it’s “too gay". Their Prime Minister also banned (and repudiates) gender studies, proclaiming “people are either born male or female".
Of course, this is not an indictment of everyone in these places; it’s just a hard truth. In fact, Eastern Europe in general is too often overlooked and under-appreciated, and cities like Budapest are enrapturing places everyone should experience at some point in their lives.
All of that to say — if you want the smoothest sailing possible, it’s important to take your identity into full consideration when choosing a study abroad location, for both your safety and state of mind. It’s not ideal, but being aware of the cultural climate and direction of wherever you want to study due to potential repercussions on your overall experience is a reality underrepresented students in study abroad must deal with.
7. Consider global impact and influence on your education and work
Lastly, while studying abroad, consider the global impact and influence this experience will have on your work. It will broaden your horizons and alter your perspective, and synthesizing all of these experiences and interactions will equip you with an unorthodox approach and (highly desired) skill-set when entering the workforce.
It’s important to be open to unfamiliar experiences and ideas. The beautiful thing about globalization is the crosspollination of ideas that would have been otherwise dismissed or abandoned by differing cultures for myriad reasons that respective cultures are often too deeply entrenched in to overcome domestically.
So take advantage of such a unique opportunity and make yourself wholly available to the experience!
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Underrepresented groups in study abroad programs will flourish!
You’re ready to conquer your education abroad experience!
While it might be intimidating or seem unattainable, don’t doubt your capability! Underrepresented groups will undoubtedly flourish in study abroad programs. It’s more achievable than you think, but it comes down to making the effort and finding the right resources.
Remember to anticipate sizable culture shock and to scour the Internet for scholarship opportunities. Don’t forget to be cognizant of the cost of living and varying advantages each education system offers when weighing your options, and be aware of unfortunate cultural trends that seem to be suffusing across the Western World.
Do your research and find the optimal program that is diverse and will help you develop as a thinker, worker, and person. This is a commendable investment in yourself, and you deserve this experience. Go get ‘em!
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This article was written with support from the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA). FEA prides themselves on their commitment to increase the number of underrepresented American college students engaged in international education. Applications for Spring 2021 programs will open on July 1, 2020.
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