BIPOC Abroad
If you identify as a racial and/or ethnic minority in the United States, you may have questions about what your education abroad experience will be like. Often times, but not always, BIPOC students find that while studying abroad they are perceived of first and foremost as a U.S. American (and all of the stereotypes attached to that), and secondarily as a member of their race or ethnicity. Some students choose an education abroad location where "blending in" just isn't an option. Others may be interested in studying in a country where they no longer appear to be a minority at all.
Grappling with your identity abroad can be challenging. Knowing and being confident in yourself as a member of your identity group(s) prior to your term abroad can help. The Office of International Education and Global Initiatives at Binghamton University strives to create a safe and inclusive space for BIPOC students. Never hesitate to contact an advisor in the office for more information or to share your input or concerns. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 607-777-2336 or email iegi@binghamton.edu.
Visit the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) Website
General Resources:
The mission of Diversity Abroad is "to create equitable access to the benefits of global education by . . . connecting diverse students to resources and opportunity." The Diversity Abroad website is a launching point for student stories and other resources. Below is a series of questions for BIPOC students to consider when preparing for a term abroad.
The following are articles written by BIPOC education abroad alums that contain annotated tips for navigating your education abroad experience.
10 Tips for Being BIPOC Abroad, Elisabet Raquel García
Studying Abroad as a Minority, Berginald Rash
Highlighted Session:
This hour long panel session from Spring 2021 highlights the experiences of five BIPOC SUNY education abroad alumni.
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/E2cgEZsyBj0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Credit: SUNY Oswego Office of International Education and Programs
BIPOC Resources:
The following two web pages list A TON of resources on various abroad-related topics and are searchable by racial and ethnic identity.
Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality While Away, University of California, Santa Cruz
To supplement the resources above, here also are tips and student experiences shared by former BIPOC students abroad.
AAPI Students
Chinese-American and Asian in Argentina, Grace Mok
Asian in America, American in Asia, Timothy Valero
Black and African American Students
Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales: African American Perspectives (a comprehensive collection of stories/guidebook by Goabroad.com)
Black Student's Guide to Global Programs 2020-2021, Diversity Abroad
Indigenous Students
Indigenous Student Success Abroad, Northern Arizona University
American Indian Experience Abroad​, University of Minnesota
Latinx Students
Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales: Latinx Traveler Perspectives (a comprehensive collection of stories/guidebook by Goabroad.com)
Latinx Student's Guide to Global Programs 2020-2021, Diversity Abroad
How Do I Get More Information?
Contact the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)