Seeking Acceptance Where You Don’t Belong

by DA Global | Oct 15, 2020 | Articles

Posted: Thursday, October 15, 2020
By: Brian Henry, Study Abroad Advisor – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

I believe we all dream of a place where a warm welcome will be waiting, where we will feel like we are meant to be.  Reminiscent of a 90’s Disney movie ballad, the sentiment certainly expresses the human need to feel wanted and loved.  Yet in this world of diversity and acceptance, how do you find a sense of belonging when you are constantly reminded that you are different?

 Who am I? 

While my story is unique, my experiences uncommon, I know that my perspective and feelings are shared by many across the United States, and the world.  What makes my journey unique is that I was born in South Korea, adopted by White American parents at 11 months old, and raised in rural America.  This dichotomy of identity can inherently create complications for some who meet me.  When we are introduced to new people or concepts, it is human nature to instantaneously assign judgements and values upon them.  Unfortunately, these judgements can be false and harmful, often based on stereotypes or personal biases, which can lead to prejudice and discrimination.  In the US, there persists a pervasive and poisonous perception that all Asians are aliens, regardless that so many have called this country their home for generations and have, for better or worse, completely culturally assimilated.  The other appraisal which is both divisive and denigrating is that aliens and immigrants from other races are somehow lesser as human beings.

Throughout my life, I have encountered racism ranging from microaggressions to blatant public bigotry.   Some examples are: “go back to where you came from”, racial slurs (including being identified as Kim Jong Un), “you speak GOOD English”, and “I don’t date your kind”.  The discrimination I experienced triggered the impostor syndrome early in my life and made the Asian American aspect of my identity difficult to embrace.  To combat this and to prove that I belonged here, I expressed myself through American music and athletics, joined the military, and internally shunned my Korean heritage.  I sought out White American role models and regarded those same people as heroes or mentors, specifically avoiding connecting with anyone who might detract from my desired White American persona.  Fortunately, it was only through the thoughtful guidance and authentic advising from these same role models and mentors during my own college experiences that gave me the ability and confidence to embrace what I had rejected for most of my life.

Where do we go from here? 

Now, as we grapple with this dual pandemic of COVID and xenophobia, racial divides have become as politicized as the upcoming presidential election.  The current cultural climate in America has undoubtedly not made life any easier for people of non-White backgrounds, in some cases, reopening the scars from old wounds.  And, although institutions of higher education are declaring that they wish to breakdown the systematic racism, one of the greatest hurdles to this is that, historically, most have been highly conservative in their policies and procedures and bureaucratically structured, making organizational changes incredibly challenging.  The towns and cities in which our institutions operate may also contribute to the social systematic oppression.

However, there are continuously growing social and political movements for change.  Perhaps this will be the time for all Americans to open their hearts and minds to others, no matter who they are or where they came from.

A Challenge to the Field? 

My hope is for this narrative to provide the international education community with another perspective that has been rarely explored, to expand the definition of what it means to be American, and a call for genuine changes to how we treat one another.  I was blessed with a loving family, encouraging friends, mentors, and educators, along with an innate resilience to keep moving forward and search for silver linings.  However, not all students, nor all people will have the same, and we must remember that we do not begin or go through life with the same equities of support or access.

Furthermore, while our students are coming into college today with a vast array of intersecting identities and lived experiences, they are also increasingly aware of how they may be perceived by others.  I believe it is essential to accept and welcome them with unconditional appreciation and understanding, so that, even if it is just for a brief time, they too will feel like they belong.

FAQ Resource for Parents of High School Study Abroad Students

by DA Global | Sep 18, 2020 | Articles

Posted: Friday, September 18, 2020  

By: 2019-2020 Diversity Abroad Global Education High School Taskforce

Studying abroad can be a life changing experience that can help young adults learn about the world, develop essential life skills, and prepare them for their lives after high school. While the idea of studying abroad can be an exciting opportunity for high school students and their families, it can also be overwhelming. For parents, it is completely natural to feel uneasy about the prospect of sending your child overseas on an exchange program. You may have many questions, or you may feel like you do not even know what questions to ask. Here is our list to help answer some of those frequently asked questions, and a list of questions that you can use as you research your child’s study abroad opportunity.

Questions you might have: 

1. What is this going to provide my student that studying here cannot? 

Study abroad is a high-impact educational practice that increases positive outcomes for students. There are many activities in which your student can participate while in school, including internships, writing-intensive classes, or service learning. Study abroad offers a unique opportunity to develop cultural awareness and communication skills that will serve them well in increasingly global workplaces. Some of the benefits include:

• Preparation for college by way of living and engaging with others and adapting to a new and different environment with peers.
• Real world opportunity to develop and practice skills such as collaboration, communication, dialogue, conflict management, time management, and decision-making.
• Space for self-awareness and reflection to better understand themselves, their identities, and their relation to the world.
• Studying abroad in high school provides students with a competitive edge when applying to colleges, internships and jobs.
• Creation and expansion of domestic and international networks and relationships  that can last a lifetime, and can be leveraged for work and education.

Bonus: Read this article in Forbes to learn more about the benefits of studying abroad in high school.

2. How can my child feel comfortable in a new environment without their parent(s)/guardian?

• Before the program, discuss any fears or concerns and practice ways they can address them. Make sure to also discuss what they are excited about and are looking forward to. 
• Spend time reviewing program materials together and research their destination.
• Ask about the availability and accessibility of supports for your child should they need them while abroad.
• Encourage your child to speak with high school peers that have participated in global programs in the past. 
• Pose discussion questions that might help your student to navigate culture shock. Ask them to reflect on behaviors and routines that they are familiar with at home (such as ways of greeting people) and then encourage them to think about how these behaviors might be different in their travel destination. Ask them to reflect on behaviors that they think they are normal, rude, polite, impolite or strange at home and discuss how such behaviors might be perceived differently in their travel destination.

3. How often should/can I reach out to my child?

• Once a week and even less if possible – the more often they are engaged with “home” the more they are not present on the program; being present and not engaging with “home” much helps them more fully integrate into the host country and with their peers. Developing a daily routine in their new setting can help combat homesickness.
• Make a communication plan with your child so you know when to expect to hear from each other. Be sure to also discuss communications should emergencies arise or if your child needs additional money.

4. What does study abroad cost and how can I plan for the costs?  

The fee to participate in a global program will vary depending on destination, length of program, provider, and included services. When determining how much money to send with your child, consider your child’s spending habits at home and discuss budgeting tips, especially if your child has not been responsible for budgeting their own money in the past. The advisors for your global program will be able to make recommendations regarding cost of living in the destination and elaborate on what is or is not included in the program fee. 

Scholarships and fundraisers are a great way to prepare for additional and extra costs, but the first step will be to estimate these additional costs. Mint.com has a helpful resource for planning for international travel, and Diversity Abroad shares some budgeting tips in this article.  Before you go, speak with your bank about any ATM or credit card fees that you need to plan for. You’ll also want to make a plan for exchanging money. Exchanging money is most expensive at airports. While it can be useful to have money in the local currency before you arrive, don’t stress if this seems impossible.

When budgeting for study abroad, be sure to take into account these sometimes-overlooked costs:

• ATM fees and foreign transaction charges
• Souvenirs/gifts for home
• Gifts for homestay family
• Snacks 
• Toiletries
• Baggage fees (especially on the return home)
• Cost of luggage if needed
• Clothing if your child is going to a different climate than they currently live in
• Required immunizations or prescription medications
• Passport and visa fees
• Insurance costs 

5. How do I get my child money if they need it or lose it? 

If your child has an ATM card and you have access to putting money into their bank account as needed, transferring money to your child’s account is typically the quickest way to send them additional funds. Some general tips for money abroad:

• Be sure to talk to your program about access to money and discuss this with your child. Even if your child has a debit card, you should plan for how they will access money if it cannot be used. This is especially important if your child is going to a rural destination or a location where day to day transactions are frequently conducted in cash. How often will they have access to an ATM? Are local banks accessible to foreign visitors?  This may impact how much cash they withdraw at a time as well as how they manage their budget.
• Encourage your child to not carry all of their cash or cards with them at the same time; if they lose their wallet or purse they will still be able to access other emergency funds if they have safely stashed them elsewhere.  
• Make sure you and your child have your bank’s phone number in case you need to cancel an ATM or credit card.
• If your child does not have a debit card, Some US banks and credit unions have partnerships or shared branching agreements with foreign banks, allowing limited transactions to be completed abroad without a debit card – typically only simple transactions like balance inquiries and withdrawals are permitted. Check with your financial institution to see if this might be available to you.

6. What financial resources are available to support my child going abroad? 

Below is a list of national scholarships available for high school study abroad, as well as scholarships offered by specific organizations for specific programs. It is helpful to pursue a wide range of resources when searching for funding. Scholarships can be offered on a national or state level, or they can be limited to specific programs or opportunities, and you might find some valuable resources within your own community (try contacting your local rotary club or other local service organizations in your community). Fundraising may be crucial in order for your child to access international travel opportunities. Consider what talents and skills exist in your local community and leverage them in order to design creative fundraising projects! View CIEE’s webpage about fundraising for high school travel, and download their fundraising toolkit!

AFS Scholarships
https://www.afsusa.org/study-abroad/scholarships/

AFS Fundraising Guide
https://www.afsusa.org/study-abroad/scholarships/fundraising/#afs-nav-fundraising-ideas

American councils for international education assistance fund
https://www.americancouncils.org/us-study-abroad-assistance-fund

Brandon Goodman Scholarship
http://ww7.bgscholarship.com/

CET Financial Assistance and Scholarships
https://cetacademicprograms.com/high-school/finances/

CIEE High School Global Navigator Scholarship
https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/high-school-study-abroad/summer/global-navigator-scholarships

DC Public Schools
https://dcpsglobaled.org/why-study-abroad

Global Glimpse
https://globalglimpse.org/

Greenheart Travel Scholarship
https://greenhearttravel.org/resources/scholarships

Rotary Youth Exchanges
https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-exchanges

School Year Abroad Program Scholarships
https://www.sya.org/admissions/affording-sya/scholarships-financial-aid

The Experiment in International Living Scholarships
https://www.experiment.org/apply/scholarships/

U.S. Department of State Scholarship programs
https://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/
https://www.nsliforyouth.org/
https://www.yes-abroad.org/

Youth for Understanding scholarships
https://www.yfuusa.org/study/scholarships/

7. What resources are available to my child if they are interested in understanding how their identity might impact their experience abroad? 

• Ask the teacher or program that your child is working with if they have any available resources or would be willing to connect you with program alumni or parents of program alumni.
• Explore websites like DiversityAbroad.com. DiversityAbroad has helpful resources that can be accessed for free, such as Destination Guides  that contain useful information such as country demographics and the status of diversity and inclusion in that country.

8. How many high school students study abroad? 

• Currently, widespread data is not available to indicate how many American high school students study abroad each year. However, high school exchange programs have existed for several decades and are continuing to grow in accessibility and popularity. 
• Data should be available with the organization or program that you are considering your child travel with. They should be able to provide you statistics as well as program impact. 
• CSIET is a large professional organization that certifies many study abroad programs for high school students and collects data about participants in these programs. Helpful information about participation rates and student demographics can be accessed through their website.  Data indicates that upwards of 1,000 high schoolers travel abroad each year on CSIET-certified programs.

9. How can I connect with my child while they are abroad? 

• International calling plans can be expensive. If your child has a smartphone, consider relying on free internet-based messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, and Messenger that your child can use to call or message you over WiFi. 
• Make sure to keep time zones in mind. Your child will likely have a busy schedule so you may not be able to talk to them as frequently or at a time that is convenient for both of you.  

10. How will I know that they’re safe? 

• Be sure to review program materials and speak to the program provider or group leader about what safety measures are in place. Study abroad programs follow standardized best practices to ensure student safety, but how these practices are implemented can vary by program and country so the best source for this information are the staff working on this program or the resources they have provided you. 
• While program providers and staff do their best to ensure and monitor student safety, some of the same risks that exist in the U.S. exist abroad. For example, pick-pocketing and traffic accidents are scenarios that all students should be aware of before traveling abroad. You should encourage your child to take the same precautions they would take when traveling in the U.S., such as keeping track of their valuables at all times and looking both ways before they cross the street. As they will surely stand out as not being local to their destination, they may attract additional unwanted attention. There may be new traffic patterns that they are not used to. For example, cars may drive on the opposite side of the street or pedestrians do not have the right of way. 
• The U.S. Department of State maintains a website called travel.state.gov where safety information can be found for international travelers. Here you will be able to find out more information about the country, any current travel advisories or warnings that may exist, and any other special considerations.
• While many programs may do this on your child’s behalf, consider enrolling your child in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This is a free online system that allows international travelers to record their travel plans with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country. If anything happens while your child is in the country, they will receive important communications through this program from the U.S. Embassy abroad. 
• Visit the U.S. Center for Disease Control Traveler’s Health website for specific information about health risks or required immunizations.

11. How do I know my child is ready for study abroad? 

While studying abroad is a great opportunity, this may be your child’s first time away from you, their family, or their community, and a natural question to ask is whether your child is prepared or ready for this experience. For any student, this experience will come with challenges and growth, but it’s also okay to question whether the study abroad program seems the appropriate amount of challenging for your child’s maturity level and unique personality. 

Some traits successful study abroad participants demonstrate include maturity, motivation, curiosity, flexibility, and adaptability. Again, this does not mean these students will not face challenging situations during their time abroad, but students who show some of these characteristics are more likely to overcome these situations with a good attitude and learn from the experience. 

Consider how your child would react and respond in some of these study abroad scenarios and have honest conversations with your child about these potential challenges. If you ultimately decide this is not the right time for your child to study abroad, it does not close the door to future opportunities. Be encouraging and help your child work towards their study abroad goals.

Questions you should ask
Every global program is different. As you and your child research programs, you may find it helpful to ask some or all of the questions below.

Health & Safety

1. Who will be chaperoning my child?
2. How many chaperones will there be?
3. How do you vet chaperones? What are your chaperone requirements?
4. What is the chaperone to student ratio?
5. What plans are in place for emergencies?
6. What type of free time will my child have? Are there times when my child will be unsupervised? If so, what is the plan in the event they need to reach an adult during an emergency?
7. How do you vet host families and what information can you share about the family?
8. How will I know that my child is safe? 

Finance Matters

1. What is, or is not included in my program fee?
2. Does your program cover additional costs for participants? 
3. What will my child’s host family provide for them (i.e. financial obligations)? 
4. What financial resources are available to support my child going abroad?
5. How do you manage the ‘surprise costs’ that come up for participating in a global program? 

Country of Study or Travel Destination 

1. Where can I find out more about the host destination or host culture?
2. What is the experience of living with a host family? 

Logistics

1. What are the sleeping arrangements?
2. How can I get in touch with my child while they’re on a global program, who should I contact if I cannot reach my child?
3. How will my child be supported if my child has various needs (limited mobility, language learner, etc.)? 
4. How are the staff trained to handle identity issues when they take a child on a global program?
5. How are staff and host families equipped to navigate mental health concerns that might arise?