Race and Ethnicity

We encourage you to research different cultural norms and perceptions of racial and ethnic identities that exist in your destination. It is also important to be aware of your own expectations and cultural assumptions. These factors can have an impact on your experience abroad, and while you may do everything you can to prepare yourself, there could still be hardships and challenges.

Questions to Consider: 

• How are people of my race and/or ethnicity perceived in my destination?  

• Will I be a minority in my destination or will I be part of the majority?  

• How does my host country’s perception of my race or ethnicity differ from what I’ve experienced in other places?  

• What are some common perceptions/stereotypes about my race or ethnicity in my destination?  

• Is there a history of racial or ethnic tension in my destination country or region?