Diversity Issues in Study Abroad – Student Testimonies

Smith College created a fantastic booklet called Diversity Issues in Study Abroad that is available online for no cost. The booklet is a collection of quotes done through a survey of Brown University students returning home from spring semester/full year 1999-2000 or fall semester 2000-2001 studying abroad. The booklet includes issues of diversity in study abroad, including ethnicity, heritage, sexual orientation, religion, minority/majority issues, physical appearance and language. Students share real-life stories and experiences from their time studying abroad.

Locations discussed include a broad range of specific countries within Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. Valuable statistics are featured in graphs along with photographs of various countries visited.

This booklet includes some amazing testimonies from students, some who experienced being a minority for the first time and some who were treated like locals.In this booklet, students explore the varying concepts of ethnicity, racism, gender, and sexuality all within their different intercultural experiences. Gaining intercultural experience can be life changing, as it teaches us about different people, different cultures and differing ways of life. As we learn more about other cultures and their worldviews, habits and beliefs, we learn more about ourselves and the millions of people that make up the world around us. Intercultural experience is a powerful and valuable thing.