Category Stories: Racial and Ethnic Identity
-
Finding a Home Away from Home
posted on
When I first boarded a plane from the U.S. to Shanghai for my study abroad experience, excitement and fear surged. I had dreamed of traveling abroad, but nothing quite prepares you for the moment when familiar language, food, and routines disappear all at once. Coming from a Brazilian background, where conversation and shared meals are part of…
-
How Leaving the U.S. to Study Abroad Changed My Life
posted on
Initially, I was hesitant to study abroad. Having never traveled outside of America, I knew I was committing to learning a new way of life and being alone in an unfamiliar country. Despite these uncertainties, taking this leap of faith taught me things about myself and allowed me to experience a new way of life and culture.…
-
I Belong Here: A First-Generation Experience Abroad
posted on
When I first got to Galway, I was so nervous. I kept asking myself, can I really do this? I come from a family of Ethiopian immigrants. As a first-generation student, studying abroad felt impossible. Traveling wasn’t a regular thing for us growing up. Every summer, my friends would come back with stories of all…
-
Staying Culturally Connected During Study Abroad
posted on
It’s so exciting to get to know the culture of another country when you’re studying abroad—new food, new music, new people, new landscapes, new everything! But sometimes a wave of homesickness can hit you unexpectedly hard. Here are a few things I’ve been doing over the past year to feel more connected to home and…
-
Rediscovering My Chinese American Identity as a Student in Shanghai
posted on
Overcoming doubts When I first decided to come to Shanghai, I was filled with doubt. From everything I had heard about study abroad, I knew I should choose a location that guaranteed constant adventure. But I’d been to Shanghai before, and in fact, to China a couple times. As a Chinese American who spoke fluent…
-
My Study Abroad Journey in Mexico Doesn’t End Here
posted on
The best way I can describe the discomfort of ending my study abroad experience is to compare it to finishing a good TV show. Going in, I felt that everything I wanted to accomplish would have to be done within the confines of this short time, within a season. My experience included characters, people I…
-
Finding Diversity and Belonging Through Study Abroad in Buenos Aires
posted on
Before coming to Argentina, I had a lot of anxiety. I was excited, of course, but I couldn’t ignore the nervousness bubbling underneath. As someone who identifies as both Black and Latina, I carried the weight of not knowing how I’d be perceived here. Would I be stared at? Would I face microaggressions? Would I…
-
A Young, Black, English Teacher in China
posted on
During my study abroad with IFSA in Shanghai, China, I was offered an unpaid internship opportunity to teach English to migrant children. After going through the required bureaucratic documentation, I was finally allowed to start teaching after a few weeks of living in Shanghai. This began what was honestly a life-changing experience. As a Chinese…
-
How Studying Abroad in Mérida Inspired Me to Dream Bigger
posted on
From my time in Mérida, the greatest lesson I learned is to overcome the limiting thoughts I once held about my life. Before, I would look at my dream—to build my own business—and think: “That kind of life isn’t for a first-generation Mexican American from a low-income family like me.” Belonging and learning to live…
-
Finding Heritage in the Highlands
posted on
I felt a deep connection to Scotland before arriving here. My grandfather was extremely proud of our Scottish heritage and made a point to talk about his love for this country and culture as frequently as possible. I was raised in the Presbyterian Church, the roots of which trace back to Scotland. There was even…
Blog Categories
- Uncategorized (58)