Latine student success abroad

While you may have grown up being classified by your race or ethnicity here in the U.S., when you are abroad you may be classified first by your country–as an American–rather than a Hispanic or Latine American. Locals you meet will most likely have an opinion about the USA before they meet you and want to discuss U.S. culture, politics, and current events with you, both positive and negative.

Others may also make assumptions based on your physical appearance, resulting in staring at you or wanting to touch your hair or skin. They may openly ask you questions about your cultural heritage, where you’re from, or the way you look.

If someone says or does something that is offensive to you, try to determine if this person is simply curious about you or has bad intentions. In uncomfortable situations, remember to always put your own safety first.

You may identify with your Hispanic/Latine heritage or demonstrate those values in different situations. This may provide an opportunity to share your culture abroad with others. It is an exciting time but can also be overwhelming. You and your family may wish to discuss the concerns you have about going abroad and want to talk to someone together. It’s important to communicate these needs with your Education Abroad advisor, so we can work together to make sure you are prepared and have the support you need at home and at NAU in order to have a positive experience abroad.

You also may have other personal identities, such as multiracial, LGBTQIA, a student with a disability, First-Gen, low-income, and/or non-traditional student. These intersecting identities make you unique! As a result, your experience abroad will also be uniquely yours. We are here to help you navigate your personal journey.

Finances for study abroad are a consideration for nearly all students regardless of race/ethnicity. NAU and other organizations offer special scholarships for study abroad, financial aid (grants, loans) can be applied to almost all programs, and merit-based NAU scholarships (Lumberjack, Blue, Gold, Transfer) can be applied to exchange programs. Some rules and restrictions apply based on the type of scholarship and program, and your Education Abroad advisor can help explain what scholarships are best for you to apply for. Visit our scholarships page for more details.

Here are a few specific scholarships geared towards Latine and minority students: Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Fund for Education Abroad, the Gilman Scholarship. As an underrepresented ethnic group, we encourage you to attend our scholarship workshop and apply!

Some students have responsibilities in their families or communities that prevent them from being away from home for an extended period of time. We offer hundreds of programs, including short-term programs lasting only a few weeks to accommodate different life situations. Other students who have more flexibility for a longer program can go abroad for a semester or academic-year for an immersive experience. You can focus on courses for your degree plan or explore our special topic courses.

To prepare, learn more about other diverse students’ experiences both at NAU and abroad through the Office of Inclusion and our network of study abroad alumni. Ask your Education Abroad advisor for more details.

Some questions to consider and research before you go abroad:

• How is my ethnicity/race perceived in my host country? What kind of stereotypes are there?
• As a Latine, how will I be viewed if I student in a Hispanic country?
• What advice do you have for students who will be studying abroad in a country of their heritage?
• If staying in a host family, have they housed minority students before? If not, will this be an issue for them?
• Am I used to being part of the majority at home but will be a minority abroad? Or vice versa?
• Will there be other minority students in my program?
• Who should I contact if I do face racial or discriminatory incidents?
• Does my program have support staff that will understand and help me through any racial or discriminatory incident I may face?
• How can I use my presence abroad to represent U.S. diversity and share my culture and values in a positive way?

There are also ways to connect abroad and connect with other Hispanic travelers as well:

• join social media groups and forums
• chat with people “IRL” too
• remember to branch out
• be open minded
• read articles and travel blogs
• host an event in your community