{"id":1046,"date":"2022-08-15T00:00:52","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T05:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/?page_id=1046"},"modified":"2025-12-08T10:18:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:18:27","slug":"multicultural-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/identity-resources\/multicultural-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Multicultural Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Students with multicultural identities will have unique opportunities and challenges during their study abroad\/away experience(s).\u00a0 The Smith Center recognizes and honors that many students may face unique familial, financial, and\/or personal barriers in the study abroad\/away process.\u00a0 The Smith Center strives to remove as many barriers as possible in the application, advising, participation, and re-entry processes.\u00a0 We strongly encourage all students who are interested in \u00a0study abroad\/away to meet with a Smith Center Advisor<\/a>\u00a0or a staff member in the\u00a0Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion\u00a0Office.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n \t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAcademic Plan\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/button>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t
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How long do you want to be abroad\/away?\u00a0 How will your abroad\/away experience fit into your four-year plan?\u00a0 See studying abroad\/away as an opportunity to expand your understanding of the world, enhance your resume and employment application materials, and as an opportunity to gain new experiences that will inform your future academic coursework and career.\u00a0 Do your research!\u00a0 The more you know about your academic program and the host community, the more you can prepare and share with your support networks.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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How is your racial or ethnic identities perceived in the host community?\u00a0 What stereotypes exist?\u00a0 What is the history of racism or ethnic tension in the host community?\u00a0 If you are traveling to a place where you identify with the local racial identity or cultural heritage, consider how you will be perceived as an American of that identity or heritage.\u00a0 Remember that culture and customs may differ between you and the host community depending on history and context.\u00a0 Additionally, be aware that because of these differences or other factors, you may not be viewed as part of the host community by certain individuals.\u00a0 This may cause feelings of stress, uncertainly, anger, etc. \u2013 all of which are completely valid.\u00a0 In the United States, you may be perceived by your racial or ethnic identity first, but abroad, many students report being perceived as an American, first and foremost.\u00a0 Consider how you may respond or react to requests from locals wanting to take your picture, touch your hair or your skin, ask culturally insensitive questions, etc.\u00a0 In areas where locals have had minimal contact with people of color, people, especially children, tend to be very curious.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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How visible is the racial or ethnic community in the host community?\u00a0 Are there organizations you can join or be apart of, if interested?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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If you are living with a host family, have they hosted a student of color or ethnically diverse student in the past?\u00a0 If not, will this be an issue for them \u2013 or for you?\u00a0 With whom and how can you report and seek support for racially biased or motivated incidents?\u00a0 Find support!\u00a0 Traveling or studying abroad is an exciting and sometimes challenging time, especially, if you are the first in your family to do it.\u00a0 Be sure to find people on and off campus who support your decision.\u00a0 Talk with other students about their experience abroad\/away \u2013 what are their tips, insights, and advice?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Some programs offered by St. Olaf are less expensive than the cost of staying on campus for the semester or year.\u00a0 Your financial aid package (including scholarships and grants \u2013 with the exception of work study while off-campus) will be applied to your study abroad\/away program.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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Helpful Links<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
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PLATO \u2013 <\/a>Resources for Students of Color Considering Study Abroad\/Away<\/span>
\nThe Blog Abroad \u2013<\/span><\/a> A Blog by a Woman of Color and Her Travels Abroad<\/span>
\n<\/span>Diversity Abroad \u2013 <\/a>Minority & Students of Color Abroad
\nIES \u2013 <\/span><\/a>Traveling with Natural Hair<\/span>
\nLCNN \u2013 <\/a>Lessons I\u2019ve Learned as a Black Traveler
\nNomadness Travel Tribe<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Blog on traveling by Black and Brown voices
\nBlack & Abroad<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 A multi-platform travel & lifestyle company
\nTravel Noire<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

\n \t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tGoAbroad.com Resources\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/button>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t
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GoAbroad.com \u2013 Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales, African American Perspectives<\/a><\/span>
\nGoAbroad.com \u2013 Students of Color Study Abroad: The Good, The Bad, The Weird<\/span><\/a>
\nGo Abroad. com \u2013 Studying Abroad As A Minority\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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This link<\/a>\u00a0is published by IES and includes resources for Morocco, South Africa, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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The Safe Place<\/a><\/span>\u00a0app \u2013 \u201cThe Safe Place\u201d Is a Minority Mental Health App geared towards the Black Community. App features include:<\/p>\n