African American Students Study Abroad

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African American Students Study Abroad

• Pascha Bond
• 11/02/2006

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Introduction
The purpose of this research is to allow
African-Americans to see how important it is to
study abroad. This opportunity will allow
African American to broaden their horizon. This
is an issue in todays school/society due to the
fact that opportunities such as this are not
discussed especially in low income household. If
studying abroad is discussed, the expense of
study abroad will take precedence over the
multicultural advancement opportunities for
African American . Based on the structure of
education in the United States, how can we as
educators prepare students to study abroad?
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Overview

• Myths and Racial Prejudice
• The Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad
• The Structure of Education in the United States
• Examples of different opportunities studying
  aboard for African Americans.

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Myths and Racial Prejudice
The primary myth is that education abroad
experience is not for African American students,
especially in the traditional European study
sites. There is an assumption is that European
racism is so overwhelming that Black students
would be better off remaining in their own
country when they understand the politics of
racism and can make the necessary adjustments.
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The Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad
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• Expand employment opportunities. According to
  spring 1998 edition of the Black Collegian, top
  10 employers are seeking graduates who can think
  critically and also have a global perspective.

• Increase your understanding of the world and our
  society. While study abroad can be a vital link
  to global competence, it is also an integral part
  of multicultural competence.

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• Broaden your experience with traveling outside
  the U.S. is education in itself.

• Meet people from different backgrounds and
  cultures. A period of study outside the U.S.
  enables you to meet students not only from the
  host country but other nations as well.

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• Increase your income potential. Study abroad
  on your resume definitely gives you a competitive
  edge.

• Explore new interests. While visiting a
  different country take the opportunity to learn
  the language and have fun.

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• Learn specific skills that are career related.
  Learn a second language or do an international
  internship.

• Gain new insights and outlooks while enjoying
  new relationships. By living in the country, you
  get an insiders perspective on the social and
  political structure of your host country.

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• Take control of your future. While the debate
  still continues on the preservation of
  affirmative action, you will be in a position to
  compete and fully participate in a global,
  ethnically diverse workforce.

• Find out what you want to do in life. Many
  students report that study abroad can be a
  life-changing experience that can also open many
  new career choices.

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The Structure of Education in the United States

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Based on the Structure of Education in the United
States, do students get this experience to be
prepared for global citizenship.
Research shows that the nurturing of global
consciousness requires that young people
1.) Experience a caring environment. 2.) Have
opportunities to engage in decision making and
prosocial action. 3.) See prosocial behavior
modeled by adults. 4.) Develop skills such as
perspective-taking and conflict resolution. 5.)
Have opportunities to confront injustice.
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Examples of Different Opportunities Study Aboard
for African Americans

• Council, www.ciee.org, offers scholarships for
  undergraduates, typically for 500 - 1500. The
  Bailey Minority Scholarship for students of color
  can be used with Council programs for study,
  work, and volunteering abroad.
• Rotary International has one of the largest
  scholarship programs of all. Available to
  undergraduates and graduates. www.rotary.org
• The Peace Corps is a great option for anyone
  interested in working directly with ordinary
  people in more than 95 less-developed countries.
  www.peacecorps.gov.

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Continue with Different Opportunities Studying
Abroad

• Fogarty International Centers Minority
  International Research Training (MIRT) Grant
  sends minority students abroad, accompanied by
  U.S.college faculty, with full funding to do
  health-related research worldwide.
  www.fic.nih.gov.
• The Woodrow Wilson International Fellowship
  foundation offers several programs for students
  of color interested in international careers, who
  must apply in their sophomore year of college.

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Conclusion
With the internationalization of the American
economy, it is imperative that African American
students acquire more knowledge and sensitivity
to global issues. This knowledge and experience
will enable them to participate fully in a
workforce that is ethnically and culturally
diverse. I challenge to every African American
student pursing a high school diploma or college
degree to begin immediately to chart a new course
for the future. Begin exposing yourself to a
variety of different cultures and contribute to
academic topic of interest. What, then, is their
role of schools in preparing young people to see
themselves as part of this larger whole that
includes not just their neighborhood, community,
or country, but the world?
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References

• Study Abroad Matters (2005) Website
  www.transitionsbroad.com/listings/study/articles/s
  tudyjul1.html
• Digest Of Education Statistics Tables and Figures
  (2001) Website http//165.224.221.98/programs/dig
  est/d01/fig1.asp
• Council on International Educational Exchange
  (2006). Study abroad and work abroad with CIEE.
  Website http//www.ciee.org
• The PeaceCorps (2006). The PeaceCorps work on
  issues ranging from AIDS education to information
  technology and environmental preservation.
  Website www.peacecorps.gov
• Rotary International (2005). Rotary promotes
  world peace and understanding through local and
  global service projects. Website
  www.rotary.org
• Noddings, Nel (2005) Changing Vision of
  Education, Education Citizens For Global
  Awareness, p.107.
• Petersons (2005) More than 1,900 Study-Abroad
  Programs Worldwide, Study Abroad.