Study Abroad and College Students of the African Diaspora: Attitudes, Access and Barriers

Abstract

This qualitative study examined the attitudes, preferences, and barriers to participation experienced by African American students attempting to participate in study abroad programs. A literature review indicates that African American students are grossly underrepresented in global education opportunities when compared with their overall enrollment numbers. Study abroad has been named as a valuable (both personally and academically) enriching experience granting competitive edges in postgraduate and professional endeavors in a globalized world. Twenty participants from purposively selected universities across the United States participated in a shortanswer survey of either twelve or seven questions, depending on if they participated in a study abroad program or not. The results suggest that fi nances, institutional factors, and individual differences are signifi cant factors in determining if an African American student will study abroad. Future studies tracking Black students’ active intent to study 1 MEd is the Global Programs Coordinator for all programs affi liated with the African Bioethics Consortium at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Her primary research/career focuses are international education program management, with special focus on minority, lowincome, 1st generation, and other underrepresented groups’ participation in in global education opportunities. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0972-8458. E-mail: mharr174@jhmi.edu 2 Corresponding author. PhD. is an Associate Professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. His research focus is primarily centered on two topics. The fi rst is sustainable development in agriculture and education in developing countries located primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. The second focus supports the fi rst right sizing animal traction agricultural implements developed and used by U.S. Amish farmers. This adaptation allows farmers in developing countries, whose primary source of power is either human or animal, to increase their food production and quality of life without the use of combustion engines. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7871-0972. E-mail: JWH009@shsu.edu