In 1993, I went to Germany on the Congress-Bundestag Scholarship. The scholarship provided access to an international education that would not have otherwise been possible. The experience changed the course of my life.
Being an exchange student taught me about myself and my capabilities. Upon my return to the US, I discovered I had lost my fear of failure and gained an appetite for learning. Studying abroad was a confidence builder, an eye opener, and an exercise in independence. It taught me to respect differences and embrace similarities. And it gave me a unique insight into matters of diversity and inclusion that helped me connect with people in more meaningful ways.
I believe everyone should have an opportunity to study abroad. Yet, while the number of American students studying abroad is on the rise overall, the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA) reports that for the 2017-2018 academic year, a mere 6.1% of these students were Black Americans. Awareness and affordability are key factors that contribute to the low participation of Black American students, but affordability is the most significant.
When it comes to opportunities for Black US students to study abroad, the scales are unbalanced. We need to do better. The world needs a more accurate view of what it means to be “American”; that our nationality encompasses our racial diversity. Black leaders of tomorrow need experiences that are important to succeeding in a world increasingly dominated by global challenges and opportunities. We need to right the scales — which is why I created and funded the Passport to Equity Scholarship.
