Race, Racialization, and Racism: Students of Color and Short-Term Study Abroad Learning

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to understand the racialized and cultural experiences of 14 students of color who participated in a study abroad program in Rome, Italy. Using transformative learning theory (TLT) and critical race theory (CRT) as theoretical anchors, we sought to understand the role that race, racialization, and intersectional aspects of social identities held by students of color played as they made sense of their study abroad experience. Situating our work in hermeneutic phenomenological approaches, we found that race, gender, language, and nationality shaped how they navigated Italy in complex ways. Students’ experiences allowed them space to move toward critical global citizenship as they resonated and empathized with xenophobia witnessed in Italy and compared it to their experiences and observations in the United States, including the idea of Global anti-Blackness. This study has implications for future research to center the experiences of students of color in study abroad research.