<p>I'm deeply interested in studying abroad as a college sophomore or junior and I plan on attending an information session once school starts. </p>
<p>Does anyone know how minority students are treated in the United Kingdom or in Germany? It's not something I would normally worry much about but my parents requested I research this before they are willing to fund any programs in Europe. Both my parents have had horrible experiences with racism so they expect me to prepare for the worst in case something goes wrong.</p>
<p>I'm still looking at possible study options in Germany but the UK has been narrowed down to Chester, England or Winchester, England due to the connections my school has with their schools.</p>
<p>From what I understand, you’ll be fine. As a minority, I lived in Holland for quite sometime with no problem. I also had minority friends who spent time in Denmark, Germany, London, etc. with absolutely no issues. What’s more, I found those countries to be a great deal more progressive and accepting than many areas of the U.S that I’ve been to. The bottom line is : there are racist people everywhere and there are non-racist people everywhere. No one can guarantee you that you won’t experience racism abroad, but did I, or my friends, find it to be widespread or systemic in those places? Absolutely not. </p>
<p>I don’t think it could be worse than in the US, with its peculiar sensitivities and taboos about race. Each country in Europe has its own historical quirks when it comes to race, like Arabs in France or Pakistanis in Britain. Europeans will probably see you as an American first, indeed many minorities find that liberating. As an Asian American, I was quite sensitive about the issue when I moved to Europe in the late 1970s and I almost never think about it now. It will be a great adventure for you.</p>
<p>It’s old, but if you don’t know it, James Baldwin’s essays, Notes of a Native Son, have a lot about being black and living in Europe. </p>
<p>I completely agree with both comments. Racism exists in every country. Europe does not have as long a history as the USA when it comes to people of different backgrounds interacting together so they’re still figuring it out. I agree that most likely you will be viewed as an American rather than your race. The important thing is to immerse yourself in the host culture (be it Germany or UK) so as to not stick out as an American so much (remember you are going abroad to experience a new way of life). It is unfortunate that your parents have had such negative experiences -they are worried about you because you’ll be so far away from them to comfort you/ support you if a racist interaction was to happen to you. I think the best thing to do is to sit down with your parents and talk to them about why you want to study abroad in those particular countries, how it will impact your major and career goals and how you have been mentally/emotionally preparing for this experience as well as how you will keep in contact with them. Your parents are worried about you and want to make sure that you have the best experience possible so show them that you have done your homework to help alleviate their concerns. Bonne chance!</p>
<p>Europe has been interacting with Asia and Africa for thousands of years, obviously, not to mention the tonnes of multiracial empires and countries that have always existed there. The Roman Empire had huge territories in North Africa, for heavens sake.</p>
<p>You are right, @keepittoyourself. Unfortunately the track record of those interactions is often not so great, especially the long history of colonialism and subjugation.</p>
<p>No, but Uncle Ben is found in almost every American supermarket. Probably sold near where the Redskins play…</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I do think Piet is more than a little racist (though, of course, as that Slate article describes, probably invented by an American). But my point is that nearly all countries have comparable things; we shouldn’t single places out.</p>
<p>Never. But it is a racist symbol that is everywhere in a particular country.</p>
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<p>You’re right about this. In the ad, I misread “America” for “Amsterdam.”</p>
<p>But come on. Saying that America like all countries has racist symbols is hardly ‘out to hate America’, unless you think that anything other than unquestioning love and devotion is Anti-American.</p>
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<p>And how many is that? Are you a white American?</p>
<p>For the record, of all the countries I’ve lived/worked/visited, the US is “meh” - not the best, not the worst.</p>
<p>Which country would you describe as being better in terms of opportunities, freedom of religion, educational advancement etc? I am not saying that the USA is perfect but I think many countries have had their problems but the USA has been forced to deal with theirs. </p>
<p>People - sudents, other people, whoever - will probably see you as American first, as that is your home country. Germany is pretty much the one country in Europe where everybody on the continent are thinking about and moving to right now, so I don’t think this would be a big problem there, but I can’t say much about GB. Of course, this varies a lot depending on where you are in the country. </p>
<p>About education, generally - if you want courses in English and want to really experience another culture, it’s always a good idea to know the language. There are a lot of great unis in GB. But. I’ve understood that getting your qualifications for tertiary education in Germany is <em>really hard</em>. Really. Hard. Their universities can be pretty hardcore as well.</p>
<p>OK so I have a black friend who was from England, born and raised, and I’m going to tell you exactly what she told me, people don’t seem to care much about race there. She’s not experienced racism that much, if at all, and she is perfectly happy there and thinks that America sounds like “rubbish” in comparison for how she would get treated as a “minority”.
Also, being a minority somewhere can be an enlightening experience. I’m white so I’m the majority here, but I studied for 2 years in Asia, effectively making myself a minority for those 2 years (and I can’t wait to go back!). I experienced both ends of the spectrum, people treating me worse because I don’t look like them, but also people curious about me and my culture because I look different. I chose to ignore the bad and focus on the good, so no matter where you study abroad I think it really depends a lot on mind set and that it’s what you make it. I wish you luck!</p>
<p>If your thinking about germany, location makes a big difference. With the recent rise in immigrants, namely of Turkish descent, southern Germany has had a rise in racist and bigoted individuals such as skinheads in the south/southeast. If you have a skin tone similar to someone from the Middle east/Indian subcontinent be prepared for potential racism throughout Europe. There has been a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment throughout Europe, especially Germany, England, and France. Mind you you chances of racism are still pretty slim, but they are much higher than they have been in the past.</p>