Studying Abroad has had a huge impact on my life both personally and academically. This is my third time studying abroad at Michigan State University and definitely not my last! Being abroad allowed me to see the world in a different perspective. While abroad, I was immersed into different cultures and backgrounds that I was not familiar with. While abroad I faced some challenges, being a student of color. While participating in the Social Science Scholars Field Study Abroad, I had the opportunity to learn about pressing, controversial issues such as surveillance capitalism and climate change. Having the opportunity to receive lectures from Oxford professors was truly amazing and I gained a lot of new knowledge. I was also able to gain significant and meaningful relationships with some of my peers as well as my professors. Studying abroad truly enhances your educational experience, allowing you to step outside of the traditional norm of a classroom, and learn in a different environment. 

As a result of my experiences abroad thus far, it has motivated me to conduct research on the predispositions, factors, and experiences of students of color studying abroad. With the demographics of students who study abroad being so disproportionate, Caucasian students making up the majority, promoting diversity within these types of programs are important. With this research project, I have hopes that my research efforts will bring awareness to study abroad in general and to diversifying study abroad. Traveling is one of my passions and I believe everyone should at least study abroad at least one time in their lives!

Name: Deandrea White
Status: Junior
Major: Social Relations and Policy
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Program: Social Science Scholars Field Study Abroad in the UK