Travel and study abroad in the "America First" era

Educators who prepare and guide U.S. students in their study abroad experiences are facing a new and interesting questions - What might be different about studying abroad in the context of "America First?" A Chronicle of Higher Education article suggests that studying abroad may be a little more complicated than in past years. The good news is that the numbers of U.S. students studying abroad seem to be holding strong and there have been few, if any, reports of students facing negative treatment in other countries. Proper preparation for students of all political perspectives can go a long way in preventing bad experiences but perhaps more attention should be focused on the impact of reverse cultural shock, especially when the political climate in the U.S. can change in a matter of weeks while students are abroad.

Having recently traveled in Europe for three weeks, I was relieved by not feeling that I needed to obsessively watch the unfolding saga of the Trump administration every day and I was further relieved by not once being asked, "What's going on over there?" For whatever reason, the Europeans I encountered either have separated Donald Trump from the American people or they are simply tired of hearing about U.S. problems associated with his presidency.

An important thing to remember for U.S. citizens traveling, studying, or working abroad is that we are the face of person-to-person diplomacy. The way we act, how we encounter others, and our presence send messages that are likely to have more impact than many realize.