Heritage study in study abroad

One of the persistent problems in study abroad patterns for U.S. domestic students is that students from diverse cultural backgrounds are underrepresented. As student abroad administrators and other educators advocate for internationalization, student abroad is one of the strategies that is most widely used but it's a problem if it only reaches one segment of the student population.

Heritage study is a possible way to encourage more diverse participation in study abroad. With over 50% of U.S. students going to Europe for study abroad and with 72% being White while multicultural students are only 6%, educators clearly need to expand opportunity through sites and participation. Heritage study includes countries and experiences that relate to students' cultural heritage and has the potential to boost pride and confidence in their backgrounds. William Pruitt, himself a former participant and now an administrators for study abroad, indicates, "I've always asked fellow international affairs administrators, 'Does your program's study-abroad portfolio mirror the diversity of your student body.'" Heritage study may be a way to become more representative in both the type of experiences students have and who participates.