Being a Young Black Student in Spain

This one is for my fellow Black girls. 

Hey! So, you want to study abroad? Amazing! This experience will be incredibly rewarding and will teach you so much about yourself and the world around you. There are so many different aspects of study abroad that are important to consider: learning in a new language, making new friends, staying safe while traveling, and, most importantly, being abroad as a Black girl. Obviously, I cannot speak to the experience of being a young Black man abroad, but I will do my best to address what is it is like to be a Black student abroad, an HBCU student, and, finally, a young Black woman aboard, specifically in Salamanca, Spain.  

First, as a Black student in Spain, be prepared for them to stare…a lot. This is normal for Spanish people, as I came to learn thanks to the IES Abroad Salamanca staff. The fact is that Spanish people stare. This can be extremely uncomfortable as we as Black people (and especially as Black women) are very used to existing under a microscope where our every move is questioned and scrutinized. When I first arrived and received my fair share of stares, I found myself wondering: 'Are you staring at me because I’m American, Black, a woman, or all of the above?' Our intersecting identities sometimes make it difficult to decipher what the intention behind a stare is, whether it be a curious one or a cruel one. 

My advice: don’t let it bother you. Stare back if you’re feeling daring, but overall don’t let the stares you will receive take away from the amazing experience you are about to have abroad. In my experience, the stares are harmless, and now I just assume they are admiring the way my brown complexion glows under the Salamanca sun. 

Next, make sure you carry a copy of your passport when you are traveling outside the city. The director for study abroad at Spelman College advised us of this before we left. Naturally, you will need your passport when you travel outside the country you are studying in, but it is also important to have a paper copy of it with you, just in case. Like I said, as Black people, we are constantly being watched, and in different countries that may not be used to seeing us in their streets, it is important to be prepared. 

As Black American students, there may be an inherent anxiety that arises when having to deal with law enforcement or authorities, so it is important to have important documentation so that you are prepared for anything. (Don’t let this tidbit stress you out. I am travelling with two other Black students from Spelman, and we have never had problems with the authorities in other counties, but as we know, we have to be prepared for anything!) 

Third, coming from an HBCU and studying abroad may give you double culture shock. Whether you went to a Predimonatly White Insititution (PWI) or a predominately Black/People of Color (POC) high school, you have been studying at a school surrounded by people who look like you for two to three years. If you come to study abroad in Spain, not only will there be culture shock in terms of Spanish culture, but you may also be one of a few Black students in your program. Don’t let this cause you anxiety! If you are not used to being in predominately white spaces, this may require some adjustment, and if you are used to predominantly white spaces, you’ll simply have to resituate yourself to being in a non-Black space for the semester. Even if you are one of a few in your program, you are not the only Black student studying abroad in Spain, or even Salamanca. Search on social media, get out into the city, or ask your program staff about opportunities to meet other students of color. You will definitely be able to find a community that you feel comfortable in.  

Finally, specifically for my fellow Black girls, make sure to take care of yourself while abroad: mentally, physically, and emotionally. We as Black woman have a very specific experience in the world, and while abroad many of these experiences may be heightened on account of becoming an even larger minority. So, take breaks when you need to, find spaces that feel safe for you, call your friends and family often. Make sure to give yourself the space and grace to adjust to this new environment and enjoy the five month adventure you are about to have.