Study Abroad: Dealing with Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation

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Attitudes toward gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation vary from culture to culture. Inevitably you will encounter or observe ways your host country handles diversity issues that may slightly or dramatically diverge from the way issues are handled and viewed in the U.S. You may find your new culture's opinion of particular minority groups disturbing or upsetting. The best thing to do in this case is to remind yourself that this is a learning experience. You're not only learning about another culture, but you're probably noticing new things about your own cultural identity by comparison.

When planning to go abroad, take the time to consider your own cultural identity and values in terms of gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation and what potential differences may arise between your cultural values and views and those of your host country. Perhaps you will fit more easily into a cultural group while abroad than you do at home. As much as possible, refrain from setting unrealistic expectations about how you will be perceived by the host culture. Realistically, living abroad involves challenges unique to particular minority groups.

Gender roles: Back to the Dark Ages?

Coming from a country where so much attention and effort has been given to the equality of the sexes and women shattering the glass ceiling, you may find your host country's treatment or view of women disappointing or disturbing. Or perhaps you will be surprised that your host country is more advanced than the U.S. in the way it treats women. Growing up in the U.S. has given you a perspective of gender roles that may differ from your host country's expectations of male and female roles. Realize that host nationals view you in light of the gender constructs that prevail in the host culture. This can occasionally make you feel uncomfortable, particularly during the beginning of your stay.

Before departing, try to understand the gender roles in the culture to which you are traveling. Remember that what may be appropriate and friendly behavior in the U.S. could bring you unwanted attention in your new country.

Perceptions of American women

The American pop culture that manages to find its way to other countries hasn't exactly helped the image of the American woman (think Baywatch, Jerry Springer, and Brittany Spears). In fact, TV, movies, and advertising have created a distorted stereotype of the cheap and easy American woman. Furthermore, in some places throughout the world, American women maintain a lifestyle that sharply contrasts with traditional behavior for women.

With these things in mind, realize that simple things, such as a smile, a hairstyle, or the way you carry yourself or make eye contact, can have different interpretations abroad than they do at home. Body language reflects cultural differences: U.S. students often report that people do not understand that their familiar way with strangers is a gesture of friendship.

Behave conservatively until you figure out the most appropriate way to act in your new home. Ask for advice from a local friend. Respecting the social rules helps your relationships with host nationals.

Check out the following resources for additional information on women travelers:

• Half the Earth: Women's Experiences of Travel Worldwide, edited by Miranda Davies et. al., published in U.S.A. by Routledge and Kegan Paul.
• Women Travel: Adventures, Advice and Experience, edited by Natania Jansz and Miranda Davies, published by Prentice Hall, New York (1992).
• A Journey of One's Own: Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler, by Thelia Zepatos, published by The Eighth Mountain Press, Portland (1992).
• www.journeywoman.com: Online travel magazine for women.

Harassment happens: What you can do

You probably rarely experience men whistling or hooting at women (unless the guys are drunk). However, believe it or not, this type of behavior is common in other cultures. While abroad, you may notice men staring at you or making comments as you walk down the street. Ignore it as best you can. This behavior isn't necessarily culturally acceptable, but you're getting this attention because you're foreign.

If you encounter uncomfortable situations and behaviors, try using one of the following tactics:

• Gain control of the conversation. You start asking the questions. Initiate rather than react. Change the subject to something neutral, like literature or history. Maintain a gracious sense of humor.
• Be direct and specific. Tell the other person that you want him or her to stop whatever is making you uncomfortable. Stay calm, serious, and use body language that coincides with your words. Don't giggle, smile, or apologize! This could undermine your message.

Cultural differences never excuse verbal or physical abuse. If you find yourself in such a situation, try to remove yourself from it as quickly as possible, confront the person, or ask others (your program director, other women, or local authorities) for help.

Playing the dating game

If you want to date, have fun, but first find out the "dating rules" from a local friend. Always keep in mind the differences between your culture and your host culture; therefore, you should be more cautious about dating than you are in the U.S. In some cultures, the American notion of casually dating several people at once is unheard of. In some places, if you date, you are in a relationship; thus, dating two people at once is cheating!

Americans are much more accustomed to having close friends of the opposite sex than other cultures are. For example, American women used to having male friends may not realize that just being seen with a man, talking with a man, or going out with a man has a different "meaning" than intended. Always ask yourself, what do my actions mean in the culture I am in? Is that what I intend? If not, change your behavior so that you don't send unintended messages.