Girl’s Trip: What I Wish I Knew Before Going Abroad

Being a Black woman traveling abroad has its pits and peaks—the uncomfortable stares that occasionally turn into glares, the assumption that you may not have paid when walking out of a store, and the strangers that insist on the non-consensual petting of your hair. Then there’s the people that notice you are completely lost and help you without hesitation, those who offer suggestions on their favorite local spots, and the few that acknowledge your differences and are genuinely curious about your choice to visit their homeland.

In May, I had the opportunity to travel to Dresden, Germany for three weeks and immerse myself in a culture I had yet to experience. The group I traveled with consisted of 10 women, nine of us identifying as Black or Hispanic. Before going abroad, I knew I had to break down those cultural barriers and neglect any assumptions or generalizations I may have had about Germans. One of my main goals for this trip was to enhance my global competence, and prior to our departure, I felt confident in the skills I had acquired to do so. I hadn’t noticed that I was preparing myself to travel abroad solely identifying as an American. Despite my keen understanding that racism is a disease that can be found in various spaces, I hadn’t fully prepared myself to travel internationally as a woman who also identifies as Black. 

Upon arrival, I was thrilled to be in Europe for the first time and practice the minimal German phrases I had learned. However, I was promptly taken by surprise when students from local universities would persistently mention that Dresden is “a city stuck in its old ways” and that Saxony is “one of the most racist regions in East Germany.” Not to mention the frequent scowls we would receive from old folks, the blatant racial slurs used by a couple of locals, and the off-putting, “Why would you come to Dresden of all places?”

A dark cloud had begun to form over this trip, and I grew fearful of what my experience would turn out to be by the end. The nine other women on this trip and I decided we needed to sit down together and create a space where we could be raw and open with each other on our feelings about our shortcomings in preparation for the trip and to alter our expectations. Through this gathering, we were able to pivot our expectations to something more realistic, given our situation. It also made our bond exceedingly stronger and connected us to the common goal of not allowing racism or prejudice to ruin this trip we had been planning for months. 

Although it was sometimes exhausting or frustrating to be in a space or place where I constantly felt like an outsider, I had to come to terms that as a Black traveler in a white country, some folks are just not used to seeing someone that looks like me. Instead of keeping our eyes down when walking in the streets to avoid the excessive stares, we kept our heads high and smiled at anyone we locked eyes with. By shifting all this negativity into something positive, we could bring the joy and light we arrived with back to the surface.

Courtesy: Lauren Gordon

After this trip, I’ve learned that it can be tough at times to be a Black traveler, but with confidence, curiosity and an open heart, you can truly enjoy the journey. Look for common ground, connect with people that are open to conversation, and allow yourself to be a little vulnerable because it’s all a part of personal growth and becoming a global citizen. 

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• FSU
• germany
• global
• study abroad
• travel