SABRINA M. BROWN. HERITAGE SEEKING AND ITS IMPACT ON BLACK HBCU STUDENTS. (Under the direction of DR. LISA MERRIWEATHER)
Abstract
Study abroad is a high-impact practice in the college and university setting that can lead to increased student engagement and student success. While study abroad participation has increased, it is not a common practice across ethnic demographics or minority-serving institutions. Heritage-seeking is a form of study abroad that allows students of the ethnic minority to learn more about themselves in the context of another country. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to understand what, if any, impact heritage-seeking study abroad had on Black, HBCU students. This study also identified the aspects of heritage-seeking that are important to include in the experience to encourage student success.
This study utilized interviewed six HBCU students who participated in a heritage-seeking experience in Haiti. At the conclusion of the interviews, it was found that heritage-seeking study abroad impacted the students in two ways; it nurtured their university relationships, and it instilled a greater sense of responsibility to the Black community. This study also found that there were three aspects of heritage-seeking instrumental to this type of study abroad program: creating opportunities for students to develop relationships, developing it as an immersive experience; and allowing students the space to self-reflect.