Critical Testimonios of Chicanas/Latinas Studying Abroad in Guatemala

• In Event: 14.044 - Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: 14.044-11 - Locating the Self: College Students and Youth in Unsettling Locations

Abstract

Research that focuses on Chican@/Latin@ students’ experiences within study abroad programs is minimal and specific research on Chicana/Latina students is non-existent. The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyze how five Chicana/Latina students navigate their academic, cultural, linguistic and social experiences and learnings in the context of a prominently indigenous country with a predominantly White study abroad group. The research questions include: (a) What are the experiences of U.S. Chicana/Latina students studying abroad in a Latin American country? (b) How do they navigate their academic, cultural, linguistic and social experiences in the context of a predominantly White participant group? (c) What can educators learn from these experiences in informing critical pedagogical practices and study abroad program experiences?

Author

• Aurora Chang, Loyola University Chicago