A woman stands at the bow of a rowboat; she is holding a fishing net with a large bird perched on top, and more birds in the boat

Heritage Students Abroad

 

 

Banner photo credit: Kelsie Lawton, "Cormorant Fishing"
(UCalgary International Photo Contest)

Are you interested in studying abroad in a country where you have heritage ties? Whether it’s going back to the country where you were born, or exploring your ancestry several generations back, it’s a popular motivation for students! Depending on the country and how recent your connection is, local perceptions of belonging differ. Sometimes those perceptions also have status implications such as being considered a citizen under local law.

Please find helpful questions, resources, and links below to better assist your research into global learning opportunities. If you have any questions or would like additional assistance or guidance, please do not hesitate to contact one of our advisors at study.abroad@ucalgary.ca

Being "Local"

When might you be perceived as a local and what positive or negative expectations might arise?

Your physical appearance encompasses many features, such as: 

  • Racial or ethnic background 
  • Your choice of clothing, hairstyle, and ornamentation (make-up, piercings, etc.)
  • Body language, gestures, your default sitting/standing positions
  • How you carry yourself in public or private spaces

When others look at you, what will they see? How will they draw assumptions about you, based on their own cultural context and expectations? 

Language and accent can be another major factor. Whether others hear you speak or not, they may make assumptions about your language abilities. 

You might be assumed to speak the local language. If you don't, or don't speak it as well as they expect, you might be reacted to with confusion or surprise. 

Conversely, you might be overheard speaking English, and assumed not to speak the local language - resulting in just as much surprise if in fact you do!

Ethnic background does not always equal cultural background.

  • In Scotland, being Scottish in often conceptualized as being born in Scotland and having two Scottish parents and the diaspora sense of being Scottish via ancestry often seen in North America is at times dismissed.
  • On the other hand, when Japan invited members of the Japanese diaspora to return to Japan to work, there were major cultural misunderstandings caused by the perception within Japan that ethnicity and nationality/culture were the same thing. When Brazilians of Japanese ancestry accepted the invitation, it surprised many Japanese people that they were culturally Brazilian.

An English menu is never brought out to me. When I am out with my friends, Japanese people often speak to me first, even though my white friend may actually be much better at speaking than I am. And I have never had seats remain conspicuously open next to me on crowded trains. Although one may expect that this ability to blend into Japanese society is a sign that I fit in, if anything it has made me feel more American than I ever have before.

Timothy Valero

Asian American student who studied abroad in Japan

Read more on Timothy's blog: Asian in America, American in Asia

Dual citizenship considerations

If you have dual citizenship, you must return to Canada on your Canadian passport. This is required even if you plan to enter your host country on a different passport, meaning that you will have to bring your Canadian passport with you and keep it secure for your return. More information about the passport requirement is available at the Government of Canada website here.

Also, be aware that returning to a country where you have citizenship (your "home country" from an immigration perspective) has some logistic considerations: 

  • Canadian consular services may not be able to provide much support if a problem arises.
  • You may not be able to get travel insurance (as your "home country" may automatically include you within their healthcare system).
  • If you do get travel insurance, your insurance may have coverage limitations.

You may wish to review the Government of Canada Dual Citizenship website for broader information and considerations before you travel.

There can be advantages to travelling to your host country on your non-Canadian passport. For example, if you hold citizenship of the country you plan to study abroad in and enter the country using that passport, it's very likely that you will not require a student visa or at least have fewer immigration requirements compared to other students. 

However, if you hold a passport of the country you plan to travel to - or if you're a citizen without a passport, or are eligible for citizenship (e.g. if you have a parent who's a citizen) - it's important that you check citizen requirements in advance. 

  • Use the UCalgary Study Abroad program finder to view the page of the program you wish to participate in, and check the Eligibility section of the page. This is particularly important for exchange programs: some countries and universities do not allow students to come on exchange back to their country of citizenship.
  • Check the Canadian Government travel advisory for your country for more information on dual citizenship requirements. Note that some countries base citizenship on ancestry or your parents’ citizenship status, rather than your own birthplace.
  • Research online if there are tax laws or mandatory military service requirements that would apply to you if you entered that country. There is some helpful information on the Government of Canada Dual Citizenship website.

Immigration laws vary around the world - you may not even be aware that you have citizenship in another country! Some countries may view you as a citizen simply for having a parent who was born there, and may not recognize your Canadian citizenship when you travel. Research your heritage country to check their laws.

When applying to study abroad, please indicate your citizenship(s) in the application form, and/or contact your global learning advisor (study.abroad@ucalgary.ca) to let them know. This helps your advisor check your eligibility for your desired program and advise you on things such as visa requirements.

A woman with long dark hair, a denim jacket, and a yellow skirt stands on a street corner looking back over her shoulder at the camera. The street appears to be cobblestone with hedges, red umbrellas with outdoor seating, and a bright yellow church in the distance.

As I studied abroad in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, I had the opportunity to explore, understand, and experience the complexities of my identities [...] I strongly believe that bringing us together despite all of our differences can help us heal as family and individuals spread across countries. I wouldn’t change who I am or what I experienced in those places.

Elisabet Raquel García

Latina student who studied abroad in Latin America

Read more on Elisabet's blog: How Study Abroad Helped Me Embrace the Complexities of All My Identities

Resources for further research

Advice from other students: 

General advice: