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Being Black Abroad - Studying abroad is a rewarding experience for many students. But during the 2011-2012 school year, only 5 percent of students who studied abroad were African-American undergrads. Is the overseas experience different for Blacks? BET.com spoke to a few students who have gone across the pond to find out what it's like to be a Black student overseas. (Photo: Tim Hale Photography/Corbis)

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Fuschia Ray: New York Universty, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2014 - The Good: "At moments I was flattered by Argentina’s appreciation for my dark skin. There were days when I wished for the U.S. to be as willing to see the beauty in my skin as the Argentines. It was refreshing to be celebrated rather than ignored or disrespected."The Bad: "But then I realized that the disrespect hadn’t disappeared; it had just changed its face. This so often made me feel as though they saw me as a freak in front of a crowd of white faces. [...] In one experience I had with a group of Argentine girls, I was bombarded with the lyrics to Shakira’s 'Waka Waka –This Time for Africa,' while they laughed at my irritation and panic."  (Photo: Courtesy of Fuschia Ray)

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Noelle Gipson: Indiana University Bloomington Sydney, Australia 2014 - The Good: “Being able to see different parts of the world has shaped me into a better global citizen and has motivated me to do and be more in my career. That's why I plan to incorporate a give back unitive in whatever field I go in to work.“The Bad: “On the surface Australia seems like a diverse and open country. But as I explore more I see more and more individuals staring, not as far as following me in a store but a close eye." (Photo: Courtesy of Noelle Gipson)

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David Thomas: Howard University, London 2009, China and Japan 2012, and Ghana 2014. - The Good: "Count your blessings, not your problems. [...] I have learned to be thankful for what I have, because there are people around the world who literally kill eachother to have just a portion of what I have."The Bad: "[In Ghana] the most disturbing thing that I overheard was how the African people did not consider me as "Black." I was constantly referred to as "the white man" or a "sellout." How could I be referred to as their "American brother" when they begged me for money, yet be considered less than Black because I grew up in the United States?" (Photo: Courtesy of David Thomas)

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Meshijah Triplett: University of West Georgia, London and Paris 2014 - The Good:  “I had the opportunity to travel to England and France. I noticed that there were so many people of different cultures and backgrounds that lived in London. Ironically enough, I believe I saw more interracial couples in Europe than I did back home in America.”The Bad: “However, during our trip from Paris to London, we had to pass through border control where we were interrogated and continuously questioned as to why we were headed back to England. Now I’m not sure if this was standard protocol — to be rude and overbearing — or if it was indeed the color of my skin, but it left me feeling very uncomfortable and missing America, where I knew I was welcomed.” (Photo: Courtesy of Meshijah Triplett)

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Blacks Welcomed! - Despite the evident diversity issues, institutions and high-profile individuals, including Michelle Obama, have been encouraging a variety of students to study abroad. The Chinese government even offered 1,000 scholarships for Black students to study abroad.(Photo: Granger Wootz/Blend Images/Corbis)

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How to Find a Study-Abroad Program - Some schools have study-abroad programs and campuses in other countries, and you can contact your global services leader to find out how to apply. If your school doesn't have a program, it's often possible to study abroad through a school that does. If both of those options pose a problem, there are outside resources designed to help students partner up with the best study-abroad sites for their academic and personal needs. (Photo: Ivy Close Images /Landov)

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Tips for Studying Abroad - The best advice on what to expect from studying abroad might just come from those that have already taken the plunge. People who have gone abroad can tell you what to expect and some tips to avoid any mistakes they may have made. There are also blogs dedicated to students sharing their study-abroad experiences that can be found through a quick Google search. (Photo: Andreas Stamm/fstop/Corbis)

Photo By Photo: Andreas Stamm/fstop/Corbis

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Remember Who You Are - When you go abroad you have to remember that you may be faced with preconceived notions and stereotypes held against you before you even say your name. Americans don't have the best reputation abroad, and being Black can also add another layer of prejudice, so just be prepared for anything you may encounter. (Photo: 145/William Andrew/Ocean/Corbis)

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Practice the Language - You probably won't become a fluent speaker of any non-native tongue in a couple months of preparation. But knowing some important phrases, like "Where can I find the bathroom" or "Hello, my name is," can be pretty useful before you get a better grasp of the language. (Photo: Ian McKinnell/Getty Images)

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Communication Is Key! - It's probably a good idea to figure out how you'll be keeping in contact with your family and friends before the flight takes off. Some phone companies might be able to unlock your phone for international use, but if that's not an option, there are apps designed for international conversations that need little more than a phone and a Wi-Fi connection. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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Travel - One of the best parts about studying abroad in a new country can be visiting other countries — which becomes so much easier outside of North America. In the European Union, you can find flights as low as 15 euro ($20) on some low-budget air lines. Just remember: some cheap airlines might fly to destinations on the outskirts of where you'd ideally like to be, so plan ahead. (Photo: Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

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Keep Your Important Items Stored Safely - When you study abroad, you may have a few extra items with you that you normally don't carry — which can be an easy target for pick-pockets. When you leave your residence for a night out, it's best to leave your passport at home and only carry the lowest form of identification necessary. Also, don't carry all of your money at one time. (Photo: Photodisc/Getty Images)

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Step Out of Your Comfort Zone - You can go to an American-style club, store or restaurant when you're back in the United States, so why visit them while you're in France? Studying abroad is the best time to practice stepping out of your comfort zone and going to the spots where the locals hang out and make some new international friends. But remember, you can't trust everyone, so always have a buddy with you just in case you find yourself in any trouble. (Photo: Matt Dutile/Corbis)

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Know the Culture You're Getting Into - What may be OK to do in Alabama may not be OK in Amsterdam. Rules for alcohol consumption, manners, style of dress and gender roles can be dependent upon the region you're in. To avoid any trouble, know the cultural dos and don'ts of any country you want to visit before you get there. (Photo: Mika/Corbis)

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Always Have a Map - Some countries might be nicer than others when it comes to interacting with tourists and giving directions. You can't always rely on a "Hello, where is..." especially in a country where you don't know the language. Having a map will give you a bit of self-sufficiency and freedom to get lost and find adventure. (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)