HBCU Writers's Project
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2010
Contact Information

Megan Caldwell
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

(BPRW) Travel: The Cultural Experience

(BLACK PR WIRE/FAMU-TALLAHASSEE) – The black American community has always been comprised of different cultures, heritages, and experiences. But it’s becoming a growing trend among young black Americans to travel outside of the norm and experience other countries and cultures.

The young adults in the black American community are no longer choosing to spend their winter, spring and summer breaks in the stereotypical locations of Daytona Beach and Miami. They are choosing to take trips outside of the United States, to places like Spain, France, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

But is this an experience that other black Americans are missing out on? Dorian George, 23, an elementary school teacher in Jacksonville, Florida said, “Blacks lose track of how important seeing other cultures is; we think the world we live in and see day in and out is all there is.” George has ventured out to many European destinations, including Spain, London, France and Italy.

Are some missing out on learning about their own “cultures?” Brittany Bennett, 21, a senior sports management student at Florida State University from Jacksonville, Florida said, “Some lack the knowledge of their own roots, and to actually experience and see it first hand is more valuable then reading the ‘history’ in textbooks.”

Young adults also agree that traveling outside the country can be a boost in the job market. Shalonda Abrams, 21, a senior business administration and finance student at Florida A&M University from Orlando, Florida is studying abroad this semester in Madrid, Spain.

She said she chose to study abroad because it gives you the opportunity to learn a different culture, to see if you can adapt to the changes, and to learn more about the Spanish language. With a minor in the Spanish language, this opportunity gives Abrams a competitive edge over others in her field.

Some of the destinations listed by young black Americans include Paris, London, Italy, Trinidad, Jamaica, Mexico and Africa.