If you have been following my blog,  you know that I have been studying in central London for the past two months at the University College London. I have been fortunate enough to not only explore London but I have also had the opportunity to explore a few European countries. I think I have quite a unique perspective when it comes to traveling in and around Europe. I and my colleagues tend to stand out for a bit more than our American accents. Being black and abroad puts somewhat of a target on my back. Not a negative target per say but definitely something that draws the attention of people. It ranges from looks to states of confusion and sometimes even name-calling. I believe some of it comes from a true place of curiosity and maybe even admiration but other times it feels as if it comes from a place of  almost hostility. 

My first trip outside of London was with five of my friends to Barcelona, Spain. The city in my opinion was not as diverse as I had hoped. Granted maybe the vast diversity of London spoiled me and gave me a false expectation for the rest of Europe. It seemed many times that we were the only black people in the city. Now we did see a handful of black people a day but it was just not what I expected. In Barcelona, people seemed to fetisize us for  being “Black Americans”. People would compliment our skin tone and hair. My friends and I are a variety of black and brown shades and we all wear our natural hair so, yes we stand out in a European crowd. The fascination with black skin and natural hair was strange but it didn’t feel ingenuine. 

However my recent trip to Budapest was very different. This time I am not exaggerating when I say we were the only black people in the city. We did not see a single black person the entire time we were in Budapest. We visited two thermal baths, the museum of sweets and selfies and various food places. It was saddening and eye opening at the same time. It is amazing that some countries truly offer no diversity when it comes to black people. I am not and cannot say there are no black people in Budapest but it seemed that way. The fascination with our hair and skin continued but it wasn’t as friendly as it was in Barcelona. Our last night, a group of men kept yelling “black” at us. If they were mocking us or trying to get ur attention was unclear but it didn’t feel as if they had good intentions. This was my first time outside of London that I truly felt uncomfortable. 

Overall, as it stands so far Europe does not offer the diversity I hoped for. I think a better choice of words would be that the diversity is not very evident. I believe there are communities of black people in all of these countries but the question is if they do exist why are they hidden? I hope I have more opportunities to travel and interact with people who look like me outside of London. Being a black woman abroad is challenging and sometimes uncomfortable but it shouldn’t prevent anyone from seeing the world. I grew up in a community when I was the only “black girl” in a room full of non-people of color. I can’t say I didn’t hope things would be different overseas but I am grateful I had the opportunity to see the reality firsthand. I plan to continue my travel and quest for communities of color in Europe.

I have attached a few pictures of my friends and I from the places we have visited abroad so far.