Heritage seekers or heritage learners are sometimes described as students who are drawn to study abroad in a particular country and culture “not because it is unfamiliar and new, but rather because it is somewhat familiar” (IIE). For many students, studying abroad in a country of ancestry or cultural heritage is an opportunity to connect with family, ancestry, and culture.  
 

Studying abroad as a heritage seeker can be a complex journey that brings expected, as well as unexpected, experiences and emotions. It can be incredibly fulfilling to find community and cultural connection in a country of ancestry or heritage.  Some students expect or seek a feeling of home during heritage seeking trips. As an American citizen, sometimes that sense of welcoming is not always given. The experience itself will likely be a spectrum of highs and lows, so we'd like to share some resources.