I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Devin Walker, Director of Global Leadership and Social Impact at the University of Texas at Austin. Devin is also the CEO and founder of The World Walker Foundation, a 501(c) (3), which provides educational and financial resources to help students of the African diaspora participate in service-learning trips to the African diaspora.

Early travel experiences facilitated by his parents spurred his interest in people and places. He says with each trip his confidence grew as a result of the exposure he gained a new outlook on the world. During this episode, Dr. Walker takes us on a journey not only through his multiple study abroad experiences, but through his self-reflective process as well. You’re in for a treat!

We also discuss Dr. Walker’s research on Black male division 1 student athletes. A personal experience led to his dissertation that examined the intersection of race, sports, and education among this unique group of students. He says their study abroad experiences offered an opportunity for students to examine their identities from a lens that is separate from their athletic affiliations in their home country.

Lastly, he shares some tips for creating inclusive study abroad programs!

Relationships are important!
Telling students why they need to study abroad and then get to the how!
When creating programs, think outside of the box when promoting study abroad especially as it relates to students with limited or no experience with travel.
Be flexible and open to responding to students’ needs.

Stay in touch with Dr. Walker:

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Check out his recent article for Diverse Issues: Black Students Must Experience Black Life Outside the U.S.

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