To enter a historically black college, you do not have to be black
These educational institutions consider their work an important part of historical heritage and attract a growing number of international students with their commitment to the principles of social justice.
Most HBCU colleges were founded in the former slave states of the American South, some before the US Civil War, others after. Their goal was to improve access to education for black citizens.
Such educational institutions as Lincoln University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and a number of others became intellectual centers of African Americans in the US and alma maters for generations of black doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, clergy, and representatives of other professions. Students actively participated in sit-ins, marches, and demonstrations, protesting racial inequality and contributing to the spread of the civil rights movement across the country.
In recent years, the student body of many HBCUs has become more diverse, including representatives of various races and nationalities, and some universities and colleges now also recruit international applicants. The educational programs of Spelman College in Atlanta and Howard University in Washington are designed for them as well.
Many such institutions highly value the international aspects of the learning process. American students consider their presence an advantage. They understand that a 'global' education gives them the opportunity to prepare for a career that may also include working abroad, in cultural conditions different from those in their country.
The most active HBCUs are working on implementing support programs for international students. Here is one example. At Norfolk State University (Virginia), the Faculty of Medical Personnel has developed a program that provides assistance to international students in solving language, social, and academic problems. The result of its implementation has been both greater satisfaction with studies and increased efficiency.
Other historical colleges are developing similar programs in hopes of attracting ambitious students like Diego Buitrago-Gutierrez from Colombia. Howard University student Buitrago-Gutierrez is a master's degree candidate in civil engineering. 'When I learned about Howard University, I realized how important a place this university occupies in US history,' he recalls. Diego decided to apply for admission; now a university diploma opens up the most promising prospects for him.
'I am going to start my own company in Latin America,' says Diego. 'I have an idea on how to protect infrastructure from earthquakes, especially in countries located in seismically hazardous zones, such as Colombia, Peru, and Chile. I want to apply the knowledge and experience gained at Howard University in practice and share them with my compatriots.'