Diversity Abroad
Empowering Every Student to Experience the World Through Inclusive Study Abroad Programs
Expanding Diversity Abroad for Over 75 Years
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ was founded in 1947 to advance peace in our world through promoting international exchange programs with a special commitment to ensuring that all students from all backgrounds have an opportunity to study abroad.
How Do We Open Doors for Diverse Students?
- °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ helps diverse students overcome the barriers to study abroad (cost, curriculum and culture)
- °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ helps diverse students prepare for study abroad (living and learning in a new culture)
- °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ helps diverse students tell their stories of studying abroad to peers to encourage other diverse students to study abroad
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Helps Overcome the Barriers of Cost
Costs: Studying abroad is financially challenging. °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ offers the most diversity study abroad scholarships, including:
- The Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship – Students gain real-world work experience and develop leadership skills on a fully-funded global internship experience
- Gilman Go Global Grant and Pell Grants – Pell-eligible students who apply for Gilman grants receive up to $3,500 in support
- HBCU and MSI Grants - Students who attend Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) can receive up to $2,000 in financial aid
Every student should contact their study abroad advisor or °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ directly to learn more about funding study abroad.
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Helps Overcome the Barriers of Curriculum and Culture
Curriculum: To study abroad, you need to be able to take the courses you need to stay on track for graduation. °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ offers over 260 global programs that align with every student’s academic needs, academic calendar, and course requirements. We offer programs in 42 locations, including semester, summer, J-term, and block programs thatserve all majors, including STEM, business, health sciences, environmental and sustainability, language, engineering, and international relations, to name a few. Learn more of how °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ can meet your curriculum needs.
Culture: Often, diverse students don’t have friends or mentors to encourage them to study abroad, or they may feel study abroad is not for them. °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ has the most diverse student population and the most diverse staff, all of whom are formally trained on the skills needed to deliver a welcoming, positive international experience for all students. In fact, our students regularly rate our ability to deliver a positive, inclusive experience as excellent! Learn more about °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ’s commitment to overcome the culture barrier.
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Helps Diverse Students Prepare for Study Abroad
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ has been the leader in supporting diverse students abroad for over 75 years. We wrote the original training pamphlets for diversity abroad and the LGBTQ+ communities and we offer city-by-city guides for students to learn about diversity and inclusion in every °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ study abroad location. Find out more about °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Helps Diverse Students Tell Their Story to Encourage Others to Study Abroad
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ knows that the most important way to increase diversity abroad is to have our diverse student alums tell their stories in their own voices. That’s why we help students and student ambassadors share their life-changing experiences with others. Find out more about °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ’s student ambassadors and our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Local °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ staff have provided valuable details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in their study abroad city.
FAQs °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Diversity Abroad
Global diversity refers to the cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic, and socioeconomic differences among people around the world. These differences arise from varying individual experiences, locations, and historical contexts.
In the study abroad space, global diversity is a concept that we embrace, as it emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and understanding to foster cross-cultural understanding.
Studying abroad helps you culturally by:
- Challenging you to look beyond your own perspective
- Encouraging you to adapt to unfamiliar traditions and values
- Broadening your empathy toward other people, places, and cultures
- Re-shaping your worldview, making you more globally-minded
Read more: How Does Studying Abroad Help You Culturally? Tips to Prepare!
Yes! °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ has several diversity scholarships, including:
- The Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship
- Gilman Go Global Grant & Pell Grants
- Minority Serving Institution Grant
Read more: Top 3 °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Diversity Abroad Scholarships and Grants
Yes, you can connect with other students from similar backgrounds before going abroad by visiting our Ask An Ambassador page. Simply search by program city, find an ambassador from your school or background, and send them an email!
Similarly, you can download the °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ mobile app and chat with °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ ambassadors directly. Finally, be sure to follow °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Study Abroad on and to see what our students are doing abroad right now and make connections through social media.
°®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ is committed to promoting equity in international education through scholarships, personalized support, and inclusive programming. Our initiatives aim to make study abroad accessible to all students, including underrepresented groups, first-generation students, LGBTQIA+ students, and those with disabilities.
Additionally, °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ provides student support through pre-departure and on-site orientation, on-site support staff, and additional resources to help students navigate cultural differences.
Diversity Abroad Blog Posts
Top 3 °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Diversity Abroad Scholarships and Grants
Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience, but for many underrepresented students, financial barriers can stand in the way of this incredible opportunity. °®ÓÎÏ·ÏÂÔØ Study Abroad is dedicated to breaking... keep reading
5 Tips for Students Studying Abroad from Underrepresented Backgrounds
Navigating new cultures, understanding social dynamics, and building a sense of belonging in a foreign country can be complex, but for students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, studying abroad can... keep reading
How Does Studying Abroad Help You Culturally? Tips to Prepare!
Studying abroad isn’t just about ticking travel boxes and getting your passport stamped; it’s about seeing how other people live, think, and connect. It’s the ultimate crash course in cultural... keep reading