We're proud that our students are as diverse as the countries where they study abroad and intern.

From our Initiative to Diversify Education Abroad (IDEA) to our Diversity Scholarships & Financial Aid, we're making study abroad accessible to more students.

With 70 years of experience, we're here to help you find the best program for you, and to make studying abroad the educational adventure of a lifetime. Simply put, we provide you with the best diversity abroad resources in the field. Whether that's through our online country-specific diversity resources, articles on topics like Black hair care or nonbinary air travel, multimedia materials, or our personal one-on-on advising, we're here to support and encourage you throughout the study abroad experience. If you have any questions about your identity abroad, please contact our Diversity Department by emailing us at diversity@IESabroad.org or by calling 800.995.2300.

How will studying abroad redefine your world? We can't wait to find out.

Resources

A group of students posing for a photo in front of British Parliament and the River Thames

Country-Specific Identity Resources

Browse resources specific to identity in a particular country on topics such as dietary concerns; race, ethnicity, and national identity; gender and sexuality; religion and spirituality; disability and mental health; and more!

Two friends posing on a street lined with plants in Rabat's Old Medina

Diversity Videos & Webinars

Learn more about key aspects of the study abroad experience by participating in webinars before you go. We frequently partner with other companies and institutions to host webinars on diversity- and inclusion-related topics.

Group of students in Meknes, Morocco.

IDEA Correspondents

You're bringing more than just your luggage with you while studying abroad. The aspects of your identity—all that makes you who you are—come along too! That's why our IDEA (Initiative to Diversity Education Abroad) Correspondents are here to share how their identities intersect, unfold, and evolve with their lives abroad.

a group of students pose for a photo while on a hike through New Zealand's coast

Intercultural Competency Media List

These recommendations encourage connection and conversations to promote better understanding of our individual stories and tribulations, focused on uplifting the collective human experience we highlight with study abroad.

students eating German food at a festival in Dresden

Social Identity Resources

We support all of our students and have compiled resources to guide you in your next steps towards this incredible experience. Find more information on our resources for various identities, including LGBTQ+, First-Generation, Disability, Mental Health & Self-Care, and more.

a group of students sitting in giant clogs in Zaanse Schans

Diversity Scholarships

We are committed to fostering and supporting a diverse student body. Our Diversity Scholarships are part of our millions of dollars in scholarships and aid, and encourage and support students from a range of institutions and under-represented populations.

a group of students pose for a photo in front of mountains in Cape Town

DACA Resources

Our dedicated team is available to answer any questions that you have about our programs. Global learning is transformative and we believe every student, regardless of status, should have the opportunity to have an international educational experience.

diverse students pose for a photo in Madrid

Share a Resource

We know that there's a lot of helpful information out there, and although we try, we can't always capture it all! If you've found something to be helpful for you or your students in preparation for study abroad, let us know and we'll see if we can add it to our resources.

a student with their parents in Monterrat, Spain

Family Resources

We know that families are an essential part of the journey when deciding to study or intern abroad. That's why we have a variety of resources for families including guides in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

Let's Talk

Reach out to the Diversity team at diversity@iesabroad.org if you have any questions about identity-based events, how identity can affect study abroad or internship experiences, opportunities, or more.

Send Us an Email

Initiative to Diversify Education Abroad (IDEA)

We launched our Initiative to Diversify Education Abroad to make studying abroad a learning experience accessible to all students, creating a student body that reflects the diversity of both the U.S. and our college student population. Though we know every student is unique and distinct in your own way, we define a diverse student as someone who identifies as a racial/ethnic minority, first-generation college student, student with financial need, LGBTQIA+, and/or is a student who has demonstrated a history of overcoming adversity such as a physical, mental health, or learning disability.

Through this Initiative, we have developed and expanded our financial and informational resources, collaborated with new partners who join us in our dedication to diversifying education abroad, and increased the enrollment of diverse and underrepresented students in our study and intern abroad programs.

We have also built a legacy of partnership with Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs) spanning more than 50 years, which includes generations of graduates of these schools among our 120,000+ IES Abroad alumni.

Read IDEA Correspondent Blogs

Macks Koontz headshot
“I am extremely glad I went through IES Abroad because they have been so respectful of my identity.”
Macks K. • University of Tennessee – Knoxville • Nagoya Summer – Language & Culture

We’re Celebrating 17,000+ Diverse Student Voices

Join us in celebrating a #worldofdifference as we share study abroad stories of underrepresented students.

Read Their Stories
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