Diversity & Identity Abroad

Diversity & Identity Abroad

The Education Abroad Office is committed to celebrating and supporting the many identities of our students with access to high-impact education abroad opportunities that enrich and expand their undergraduate education. It is vital to our mission to increase access to students who have been historically excluded and are underrepresented in study abroad, and support students from diverse backgrounds and identities.  The resources on this page encourage you to reflect on some of the different aspects that make up our identities, learn about host country norms that may impact your experience, and access tools to engage critically with your own identity development.

These resources aim to help you with identity-related considerations and aim to prepare for your study abroad program. Education Abroad recognizes that these resources do not exemplify every identity. If you have questions or would like further information related to an aspect of your identity that is not included below, please reach out to Education Abroad at abroad@colorado.edu 

Navigating Identity Abroad Pre Departure Orientation

This optional pre-departure orientation highlights Education Abroad's Diversity & Identity Abroad resources. We discussed cultural differences, adapting to new environments, and featured a student panel. Watch the Spring 2025 recording here. 

Identity Resource Pages

 

Intersectionality 

Identities regularly intersect, overlap, and impact how you are treated by others. Thinking about these intersections can be helpful as students often go abroad with multiple identities, personal stories, and histories.

What Is Intersectionality Abroad? Per IES's Navigating Identity & Diversity Abroad page, "the Oxford Dictionary defines the concept of intersectionality as 'The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.'"

Consider all of the different aspects of your identity and imagine them as streets—simply put, intersectionality is the place where all of your identities meet. What are your identities? Take into account nationality, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

To learn more, watch Kimberlé Crenshaw's TED Talk, The Urgency of Intersectionality. 

Privilege & Allyship

Allyship and privilege are connected at home and abroad. Recognizing your privilege empowers you to be an ally by advocating for greater justice, tolerance, and inclusion for peers who may feel marginalized in particular situations.

Educate yourself by reading up on these issues:

• Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G. Johnson
• Beyond Guilt Trips by Anu Taranath
• Traveling While Brown: Journeys in Privilege, Guilt, and Connection

 

 

Education Abroad is committed to serving a culturally diverse community of students and is dedicated to providing inclusive international experiences for students from all backgrounds. Please contact us at abroad@colorado.edu with any questions or concerns.