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 inclusionabroad@colorado.edu.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
- Being Mixed Race but Having White Privilege
- Traveling While Brown: Journeys in Privilege, Guilt, and Connection
If you are interested in additional country or regionally-specific information, explore the Diversity Abroad's Country Guides and CIEE City-Specific Resources for diversity & inclusion climate notes on many of the countries where we have programs.
Hear from Students!
- Check out the ISA Journal's Diversity Abroad blogs
- Explore CIEE's Blogs on Diversity & Access
- Read IES's Student Blogs on Diversity/Identity
Parent/Family Questions
Do your parents/ families have concerns about you studying abroad? Parents and families as welcome to contact our office to speak to a Program Manager! Program managers can provide further information, discuss concerns, and help navigate the process with you.
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 our Access and Inclusion Coordinator at inclusionabroad@colorado.edu with any questions or concerns.
Last updated: August 2024