IES Abroad's Response to U.S. Supreme Court Decision Impacting Race-Conscious Admissions

It's disheartening to learn of the recent U.S. Supreme Court Ruling impacting race-conscious admissions that was announced on Thursday, June 29th.

Not only does it have the potential to reverse decades of progress in increasing access to opportunities that college education provides, but it is also a loss for all because a diverse learning environment benefits everyone. Study abroad is rooted in learning and growing in an environment that is different than one’s own.

While it can be challenging to maintain optimism about the future in the face of these obstacles, it's imperative that we stay encouraged as we push for a better, more inclusive world. This is our why.

IES Abroad will continue our unwavering support and commitment to creating an inclusive study abroad experience and provide access for underrepresented students. To us, these challenges only make our commitment to supporting underrepresented students in study abroad that much stronger; the need is that much greater.

Thank you to everyone who is part of this important work that allows us to further our mission and commitment to study abroad. We remain steadfast in our belief that study abroad changes lives, and changed lives change the world.

The Impact Study Abroad Has Had on Our Students

We’ve had a front-row seat to observing how study abroad changes people—no matter who they are. Study abroad humanizes us. It expands our potential by honing our language, intercultural, and other skills, and, deepening our capacity for humility, empathy and fairness. It forces us to reconsider how we think about history, politics, migration, commerce, technology, health care, education, and community. Hear from some of our students:

“I learned that, while places and people around the world share differences, we share more similarities than we think we do.”
Breana R. ( IES Abroad Cape Town)

“What really inspired me to study abroad was just to change. You know that when you go somewhere you don't know all the answers to, you're bound to change. ”
Kiubon K. (IES Abroad Nantes)

“It taught me to be more open to different people around the world. To be more brave. To be more curious and to be more open to new experiences.”
Yazmine B. (IES Abroad Rabat & IES Abroad Rome)

Learn more about our commitment to providing access to underrepresented students, as well as diversity resources, and scholarships and aid opportunities.