Social Identity Resources
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While your social identity will likely shape your study abroad experience, your study abroad experience will shape you, too!
And we'd like to help with those first few steps, those confusing moments abroad, and maybe even how you process 'what just happened?' when you get home. Fostering and supporting students from diverse backgrounds has always been part of what we do.
So whether you have a food allergy, anxiety, or a tight budget, or are the first family member to go to college (and abroad), LGBTQ+-identifying, an international student, or looking to practice your religion abroad (or maybe all of the above!), we've got you covered. We are proud to share a series of both IES Abroad and external resources compiled to make the predeparture and on-site process easier―check them out below and in our digital and print Your Passport to Social Identity Abroad!
Dietary Concerns
From picky eaters to try-everything-once-ers, students who study or intern abroad are pretty obsessed with food, and so are we.
Here you'll find resources on traveling with food allergies, while gluten free, while vegan/vegetarian, or while adhering to religious guidelines (check out the dietary resources section on our Religion & Spirituality page, too).
Disability, Mental Health & Self-Care
Living abroad can be a challenging experience, especially when it comes to mental health and physical accessibility. But you're not on your own—not only compiled resources on mental and physical health and self-care, but we also have dedicated Student Affairs staff available for you to contact from prior to departure and once in your host country.
Finances & Budgeting
Studying abroad with financial concerns can seem like a barrier to or a challenge while studying abroad, so we have put get together resources on scholarships, buying airfare, and budgeting, before and while you're abroad, to help prepare you and support you along the way.
First-Generation
Being the first person in your family to go to college is an honor and we are already so proud of you for taking that first step. We realize that studying or interning abroad is not just a journey and a new experience for you, but for your family as well. We know that you might not have done any of this before, so check out our resources on being the first in your family to go abroad!
LGBTQ+
We take pride in simply getting to know you, and look forward to adventuring through this incredible world with you.
Studying abroad as part of the LGBTQ+ community can present unique opportunities and challenges in exploring a new culture, so we have compiled resources on sexual orientation, gender identity, and allyship to help before and after you've gone abroad.
Race, Ethnicity & Nationality
Studying and interning abroad is not just for a specific type of student, it is for anyone, no matter how they identify. We're excited that you've already taken the first step, but we know that as a student of color, or as a non-American student, you may have a few other concerns. What is it like being a Black student Abroad? An Asian student abroad? A Latinx student abroad? A non-American student on a majority-American student program? We've got you!
Religion & Spirituality
We welcome students from all faiths and religions and encourage you to explore and delve deep into the culture around you. Whether you wonder how people in your host city practice your faith or want to explore a brand new religion, IES Abroad is with you. As you pray, as you worship, as you meditate—in all the ways you choose to demonstrate your faith and your spirituality, we want to make sure that you have all of the resources you need.
In addition to these Social Identity resources, we recommend exploring our other resources linked below and, specifically for Black and Latinx students respectively, our Take Off and Tu Mundo initiatives.
Learn more about IES Abroad's Diversity Commitment or for questions or advising, connect with our Diversity team.
IES Abroad does not have a partnership or formally endorse any external resources listed within this section.
