2022 Passport Update: US passport applications now list three gender options (F/M/X). Find more information here.
Identity (gender, age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, 1st generation college student, religion, ability, etc.) can shape your interaction with others and how you perceive those experiences. When you study abroad, a new cultural context can also change how you perceive your own identity and how others interact with you.
USAC is committed to providing access to affordable, academically rigorous, and enriching cross-cultural learning abroad for all students to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed in today’s global society. We celebrate diversity and value its impact on the study abroad experience of our students. We strive to increase access, inclusion, equity, and support for underrepresented student populations.
As you begin preparing to go abroad, research what other cultures' perspectives may be as it relates to your identity. Consider things such as your race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, and your socio-economic status. Think about your experiences in your every day life related to your culture and your identities here in the U.S. Your identities and how you express them may influence your experiences abroad.
Find resources to prepare for studying abroad as a person of an underrepresented community.
Discover resources for traveling abroad with food and dietary restrictions.
Find resources about religious freedoms and learn about various religions abroad.