Experiencing Your Identity Abroad - Authentically Living and Learning in a New Place

Every student brings unique strengths to their education abroad experience based on who they are. Prepare them to recognize these contributions—and potential challenges related to their identities—with this new guide from NAFSA.

Topics in Experiencing Your Identity Abroad include:

• social identity, intersectionality, and privilege;
• cross-cultural awareness;
• considerations for packing;
• health and basic needs; and
• identity representation responsibilities.

The guide also features several reflection activities to prompt students to put information into practice—and to be set up for academic, personal, and professional growth and success during and after their program.

Additional titles in this series include: 

• Funding Your Education Abroad
• Health and Safety Abroad
• Incorporating Education Abroad into Your Career Plan
• Student Visas
• Taking Your Education Abroad
• What Families Need to Know

About the author: Amaris "Ami" Vargas Mohan (they/she; elle/ella) is a Puerto Rican, queer, student affairs professional working in international education. They have developed curriculum on diversity and global learning; served on various diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) committees and working groups in the international education field, including for NAFSA, the Forum on Education Abroad, and Diversity Abroad; and are a regular collaborator on various DEIA-focused high-impact practices. They currently serve on the NAFSA Education Abroad Knowledge Committee Diversity and Inclusion in Education Abroad Subcommittee. Vargas-Mohan has an MA in higher education administration from the George Washington University and is working toward a PhD in higher education with a concentration in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice at Texas A&M University, where they currently work. They are dedicated to student access and success and committed to supporting historically minoritized students and communities.