Increasing Diversity in Education Abroad

Increasing access to study abroad opportunities to all student populations on campus has been a goal for many education abroad offices nationwide. Efforts are paying off—in the last decade, the number of students from diverse ethnic backgrounds has risen steadily. 

Oftentimes, on campuses where there has been a concerted and sustained effort to increase the numbers of students from traditionally underrepresented groups, there has been a more dramatic rise in the numbers of students who choose to study abroad.

Longtime Efforts Improve Access to Study Abroad

At San Francisco State University (SF State), comprehensive efforts to increase diversity over a number of years have led to impressive results: underrepresented students make up 64 percent of the study abroad population, well above the national average of approximately 25 percent. And a preliminary study in 2015 by Noah Kuchins, assistant director for study abroad, found that 44 percent of their study abroad population self-identifies as first generation college students.

According to Marilyn Jackson, assistant director of the SF State Office of International Programs, “Our study abroad staff and student peer mentors give hundreds of presentations each year to thousands of students, on and off campus, all with the message that study abroad is affordable and accessible.” On SF State programs students pay regular SF State tuition, receive resident credit, and can access all financial aid. In addition, advisers integrate advice on financial planning throughout the application process and actively promote scholarship opportunities. They also approach their bilateral partnership searches with the goal