The Smith Center honors and supports the diverse identities that our students bring to campus and to their global experiences and abroad/away studies. We strongly encourage all Oles to study abroad/away at some point during their four years. Personal identity can impact students differently during an abroad/away study experience.
On this page we have identified some of the aspects that could be part of a student’s personal identity. We recognize that there are many more identities that students may hold that we have not included here. If you have questions or concerns related to any identity that you hold, please do not hesitate to contact us –we are here to help!
Attitudes toward various identities and underrepresented groups vary greatly among countries and cultures. Your identities in the United States or your home country will not always be how people view you while studying abroad/away. The attention you get for your personal identity will differ and may not always be positive. However, while you cannot control the attention you receive, you can make your own decisions on how you react to this attention.
During the planning and pre-departure phases, students should consider how their identities may be impacted while studying abroad/away. During any major life event, including study abroad/away, identities may shift, evolve, or become more/less salient – all students should consider how they may be impacted while studying abroad/away. Some students might not have traveled before to another country and may find themselves as a minority in a community for the first time; or their sexual orientation or gender identity may not be fully accepted in the host culture.
Know that there are resources to help you prepare before you leave, while you are abroad/away, and when you return. St. Olaf College is member of the Diversity Abroad Network, an organization dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusive practices for global education. The Diversity Abroad Network provides numerous online resources, such as their destination guides, to help prepare students going abroad. Students can also create a free account to explore their resources.
In addition to Diversity Abroad, the Smith Center has compiled lists of equity resources relevant to the locations of our programs:
Equity Resources by Country PARTNER Equity Resources
In addition to these on-line resources, there are several staff and faculty on campus who can meet with and assist you as you navigate identity abroad/away. If you do not know where to start in seeking support or starting this conversation, reach out to the Study Abroad/Away Advising Coordinator or other Smith Center staff. You can stop into TOH 380, make an appointment, email or call the Smith Center staff for initial advice. We look forward to supporting you throughout your experience.