READY TO TAKE OFF?

Take Off with IES Abroad is a study and internship abroad initiative created with

YOU—a student attending an HBCU—in mind.

We want to show you how studying and interning abroad is possible, and provide you

with the tools and information you need to make it happen, such as:

What are you waiting for? Something unexpected is just around the world—take off

with IES Abroad and explore it! Be among those who change this for the better and

inspire others to explore beyond our borders.

• Get tips on traveling abroad, like how to navigate buying the most budget-

friendly airfares

• Find out how to safely travel abroad no matter your gender or gender expression

• Hair care advice while abroad

• So much more

According to the latest statistics, only 17,551 of 313,415 study abroad students identified as Black/African-American. (That’s only 5.6%!)

The top three IES Abroad locations where Black/

African-American students study abroad:

The top three IES Abroad locations where Black/

African-American students intern abroad:

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICARABAT, MOROCCO

TOKYO, JAPAN

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

DID YOU KNOW?

LONDON, ENGLAND

BARCELONA, SPAIN

HOW TO BUY AIRFARE

• Check to see if it’s cheaper to buy two one-way tickets instead of a

round-trip ticket

• If you know where you want to go, consider setting an airfare alert

• If you plan on having a layover, please stick with the same airline carrier

• When booking a flight for the day you are supposed to arrive, make

sure you take domestic and/or international dateline time changes and

layovers into account

ADVICE FOR TRANS OR NON-BINARY TRAVELERS

• Make sure to research legislation in regards to the LGBTQ+

community in your study abroad location.

• When creating an airline reservation, it is strongly encouraged

that you use the same name, gender, and date of birth that is

on your government issued ID.

• Make sure that medications are in their original packages and that they are

marked clearly as being prescribed to you. You should also have a note from

your doctor stating their necessity.

• You have the right to wear whatever you wish. However, please keep in mind

that certain articles of clothing may require additional security.

HAIR CARE TIPS

Ladies, we realize that while preparing to travel abroad for weeks or months

at a time, you may be in a bit of a conundrum over what to do with your hair.

Never fear! We’ve been able to compile some tips for you regarding:

• What to pack (stockpile those products!)

• Finding hair stylists and products before you even leave the States

(research websites that ship your favorite products internationally)

• Searching for stylists/products once abroad (find your local African

immigrant community)

• Tips on the best travel hair styles (protective styles are our favorites!)

Men, we didn’t forget about you! Guys have hair care needs and concerns while

traveling, too. Here are some quick tips:

• If you have the time and inclination, learn how to style/cut your hair yourself,

and bring your tools with you

• Search out local American military bases before you go to find out if

barbers/braiders are available

MORE ADVICE, JUST FOR YOU AT

www.IESabroad.org/take-off

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding:

• Our Take Off with IES Abroad events

• How your identity will affect your study abroad experience

• Anything else related to studying or interning abroad

diversity@IESabroad.org 800.995.2300 www.IESabroad.org

CONTACT US

ABOUT IES ABROAD

We believe all students should have the opportunity to participate in an

international education program, and are proud that our students are as

diverse as the places where they study and intern abroad. From our

headquarters in Chicago to our 140 study abroad programs in more than 30

global locations worldwide, we create authentic global education and life-

affirming cultural experiences. We can change your world, as we have for more

than 120,000 IES Abroad alums since 1950.

Through our Initiative to Diversify Education Abroad (IDEA), we’ve been

working with sustained intentionality for a decade to make study abroad more

accessible to more students than ever. Our efforts on your behalf have led

to more than 95 percent growth in participation of students of diverse and

underrepresented identities in our programs abroad since 2008. We are excited

you want to take off with IES Abroad, and look forward to helping you chart

your course!