KEI welcomes students from diverse backgrounds which reflect the ethnic and cultural complexity of our increasingly global world. We realize that person-to-person contact and "soft diplomacy" is the key toward improving understanding between groups of people. Bringing together students of different ethnic groups, religions, sexual orientations, political viewpoints and physical abilities can help facilitate the exchange of ideas and the breaking down of negative stereotypes.

You will meet a fascinating variety of people abroad, some are accepting of differences and others are not. Depending on your destination, you may encounter discrimination or you may be amazed at the capacity for tolerance of your host culture.

We encourage you to learn as much as possible about:

1. Legal rights and laws pertaining to your host country
2. Boundaries of local acceptance
3. Social perceptions of GLBTQ, people of color, people with disabilities, etc.
4. Gender roles assigned to individuals
5. Any support groups available in your host city/country
6. Contact information for the local US consulate
7. Prior experiences of students in your host country

KEI does not discriminate based on gender, religion, ethnic background, sexual identity or orientation, political viewpoints, physical disability, age or veteran status. To promote more diversity abroad, we formed strong partnerships with Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and other HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). In addition, KEI fully supports the University of Pittsburgh's upcoming documentary on GLBTQ and Ethnic Minorities in study abroad.

Please refer to the Diversity Abroad Guide for information about diversity in your host country. The guide should be used as a starting point for further research, not as the only source of information. This website also provides links to resources on ethnic, religions, sexual, political and physical disability issues abroad.