Studying abroad has long been seen as a dream for many American students—yet, for too many, it feels out of reach. High program costs, lack of information, and limited options often put global opportunities behind a wall. This barrier is especially high for underrepresented groups: minorities, STEM majors, and community college students , who face additional hurdles such as tight academic schedules and fewer financial resources. But change is happening. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs launched the U.S. Study Abroad Capacity Building Program to break down these barriers through small grants and institutional support. 📊 The Reality: Who Gets to Study Abroad? Only 10% of U.S. undergraduates study abroad. Of those, 72% go to Europe —limiting global diversity in experiences. STEM majors? Just 15% participate . For minorities, low-income, and community college students—participation rates fall to the single digits . This imbalan...