Europe remains the top destination for U.S. university students seeking a global academic experience with over 64% choosing European programs. Despite surface-level cultural similarities, U.S. students often face challenges navigating the deeper sociocultural dynamics and differing approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within European societies. This manuscript explores the "DEI disconnect" between U.S. students and European education-abroad programs, where U.S. students arrive with DEI attitudes shaped by U.S. philosophies, only to encounter local frameworks that may not align with their expectations. Through an examination of DEI in both U.S. and European contexts, alongside data from Diversity Abroad's student survey and case studies from professional practice, this paper provides a foundation for understanding these challenges. We offer actionable recommendations to integrate DEI considerations into the education-abroad lifecycle and encourage further exploration of DEI in global education.