Identity Abroad

•  
• Diversity Abroad: The leading global education organization which targets students from underrepresented backgrounds for international education opportunities, creating a portal that provides information, tips, and benefits for students looking to study internationally.
• ALLABROAD.us: This site offers resources addressing funding opportunities, study abroad and career development, reasons to study abroad, and information on diversity and discrimination abroad.
• IES Abroad Student Diversity & Access Resources: Diversity resources specifically for IES programs, including past student perspectives, scholarship opportunities, a student guide, country-specific resources, and contact information for the IES Diversity Coordinator.
•  

You may not be considered an ethnic or religious majority in the United States, but by going abroad you may become a minority. In some cases, your outward appearance can also make you stand out, especially if the country’s population is very homogeneous. Sometimes the locals’ curiosity, interest, ignorance, or misunderstanding of you can be unpleasant. They may ask what you consider insensitive questions about your cultural heritage, physical features, or national origins. There may even be people who are eager to touch your hair or skin. (This is especially true with children.)

If you find yourself in such a situation, try to distinguish between a person who is genuinely curious about you and your culture and someone who has bad intentions. If a comment or action offends you, try to be tactful with your response, or if you are very upset, leave the situation. Always remember to put your safety first.

Studying abroad as part of the LGBTQ+ community is a great way to gain a new educational perspective and also expand awareness, understanding, and acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues in a global context. It can also present some unique challenges. If you are contemplating study abroad as an LGBTQ+ student, here are some things to consider:

If you have a documented learning, physical, or psychological disability, please contact the Office of Student Disability Services immediately after you receive your approval notification from the Center for International Programs. The Director of SJU’s Office of Student Disability Services will then follow established protocols, which include obtaining appropriate documentation from your provider and consulting with you, the CIP, and, if needed, with the program provider to discuss what types of reasonable accommodations might be available to you while participating in any University-sponsored travel abroad program. With advanced planning and plenty of vigilance, your trip abroad can be safe and enjoyable!

Resources for Students with a Documented Disability:

• The SJU Office of Student Disability Services
• Mobility International USA: A non-profit organization serving people with a broad range of disabilities; website includes travel tips, country accessibility information, student testimonials, funding information, and program suggestions.
• The U.S. Department of State’s comprehensive webpage for students with disabilities.
• Transitions Abroad: Disability Travel: A collection of first-hand articles, websites, and agencies by this award-winning, respected travel magazine.

For students who are among the first in their family to attend college, it can be a challenge to figure out the ins and outs of navigating the university systems. Since going to college is a big step in itself, the idea of studying abroad on top of that can be overwhelming. Maybe you are concerned about talking with your parents because they feel studying abroad is an unrealistic goal or because they will worry about the distance. Whatever the case may be, the best advice is to present them with all of the necessary information, which you can find by exploring our website and talking to a CIP advisor. The following resources and tips may also be of use to you:

If you have special eating habits, are committed to a particular way of eating (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, kosher, macrobiotic) or have health issues or food allergies that result in a special diet (e.g. Celiac’s), you will need to research your study abroad destination carefully before assuming that the food you need will be available. In many areas of the world, certain diets are not common, and in some cases, not eating food that has been prepared for you — even if for dietary reasons — is considered rude. If applicable, students living with a host family should inform the program provider of their dietary requirements immediately after acceptance into the program. The CIP or the study abroad program provider may need additional time to find a host family that would be able to accommodate specific requests. If a host family cannot meet your needs, alternative housing solutions may be possible — but with early planning. If for cultural, religious or personal reasons you do not eat certain types of food, you should contact the CIP or your study abroad program administrator to see whether or not your dietary needs can be accommodated.

Religion is an important aspect of culture. While abroad, you may encounter people of various religious and non-religious backgrounds. It is important to understand your beliefs and those of your host country or region to identify any opportunities or challenges that may arise while you are abroad. Depending on where you go, religion may play a larger or smaller role than it does here in the US. While you may be used to being part of the religious majority in the United States, your beliefs may make you a part of the religious minority while abroad. Most importantly, you want to be aware of the level of religious tolerance in your host country so you can make an informed decision on how you will practice your religion while abroad.

While abroad, it is very important to understand local laws, especially in regards to activities that appear as proselytizing and/or preaching. Always demonstrate respect to icons and statues by wearing appropriate clothing (for example, many churches and temples forbid shoulders or knees to be exposed). If you are unsure how to dress or act, ask! If it seems appropriate, talk with your new friends, host family, conversation partner, teachers, and others who are interested in discussing religion, faith, spirituality and the ways these issues are understood. You may gain a new perspective on religion by traveling abroad. You may even return home with an increased familiarity with other belief systems and a greater respect for them. Begin your research now by looking at the resources below and by talking with international students and program alumni on campus.

Female travelers are more likely to face unwanted attention or even harassment in some cultures abroad. However, you may be able to avoid uncomfortable situations with the following precautions:

• Always try to stay with a group when exploring locally and avoid walking alone at night.
• Research dress and social behaviors before you go and respect the customs of the nation. What you think is casual may actually be considered provocative or unacceptable in other cultures. Know before you go and pack accordingly.
• On arrival, note what local women are wearing and how they act, and try to follow their lead.
• Don’t feel the need to be overly polite if you are bothered by someone. While it may seem rude to be unfriendly to a stranger, creating boundaries to protect yourself is important. Use facial expressions, body language, and a firm voice to fend off any unwanted attention.
• Trust your instincts. If something is making you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation. Please do not hesitate to contact the CIP at any time during your experience to report concerns or incidents.

Resources for Female Travelers:

• U.S. State Department Information for Women Travelers

•  
• Identity Abroad: Questions to Consider: Video from the Gilman Scholarship program providing questions for reflection prior to travel abroad. 
• The Institute for the International Education of Students (or IES Abroad) shares its diversity video, “Speaking of diversity… What it means to be me in Granada.” The video, shot and produced in Granada, Spain, provides a window into the thoughts and experiences of seven diverse students and their travels in Granada.
• “Breaking Barriers,” created and produced at San Francisco State University, features students from groups traditionally underrepresented in study abroad. Students who participated in pre- and post-study abroad interviews share their reflections.
•