U.S. Department of Sate https://studyabroad.state.gov/us-government-scholarships-and-programs/us-college-and-university-
Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/study-abroad-scholarships-grants
Provider Scholarships Be sure to review the scholarships offered by your program provider and take the time to apply!
Study Abroad Identity
Identity Abroad Video
Adult students naturally face different concerns when considering a study abroad program. Adult students are often balancing their academic lives with major responsibilities at home such as having a part time or full time job and/or taking care of your children. No matter your situation, we are here to help find the best study abroad program for you!
Here are a few things to consider and questions to ask when choosing a program:
Be sure to research what people in your host country like to do and where they live. For example, do they work? Do they live with extended family or on their own? Sometimes you might feel that you do not fit in with other students on your program, but remember to get to know them & have them get to know you!
Additional Resources
Must Ask Questions for Adult Students Traveling Abroad
No Age Limits for Study Abroad – an article about a 29-year-old woman’s study abroad experience in France
The Unparalleled Benefits of Study Abroad Programs for Working Adults
First generation students are the first in their family to go to college, which also means they are likely to be the first in their family to study abroad. This can lead to special concerns for the family and friends supporting you. To help alleviate some of this stress, talk to the Study Abroad Advisors and do your own personal research.
Here are some things to consider as you think about studying abroad:
Here are some things to consider and questions to answer when selecting a program:
Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales: First Gen Students Abroad
Diversity Abroad: First Generation Students Traveling Abroad
Many students choose to study abroad to learn more about their ancestry — these students are known as heritage seekers. The Institute of International Education has coined the term “heritage seeker” as a student who is drawn to study abroad in a particular country and culture “not because it is unfamiliar and new, but rather because it is somewhat familiar.”
The type of experience you will have abroad as a heritage seeker will be unique. Some students come home feeling very connected to their ancestral roots, while others return feeling more appreciative of their American roots. Either way, going abroad will give you a chance to learn more about your ancestral history and the culture today firsthand.
Going to your ancestral homeland can be a very emotional experience because you are choosing the location not just for the academics, but for personal reasons as well. Some students will be able to meet with relatives, while others will be connecting with their ancestral history or the language of their family through coursework. Many students found that local community members have high expectations regarding the cultural knowledge and linguistic capabilities of heritage seeking students.
Heritage seekers, at times, have idealized views of their ancestral homes, so it is important to go into the country with an open mind. You may be welcomed by the local community, but still considered an outsider. Often in the U.S., people will ask about your ancestral background and someone will reply, “I’m Irish, French, and German.”, but abroad, you are seen as an American.
Some Things to Consider:
Tips for Heritage Seekers Traveling Abroad
Each year degree-seeking international students choose to participate in a study abroad program. Some students choose to go back to their home country, while others choose to explore another part of the world.
If you do choose to study abroad here are some things to keep in mind:
Questions to ask your academic advisor:
There are many different factors for all students to think about when choosing a study abroad program, and LGBTQ+ students may have unique questions and concerns. Living abroad will open up opportunities to think about LGBTQ+ identity in a whole new context. It can represent a second “coming out” and you will need to make decisions about how and when to express your LGBTQ+ identity. It is helpful to think about what kind of support may be available to you in your new environment.
Is Study Abroad for You?
We think there is a study abroad program for all students, but this is a question we ask all students to consider. Study abroad can satisfy degree requirements and students often say that their time abroad was one of the most enjoyable parts of their college career. While study abroad can be challenging, the experience can help you learn more about yourself.
As an LGBTQ+ student, you probably already navigate various cultural locations and spaces on a daily basis. This will serve you well as you think about studying abroad! LGBTQ+ students may find it easier to adapt and thrive abroad because of the need to navigate between and across different cultural groups right here in the United States.
Not sure where to begin? Contact Andy Quackenbush, Senior Study Abroad Advisor. Andy is our liaison to the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC) and is glad to discuss any questions you might have.
LGBTQ+ Issues and Concerns
Countries and cultures view gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in many different ways. Some host cultures may be more welcoming and accepting of LGBTQ+ identities than in the United States, but others may have laws that restrict the freedoms of LGBTQ+ people.
Gender norms vary from country to country as well, and it is important to do research on those prior to departure. Learn the laws of your host country regarding LGBTQ+ issues, same-sex sexual behavior and expressions of LGBTQ+ identity and community. If same-sex sexual behaviors are illegal in your host country and you are reported for engaging in them, you could be arrested and imprisoned. There are maps that include information on LGBTQ+ rights around the world to explore. Regardless of the laws of your host country, it is always important to research whether an environment is affirming to LGBTQ+ people. Many of our past students have had very positive experiences abroad. Take some time to check out the comments on this page from your fellow Badgers.
Things to Consider
It is helpful to think carefully about your goals for study abroad.
Get to know your destination before you leave. Explore LGBTQ+ travel guides and internet resources to get a better idea of social norms and customs of your host country.
Here are some questions to ask yourself, the GSCC, and/or your Study Abroad Advisor when choosing a study abroad program:
WSU LGBTQIA+ Resource Center
Department of State LGBTI Travel Information
Diversity Abroad: LGBTQ+ Students Abroad
Transgender Europe
LGBTQ+ Guide for Living in France
Equaldex
Explore the progress of LGBTQ+ rights across the world. Includes an interactive map.
Rainbow Scholarship
The Rainbow Scholarship awards deserving LGBTQ+ students who aim to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs.
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Intersex Association
A world-wide network of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for GLBT people everywhere
Global Gayz
An online journal documenting the travels of LGBT individuals around the world
GayGuide
A worldwide directory to help gay locals and tourists find places to stay and to go
National Center for Transgender Equality
Social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment.
Spartacus World’s Gay Travel Index
This website ranks all of the countries in the world in terms of LGBT travel friendliness.
Some questions students should consider before going abroad:
Diversity Abroad
A portal with study abroad information for underrepresented students.
IES Abroad
IES Abroad has a range of country-specific resources around race and ethnicity, in addition to other identities.
Black Girl Abroad: How I Learned to Relinquish My Hold on Forced Identity
A blog post written by a student correspondent studying abroad at CET/ Colombia.
Top 10 Reasons for African American Students to go Abroad
An article dispelling the myths associated with African Americans studying abroad.
The Project for Learning Abroad, Training and Outreach (PLATO)
PLATO Project is an integrated study abroad training, certification, and diversity outreach program. PLATO provides comprehensive support resources for study abroad to all U.S. college and university students with special support for underrepresented students.
Brown University Diversity Issues in Study Abroad
A collection of quotes by Brown University students about their experiences abroad.
Religion plays a role in many countries and cultures, and depending on where you travel, this may be a larger or smaller role than in the United States. It is a good idea to research religion in your host country before you go abroad. One place to start can be the CIA’s World Factbook that allows you to search by country and provides the most recent statistics on religion. Additionally, you may have religious practices that you would like to observe abroad. Be sure to talk with your Study Abroad Advisor if you have specific questions about any needed accommodations (e.g., dietary restrictions, prayer times).
Remember to stay open minded about different beliefs you may encounter and consider how your own beliefs will be received abroad. Learning about a country’s major religions can be a good opportunity to learn more about its culture. If you are planning to worship abroad, do some advanced research on available locations. There are also many centers and student organizations that can be utilized by students. In addition to talking with your Study Abroad Advisor, you may be able to discuss some of your concerns about worship abroad with these groups.
Some other things to consider are:
Just as cultures differ, though, so does the degree of access and readily available disability services in the many countries and communities you might consider for your study abroad experience. Students with disabilities have successfully participated in many study abroad programs; however, not every study abroad experience is a good fit from an accessibility perspective.
To maximize the opportunity to travel abroad and study internationally, it is essential that you allocate a minimum of six months (preferably up to one year) in advance of your program to plan for accommodations, regardless of the type of disability. Experience tells us the key to success is early notification and planning. The WSU Student Accessibility Services Office.
Planning a successful and accessible study abroad experience is a collaborative process that includes you, our office, the T The WSU Student Accessibility Services Office, the host institution and faculty. Each has an important role to play in ensuring that students with disabilities are able to participate fully.
Your Responsibilities
It is your responsibility to:
Some questions to consider when you are doing your research and planning include:
One issue that students engage daily is the role of gender in a new cultural context. Both men and women may find that their identity, role and expected behavior in their host country are different from what it had been at home.
It is helpful to remember that understanding cultural differences relating to gender and learning how to interact in that context is a valuable part of the study abroad experience. We seek to assist you in working through these important issues as you prepare to go abroad. We encourage you to meet with Study Abroad Advisors to discuss expectations and concerns.
We encourage all students to do research into social norms and cultural practices of the host country before leaving to study abroad. Our staff members are available to answer questions about the study abroad process and to help you to understand how gender issues may be experienced and understood differently abroad.
Here are a few questions you may want to explore to help you think about gender abroad:
When preparing to study abroad, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the host country’s cultural attitude toward gender, keeping in mind that the local norms there might be different from your personal values. Talking with other women who have studied abroad in that location is a great starting point for learning more about what to expect. Students may find that there are significant differences in the norms for dress, behavior, and relationships.
It is important to remember that your words and actions may be perceived in a different manner than you intended them due to cultural differences. When you are unsure about how to behave in a certain circumstance, you are encouraged to take cues from local women. This cultural understanding is particularly important in terms of male-female relationships. In many cultures, a friendly smile and eye contact that would be appropriate in the United States, may unintentionally draw unwanted attention from men in your host country.
Because of the considerations of navigating different gender roles while studying abroad, it is vital to prioritize your own safety at all times. While harassment may be more difficult to verify abroad because of differing cultural norms, cultural sensitivity does not mean that you need to submit to behaviors that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Common-sense safety precautions such as traveling in pairs or groups, dressing in a culturally appropriate manner, and educating yourself about sexual harassment are integral to maintaining your sense of safety. Be sure to familiarize yourself with emergency procedures, and take your gut feelings seriously. Here are some additional recommendations:
State Department Travel Tips for Women
