Resources
Resources for Outgoing Students (for LGBTQIA, women, multicultural students, nontraditional students, heritage students, veteran students, and students with disabilities and health concerns)
Study abroad is for everyone! We offer support and advice to anyone who needs it. Below are resources we’ve complied for specific groups of students – please make an appointment with us if you need further resources and support.
LGBTQIA Students
LGBTQIA students may have special considerations for studying abroad. Some locations may be better options than others due to laws and cultural views of the LGBTQIA community. We want all students to have access to study abroad and to be able to be in a location where they will have a positive experience abroad. Please meet with your Study Abroad Advisor to discuss program options.
LGBTQIA Student Resources:
Rainbow Sig
Department of State LGBTI Travel Information
Diversity Abroad
Outright Action International
Sexual Orientation Laws in the World
Women
Women may have special considerations for travel, especially if/when they travel alone. Please meet with your Study Abroad Advisor to discuss program options. Below are resources for women:
Diversity Abroad
Her Own Way - Canadian Government
Journey Woman
The Center For Global Education
Expat Woman
Center for Women and Gender at USU
Multicultural Students
Multicultural students may have special considerations for study abroad. Please meet with your Study Abroad Advisor to discuss program options. Below are resources for multicultural students:
USU Access and Diversity Center
Diversity Abroad
The Center For Global Education
All Abroad
Nontraditional Students
Nontraditional students may have special considerations for study abroad. Please meet with your Study Abroad Advisor to discuss program options. Below are resources for nontraditional students:
USU Access and Diversity Center
Students Searching for Heritage Programs
Students are considered heritage-seekers if they identify with the ethnic background of the country where they plan to study abroad. Studying abroad to better understand your ancestry can be a wonderful experience, though there may be frustrations that come with it. Below are some helpful resources for considerations when exploring a program for heritage-seeking reasons:
Diversity Abroad
Go Overseas
Veteran Students
We welcome veterans to apply for a study abroad experience! Below are some resources if you have GI Benefits and would like to use them to study abroad.
GI Bill Benefits for Study Abroad Information
How to Use your GI Bill to Study Abroad
Students with Disabilities and Health Concerns
Students with disabilities or health issues may have special considerations for study abroad, but it can be an incredible experience! Here are some tips that may make your experience go a little smoother.
- Some countries and cities are more accessible than others. When deciding where to study abroad, do some research about the destination. Are buildings required to have access ramps and/or elevators? Is public transportation accessible to your needs? Are roads paved, cobblestone, or dirt? Will you be able to get your medications in the host country? It’s important to consider these things in addition to the academic program.
- Build a support network. There is great value in making friends who will stand by you and support you when you feel ill. Find a friend in each class. Become close with your roommate. Having supportive friends can make the experience abroad more manageable, accessible, and enjoyable.
- Along those same lines, have an open line of communication with your professors and your program director. Let them know how you are doing, what you need, and what would make the experience more feasible for you. They will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
- Learn medical terminology in your host country’s language. If you can express how you feel and what your body is going through, you can better receive the medical help you may need.
- Similarly, find out the names of any prescriptions you may take in your host country. Some medications go by different names in different countries. If you will be receiving refills while abroad, be sure to know what to ask for from the pharmacist. It’s also a good idea to have a note from your doctor listing and describing all your medications (both in English and your host language).
- Call venues ahead of time to see if they are accessible for your needs. If you are going out and are worried the destination may not be able to suit your needs, give them a call and find out. Call restaurants and ask if they can accommodate your food allergy. Ask if a building has an elevator. You can even ask what the venue is like so you can determine what support-gear or mobility device you may need. If the venue cannot meet your exact needs, they may be able to work out some other type of accommodation.
- Rest and take care of your health. Being in a new place is exciting, and it is incredibly tempting to want to fill every minute. However, you will have a much better experience if you also take care of your body. You will miss out on more if you are only functioning at half-capacity. Take siestas, say no to late nights every now and again, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat well, and exercise (if applicable). Your experience abroad will be so much better if your health is a priority.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You will not get the assistance you need if you don’t ask for it. Talk to your professors, your friends, people you meet. They can offer assistance and are often quite willing to do so.
Considerations adapted from study abroad student McKinley Benson; McKinley’s blog.
Below are more resources for students with disabilities:
Study abroad questions for students with disabilities
Diversity Abroad guide for students with disabilities
Department of State information on traveling with disabilities
This article gives a great analogy for understanding what someone with a disability might be going through on a daily basis.
Mobility International
For tips on accessibility in many large cities around the globe: Wheel Chair Travel
Students who take Medication and Plan to take Medication while Abroad
Medical Information