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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. 
  1. 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. 
  2. 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.  
  3. 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.   
  4. 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. 
  5. 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).  
  6. 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. 
  7. 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. 
  8. 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. 
Studying abroad is a very attainable goal for people with disabilities! When you are applying for a program, you must disclose any disability so that we have ample time to put any necessary support measures in place. We want to make sure that you are well supported while abroad and have a successful study abroad experience! The Disability Resource Center can help you determine what kinds of support services you may be able to receive while abroad. If you need any further guidance, please be in touch with your Study Abroad Advisor. 

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