Study Abroad Identity Resources
Studying in a new country offers exciting opportunities for personal and academic growth, and our identities and backgrounds are an important part of that journey. To get the most out of your learning experiences abroad, you should understand how your identities and background shape the ways in which you engage others in diverse cultural contexts and experience life abroad. Before you go, it’s important to think about who you are, and how others see you. The resources below will assist you in navigating the crucial aspects of who you are before embarking on your study abroad experience. It is your responsibility, however, to keep an open mind throughout your time away, practice empathetic listening, and to seek other resources that help you to deepen your understanding of the society you live in.
Country-Specific Identity Resources – IFSA and IES Abroad both offer a plethora of blogs, articles, websites, support services, and more on a country-specific basis. For more general information on these identities abroad, check out the links below:
Identity Abroad
Just as cultures vary, so does the availability of disability services in the numerous countries and communities you might consider for your study abroad venture. While students with disabilities have successfully engaged in many study abroad programs in the past, some experiences will be better equipped with support services than others. To optimize the opportunity for international travel and study, it’s crucial to inquire far in advance for accommodations, regardless of the nature of your disability.
We strongly encourage you to connect with the Student Disability Services (SDS) office on Butler’s campus! If you’re registered with their office, they can help you come up with a plan for your time abroad.
RESOURCES:
- Center for Disease Control (CDC): Traveling with a Disability
- Diversity Abroad: Students with Disabilities Abroad
- DREDF: International Disability Rights Laws
- Go Overseas: How Students with Disabilities can Study Abroad
- Mobility International USA (MIUSA)
- U.S. Department of State: Traveling with Disabilities
In numerous nations, gender socialization significantly influences expectations regarding people’s conduct, attire, and communication. It’s crucial to research and understand the cultural values and behaviors in your host country before and during your journey.
RESOURCES:
- Diversity Abroad: Women Going Abroad
- Equaldex: Country-specific LGBTQ+ rights information
- GoAbroad: Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales | LGBTQ Traveler’s Perspectives
- Government of Canada: Advice for Women Travelers
- JourneyWoman: Safety Resources for Women Travelers
- StudyAbroad.com: Study Abroad Safety Tips for Female Students
- The National Center for Transgender Equality: Know Your Rights | Airport Security
- U.S. Department of State:
It is important for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other (LGBTQIA+) students to be aware that the way sexual identities are defined and understood will vary by country and culture. Acceptance and tolerance of LGBTQIA+ issues is increasing in some parts of the world, but some countries and individuals remain intolerant. Make sure to research and discuss with your program advisors about the prevailing sentiment toward LGBTQIA+ issues abroad, as well as the laws related to them.
RESOURCES:
- Diversity Abroad: LGBTQ+ Students Abroad
- Equaldex: Country-specific LGBTQ+ rights information
- GlobalGayz: Country-specific LGBT information
- GoAbroad: Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales | LGBTQ Traveler’s Perspectives
- NAFSA: Rainbow Special Interest Group
- The National Center for Transgender Equality: Know Your Rights | Airport Security
- U.S. Department of State: LGBTQI+ Travel Information
BUTLER BLOGS:
- Samantha Mauter: “Just Be Careful There” – An LGBTQ+ Perspective Abroad
- Reilly Simmons: Discovering My Sexual Identity Abroad
Different ethnic or racial backgrounds shouldn’t be a negative factor of your study abroad experience in the country of your choice; that’s why it’s important to do a little research ahead of time to survey the national sentiment and current events of the country to which you plan to travel. We acknowledge that students from diverse backgrounds have had successful experiences abroad, and our goal is to equip you with an understanding of how your identity might be perceived in different cultural settings.
RESOURCES:
- AllAbroad.us: Resources
- Black + Abroad: – Recorded Sessions include:
- Mo’ Money, Mo’ Travels (Getting Funding to Go Abroad)
- Students Talk Back (“What I Wish I Had Known About Study Abroad”)
- How My Blackness Informs My Travels (Stories from Black Expats and Nomads)
- First Time Travelers (What to Expect When Going Abroad)
- Diversity Abroad: Minority & Students of Color Abroad and Tips for Heritage Seekers Traveling Abroad
- PLATO Project: Resources to Support Underrepresented Students
- The Black Expat: Advice and Experiences
BUTLER BLOGS:
- Giselle Varre: My Identity at Home and Abroad
- Maria De Leon: Taking Pride in One’s Own Native Language
- Raziya Hillery: An Honest Reflection on Studying Abroad as a Person of Color
- Taylor George: My Identity at Home and Abroad
Consider connecting with your religious or spiritual community while studying abroad if those communities hold significance in your life here. Ask your program administrators if you should be aware of anything related to ethnic or religious conflict in the country of your choice. Your religious or spiritual beliefs can influence your experience in a foreign country, and the resources provided below offer valuable insights derived from fellow students’ experiences, along with country-specific information to aid in your preparation.
RESOURCES:
- Diversity Abroad: Religious Diversity Abroad
- Harvard University: The Pluralism Project
- Pew Research Center: How People Around the World View Religion’s Role in their Countries
- Pew Research Center: Key Findings From the Global Religious Futures Project
- U.S. Department of State: International Religious Freedom Reports
BUTLER BLOGS:
- Astrid Ariana: Community in Italy