- International Students & Scholars
Education abroad offers a unique chance to broaden academic horizons and cultivate a greater cultural awareness. For LGBTQ+ students, it can provide opportunities to explore diverse understandings of sexual orientation and gender identity, leading to a more nuanced view of oneself.
Still, just as attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals vary within the U.S., the same is true across the globe - attitudes may even vary throughout different parts of the same country, as in the U.S. While many countries offer legal protections to people regardless of their sexual or gender identity, others may enforce harsh penalties for openly identifying as LGBTQ+.
Researching your destination and discussing cultural norms and rights with your education abroad adviser and program staff is essential to ensuring your safety and comfort abroad.
Questions to consider:
- Are there visible LGBTQ+ communities within my host country or at the local university? If having a tangible LGBTQ+ community is important to me, how will I cope with the potential challenge of not finding one while abroad?
- Are there legal protections or restrictions concerning sexual orientation or gender identity in the country where I plan to study or intern abroad? How can I navigate these legal considerations, and do they influence my decision to pursue education abroad in this country?
- Is it advisable for me to openly express my sexual orientation or gender identity while abroad?
- If not, am I okay with the idea of potentially having to conceal or subdue my sexual orientation or gender identity expression?
- Are there local LGBTQ+ organizations? If so, would I be interested in getting involved?
- What are the cultural attitudes and norms surrounding dating and forming friendships in my host country?
- Will I require access to specific medications, supplies, or medical services to adequately manage my healthcare needs, including those related to physical transition such as hormone therapy? Are these resources readily available in the country where I'll be studying or interning abroad?
- If not, what additional documentation will be necessary for traveling with these medications or supplies? Can I legally transport these supplies while traveling?
- If I am currently utilizing insurance for any healthcare services, including those related to physical transition, what is the extent of insurance coverage during my time abroad?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Prioritize your safety and comfort: While we hope that you won't encounter any unsafe conditions abroad, please ensure that you're making decisions that prioritize your well-being. While abroad, look out for yourself and your friends, especially late at night.
- Research your host country: Prior to departure, acquaint yourself with the customs and regulations of your host country. You may also want to find out if there are any local LGBTQ+ communities - even if you don't actively participate in those communities, it can be helpful to know that you have people to turn to who will understand your situation.
- Connect with other students: If you're abroad in a country that is not tolerant of LGBTQ+ individuals, it can be exhausting to conceal your identity. Consider finding other students on your program who you trust and can talk to when you're having a difficult time.
- Familiarize yourself with your support system: In case of an incident in which you feel discriminated against or generally uncomfortable, familiarize yourself with on-site support resources to work through that incident.
Resources:
- ILGA: International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (has country-specific resources)
- Outright International (international advocacy group for LGBTQ+ individuals)
- Spartacus Gay Travel Index (rates countries based on their tolerance of LGBTQ+ travelers)
Education abroad offers a unique chance to broaden academic horizons and cultivate a greater cultural awareness. For LGBTQ+ students, it can provide opportunities to explore diverse understandings of sexual orientation and gender identity, leading to a more nuanced view of oneself.
Still, just as attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals vary within the U.S., the same is true across the globe - attitudes may even vary throughout different parts of the same country, as in the U.S. While many countries offer legal protections to people regardless of their sexual or gender identity, others may enforce harsh penalties for openly identifying as LGBTQ+.
Researching your destination and discussing cultural norms and rights with your education abroad adviser and program staff is essential to ensuring your safety and comfort abroad.
Questions to consider:
- Are there visible LGBTQ+ communities within my host country or at the local university? If having a tangible LGBTQ+ community is important to me, how will I cope with the potential challenge of not finding one while abroad?
- Are there legal protections or restrictions concerning sexual orientation or gender identity in the country where I plan to study or intern abroad? How can I navigate these legal considerations, and do they influence my decision to pursue education abroad in this country?
- Is it advisable for me to openly express my sexual orientation or gender identity while abroad?
- If not, am I okay with the idea of potentially having to conceal or subdue my sexual orientation or gender identity expression?
- Are there local LGBTQ+ organizations? If so, would I be interested in getting involved?
- What are the cultural attitudes and norms surrounding dating and forming friendships in my host country?
- Will I require access to specific medications, supplies, or medical services to adequately manage my healthcare needs, including those related to physical transition such as hormone therapy? Are these resources readily available in the country where I'll be studying or interning abroad?
- If not, what additional documentation will be necessary for traveling with these medications or supplies? Can I legally transport these supplies while traveling?
- If I am currently utilizing insurance for any healthcare services, including those related to physical transition, what is the extent of insurance coverage during my time abroad?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Prioritize your safety and comfort: While we hope that you won't encounter any unsafe conditions abroad, please ensure that you're making decisions that prioritize your well-being. While abroad, look out for yourself and your friends, especially late at night.
- Research your host country: Prior to departure, acquaint yourself with the customs and regulations of your host country. You may also want to find out if there are any local LGBTQ+ communities - even if you don't actively participate in those communities, it can be helpful to know that you have people to turn to who will understand your situation.
- Connect with other students: If you're abroad in a country that is not tolerant of LGBTQ+ individuals, it can be exhausting to conceal your identity. Consider finding other students on your program who you trust and can talk to when you're having a difficult time.
- Familiarize yourself with your support system: In case of an incident in which you feel discriminated against or generally uncomfortable, familiarize yourself with on-site support resources to work through that incident.
Resources:
- ILGA: International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (has country-specific resources)
- Outright International (international advocacy group for LGBTQ+ individuals)
- Spartacus Gay Travel Index (rates countries based on their tolerance of LGBTQ+ travelers)
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