Diversity, Identity, & Accessibility Resources

Education Abroad welcomes and encourages students from all backgrounds to consider making study abroad part of their degree program at Indiana University. Part of the learning experience of studying abroad is that you may find that attitudes you understand in the U.S. about race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and ability may be different abroad. Below are some resources that will hopefully provide you with more information about how to be you while abroad.

Education Abroad welcomes students of all abilities.

While we cannot guarantee that any or all of our program sites can accommodate your needs or interests, we will do our best to inform you of your options abroad. The Americans with Disabilities Act is not universal across the world and not all countries have legal protections for people with disabilities. 

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the study abroad experience related to your abilities or otherwise, please contact an advisor in Education Abroad.

In an attempt to assist you, we:

  • Work closely with the Accessible Educational Services office regarding your special needs.
  • Will assist you, in conjunction with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange within Mobility International, in finding the appropriate program for you. 
  • Include sections in our “Study Abroad Handbook” about different abilities. 
  • Communicate with program staff abroad about accommodations you may need.

You may find the following general resources useful:

IUPUI resources:

Access Abroad 
This website, developed by the University of Minnesota, provides resources to assist students with disabilities who wish to study abroad. 

IES Abroad Diversity Resources
A collection from IES of resources, scholarships, videos, and webinars about study abroad accessibility. 

United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
A map that shows which countries have signed and/or ratified the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. 

DREDF International Disability Rights Laws 
A list of legislation protecting people with disabilities by country.

Country-specific information may be available, such as:

Education Abroad welcomes students of all identities. We recognize being an adult college student, First Generation student, or Veteran can be an important factor when deciding to study abroad and which program is the best fit for you.

You may find the following resources useful: 

First Generation:

Veterans:

  • AIFS resources for student veterans
  • Institute of International Education resources for GI Bill students
  • NAFSA resource for military veterans studying abroad
  • The Forum for Education Abroad: Advocacy resources on using the GI Bill for study abroad

Education Abroad welcomes LGBTQ+ students and students of all gender expressions.

Depending on what you may be accustomed to and where you choose to study abroad, you might find that gender roles and expectations in other societies are quite different. You may also find that attitudes toward the overall LGBTQ+ community differ from what you are used to. Since you will be viewed through the lens of the host culture, these differences in attitudes and expectations may cause you to feel uncomfortable at times. This may be particularly true for female, transgender, non-binary/gender nonconforming students, and students who generally identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Program staff both in Education Abroad and abroad can advise students about how to minimize negative interactions at your program site and how to see your unique identity as a positive component of your study abroad experience.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the study abroad experience related to your gender identity and/or sexual orientation, please contact an advisor in Education Abroad.

In an attempt to assist you, we:

  • Include sections in our “Study Abroad Handbook” about gender identity and sexual orientation.
  • Encourage our program sites overseas to keep information available about local LGBTQ+ support groups.
  • Stay in close contact with the LGBTQ+ Culture Centeron the IUB campus.

You may find the following resources useful:

IES Student Blog: LGBTQ+
Students can filter Categories to read more about the experiences of LGBTQ+ students abroad in a variety of locations around the globe.

IES LGBTQ+ and Ally Resources
Students can find a collection of IES Abroad and other website’s resources specific to the LGBTQ+ community.

IES Location-Specific Identity Resources
The IES location-specific resources provide information for and student perspectives about life in each location for LGBTQ+ students.

CIEE Student Blog
Students can read more about the experiences of LGBTQ+ students abroad in a variety of locations by using “LGBTQ” in the search filter.

A list of resources for LGBTQ+ students abroad, compiled by Education Abroad

Air Travel Tips for Transgender Students Studying Abroad
This article explores air travel tips for transgender and non-binary students.

NAFSA's Rainbow Special Interest Group 
This site is maintained by NAFSA volunteers and produced by international education professionals who specialize in LGBTQ+ issues.

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship
The Rainbow Scholarship is a national scholarship for deserving LGBTQ+ students who aims to participate in a high quality, rigorous education abroad program.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association
This organization publishes reports relating to the climate for LGBTQ+ individuals in various regions around the world. 

Her Own Way: Advice for the Woman Traveller
The Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau provides information about security, packing, culture shock and more in this article for women travelers.

La Bella Experienza
This book, by an IU alum, provides resources and advice for women studying abroad in Italy.

Women Travelers
Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) lists a number of tips for women travelers. The FCO is the department of the British Government responsible for overseas relations and foreign affairs.

Sexual Assault Support & Help for Americans Abroad 
This network offers resources to assist American citizens and legal permanent residents who are sexually assaulted in a foreign country.

Sexual Harassment And Prevention In College Students Studying Abroad (SAFETI)
The SAFETI online newsletter addresses issues of safety in study abroad. This article explores how women can minimize their risk of being sexually harassed while traveling abroad.

U.S. Passports & International Travel: LGBTI Travel Information

Resources for Transgender Students:

Legal Considerations

Because an experience abroad can be physically, mentally and emotionally demanding, think carefully about your mental health as you prepare to study abroad. A certain amount of stress due to culture shock and a change in living conditions is a normal part of an experience abroad and may aggravate an illness you have under control at home. Before your program, discuss any mental health concerns with your doctor or counselor and create a plan for how you will handle any anticipated stressors and mental health needs abroad.

Keep in mind that access to health care (including counseling in your native language) and medications may differ in your host country. In some countries, mental health resources may be limited and some medications may be illegal. Make sure any medication you take is legal in your host country and that you can access any health care you may need throughout the length of your program.

You may find the following resources useful:

IUPUI resources:

IES resources:


Education Abroad welcomes students from all backgrounds.

We recognize that students of various racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds may have specific considerations while preparing to go abroad and may experience unique challenges abroad as well.

Students may find that physical features that distinguish them from the host population may result in stares, comments, or sometimes-overt prejudice. Program staff both here in Education Abroad and abroad can advise students about how to minimize negative interactions at your program site and how to see your unique identity as a positive component of your study abroad experience.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the study abroad experience related to your racial, ethnic, or national background, please contact an advisor in Education Abroad.

You may find the following resources useful:

IES Location-Specific Identity Resources
The IES location-specific resources provide information for and perspectives from students of various racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds about life in each location.

IES Student Blogs: Race/Identity
Students can filter Categories to read numerous blog posts about the experiences of students from diverse identities, racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds in a variety of locations around the globe.

Traveling with Natural Hair
This article provides packing tips, ideas for travel hairstyles, information on how to find a stylist abroad, and personal stories.

CIEE Student Blog
Students can read more about the experiences of LGBTQ+ students abroad in a variety of locations by using “Diversity & Access” in the search filter.

IFSA Butler Student Blog: Studying Abroad as a WOC
Read more about one student's experience of studying abroad in Australia as a woman of color.

 

Education Abroad welcomes students from all religious and spiritual communities.

If your religious or spiritual community is important to you, we hope you seek out that community while abroad. Use the links below to find information about religious and spiritual groups around the world.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the study abroad experience related to your religious or spiritual background, please contact an advisor in Education Abroad.

U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Reports
This site explores the state of religious freedom, country by country, as seen by the U.S. Department of State.

Time and Date
A list of public holidays and other special days in over 200 countries.

BBC Guide to World Religions
Brief overview of religions around the world with links to additional resources.

Diversity Abroad
Tips and must ask questions about religion for study abroad students.

IES Location-Specific Identity Resources
The IES location-specific resources provide information for and perspectives from students of various religious and spiritual backgrounds about life in each location.

KAHAL
Resources for Jewish students going abroad, including information on how to keep Kosher.

Zabihah
Directory of halal restaurants and stores worldwide.

Islamic Finder
Directory of prayer times, Islamic organizations, and mosques worldwide.

World Buddhist Directory
Searchable directory of Buddhist centers around the world.

The World Council of Churches
A directory of member churches around the world.

International Humanist and Ethical Union
IHEU is the world union of over a hundred Humanist, rationalist, secular, ethical culture, atheist and freethought organizations in more than 40 countries.

IES Student Blog: Religion
Students can filter Categories to read more about the experiences of students from a variety of religious and spiritual backgrounds in a variety of locations around the globe.