FREE Ebook! LGBTQI Student Guide to Study Abroad

Studying abroad can be a defining moment in any student’s educational journey, one filled with opportunities for growth, numerous realizations, and many more meaningful experiences. For LGBTQI students, studying abroad can be not only an incredible powerful educational experience, it can also be an opportunity to expand understanding, awareness, and acceptance of the LGBTQI community globally. 

Every student deserves the chance to study abroad alongside their peers and experience all the world has to offer, and these are just a few of the key points every LGBTQI student contemplating study abroad should consider:

Be Aware of Cultural Differences

When selecting a destination for study abroad, it is essential that LGBTQI students research the culture of their host country. As the heart of studying abroad lies in learning about the differences in how others live around the world, a commitment to cultural sensitivity is critical. Sometimes this means being the bigger person, as the unfortunate reality is that many cultures have yet to foster acceptance of the LGBTQI community, and attempting to change this as a guest will lead to a bad time for everyone involved. The best way to get a head start on how to be sensitive to your host country’s culture is by reading up about it before departure.

LGBTQI students should spend significant time reading about the overall attitudes that local people have toward LGBTQI persons and get to know any general cultural norms that may impact their behavioral choices while studying abroad. This type of cultural research is especially important for LGBTQI students who choose study abroad programs that entail homestay accommodations.

Know Your Host Country's Stance

In the same way that cultural knowledge is essential to LGBTQI students’ study abroad experience, background on the history of LGBTQI rights and acceptance, as well as current laws and policies, will be incredibly beneficial information to have on hand. As an LGBTQI student, you can choose to study abroad anywhere in the world, but that does not mean that every country will be equally safe, welcoming, and friendly. Big cities are often safer bets than small towns when it comes to acceptance of the LGBTQI community, so keep that in mind when researching your dream destinations. 

Before settling on a destination, do your research, and then decide if you’re are ready to deal with the challenges it may pose on a daily basis. Alternatively, some LGBTQI students may choose to study abroad in countries that are more LGBTQI-friendly than home, to experience a more open-minded and accepting environment. 

Stay Positive

One of the most important things LGBTQI study abroad students must remember is to stay positive. All study abroad students have good days and bad days, and this can be especially true for LGBTQI study abroad students. It is easy to get discouraged when faced with ingrained negativity toward the LGBTQI community or laws and policies that restrict individual freedoms, but keep in mind that your time abroad is limited. While no one should have to experience oppression or discrimination, having a first hand experience with it for the first time may help you understand the experiences of others in the LGBTQI community, and learn ways of combating it practically and academically.

During the challenging times, LGBTQI study abroad students should seek out support from their friends and family back home, and try to keep in mind all the benefits that a study abroad experience has to offer.

Find LGBT Community Resources & Support

In order for LGBT students to feel safe, supported, and welcome during their time abroad, it is important that they seek out LGBT supporters in their host country. In most cities around the world, and especially at universities, there are a plethora of LGBT organizations, support resources, forms of media, meeting places, and social groups that LGBT students can connect with during their study abroad program. Getting involved in their host country and meeting local LGBT students and community members will help students feel like they have a support network close by if they ever need help.

A Comprehensive LGBT Guide to Study Abroad - Download Now

GoAbroad is dedicated to providing every LGBT student, and every student for that matter, with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to study abroad. Therefore, we’d like to introduce our LGBT Guide to Study Abroad, a comprehensive resource that every LGBT student, study abroad office, program provider, and everyone in between, can utilize to make sure every LGBT student has the information they need to have a successful study abroad experience.

Want more information and advice? Download GoAbroad's Complete LGBT Student Guide to Study Abroad now.