Study abroad diversity resources

What is my host culture's attitude toward individuals with disabilities? How do they define disability?

Are there any laws and/or protections for people with disabilities in my host country?

What accessibility barriers might I encounter and how will I handle them?

What types of accommodations might I need while abroad in order to have a successful experience? Does my host university have a disability services office or a point of contact designated to address accommodations needs?

If I utilize academic, medical, psychological, or other resources at my home institution, will I also utilize resources abroad? Where can I find the resources I need? What is the financial cost of these resources and what does my insurance cover?

What is the physical environment and terrain like of my host university? Does it meet my accessibility needs?

What are the overall conditions of the public sidewalks and street pavements?

How accessible are places in my host country? How much do physical accessibility aspects like distance across campus, public transportation, weather, etc. matter to me?

Is public transportation (bus, train, etc.) available and accessible?

When necessary, will covering costs of private taxis be feasible due to inaccessible public transportation?

Are there accessible housing options that are close to classes? If there are dining areas, laundry rooms, and study areas, are these accessible as well?

What are the sleeping arrangements like in my program?

Are there accessible bathrooms and shower facilities? How close are they to my room?

Are there elevators available in my housing facility?

Are local businesses (banks, shopping centers, markets, grocery stores) accessible? How close are they to my housing accommodations?

How different is the academic environment? Is there flexibility for longer test time, reduced workloads, mandatory excursions, etc.?

Does this program fit my learning style?

How are the courses formatted? What type of coursework will be required?

What academic accommodations does my host university offer?

Who can I contact to request accommodations for my classes?

How will I handle refills of my prescription medication? Is my prescribed medication legal and available in my host country?

Will I need additional documentation to travel with any particular medications or supplies? Will I be able to travel legally with these supplies?

What types of medical care are available? Will I be able to access necessary medical care or medication abroad?

Where can I seek medical care? How close is it to my housing accomodations?

Are replacement parts for medical devices readily available in the event of loss or damage?

I’m currently working with a mental health care provider. Will I be able to continue my sessions over a virtual platform?

How do I cope with transitions? How will I navigate culture shock?

How will I practice self-care while abroad?

What support systems are necessary to help me overcome feelings of stress, loneliness, and anxiety?

Why am I interested in studying abroad? What do I hope to gain from this experience?

Would I consider heritage travel? (heritage travel: visiting places of personal and cultural significance)

If this is my first time abroad, how important is it for me to choose a host country with cultural similarities?

How will I navigate culture shock? Who are my networks of support?

How important is it for me to be geographically close to my friends and family while I am abroad? (ex: Do I feel more comfortable going somewhere closer to the United States or would I consider somewhere further away?)

How will my study abroad experience support my academic plan and goals at USF?

How will I explain the process to study abroad to my family and friends?

If no one in my family has studied abroad, who can help me answer their questions?

What worries might my family and friends have about my international experience? What information might help them feel more comfortable with me studying abroad?

What resources are available for my family and friends?

How will I keep in touch with my family and friends while I am abroad?

How do I plan to finance my time abroad?

Are there any additional funding sources that can help finance my time abroad?

Are there any expenses beyond the cost of the study abroad program that I need to prepare for? (ex: passport, airfare, meals, etc.)

How does the cost of studying abroad compare to the cost of attending USF?

What is an attainable budget that I can prepare for?

How much money should I save in case of an emergency while abroad?

Upon returning, how will I incorporate my experiences abroad back into my life at USF?

How can I utilize my experiences abroad personally, academically, and professionally?

What impact can studying abroad have on my academics and career path?

How will I navigate reverse culture shock? Who are my networks of support?

How will I share my experiences with my community?

Are there resources available to LGBTQIA+ identifying people in my host country? Or within my study abroad program?

Does my program offer gender inclusive housing options?

Does my host university offer gender neutral bathrooms?

What documents indicating a gender/sex marker will I need for traveling and studying abroad? Would it be helpful to change the gender/sex marker on any of those documents before traveling? (For U.S. passports, the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs facilitates this process using a Form DS-11 to change your gender marker. Note that this form requires assembling additional information and will take time to complete.)

How important is it to me to find a community that shares similar identities as me while abroad?

Are there open LGBTIQA+ communities in my host city? Or within my study abroad program?

How can I maintain the relationships I build upon returning home?

If finding a sense of community is important to me, what challenges can I prepare to anticipate? Am I prepared to seek out these relationships?

How will I navigate the potential difficulties of not being able to immediately find a community I feel connected to?

How comfortable do I feel being open about my sexual orientation, gender identity, and pronouns with my professors, peers, host family, etc.?

Based on my comfort and safety, are there situations in which I would choose not to disclose my sexual orientation or gender identity?

If I feel the need to conceal my sexual orientation or gender identity, how will this impact my study abroad experience?

What are the cultural and local attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity in my host country?

What do cultural expressions of gender and sexuality look like in my host country?

Is open discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity welcomed or more taboo?

If I’m interested in dating, what should I know about relationship and dating norms in my host country?

Will I need access to any medications, supplies, or services to properly care for my medical needs, including those related to physical transition, like hormones? Are they available in my host country?

Will I need additional documentation to travel with any particular medications or supplies? Will I be able to travel legally with these supplies?

What are my safety needs? How can they best be met?

How safe is it for me to be open about my LGBTQIA+ identity within my host community?

If I am targeted by a hate crime or microaggression, how will I respond? Where can I find support?

Reflecting on my comfort and safety, which laws will be most impactful on my decision to study in a particular country?

What are the laws regarding identity and travel documentation?

Are there hate crime laws in place to provide certain protections for LGBTQIA+ communities?

What is the legality of same-sex sexual behavior?

What is the age of consent for sexual behavior? Does it differ for heterosexual vs. same-sex couples?

What do I hope to gain from my experience abroad? How do I decide which location will be best for me based on what I hope to gain?

Would I consider heritage travel? (heritage travel: visiting places of personal and cultural significance)

If staying with a host family, have they accommodated students of my race/ethnicity before? If not, will this be an issue for me or them?

What experiences do students of color typically have in the program or in the country I am considering?

Will there be other students of color in my program? If I am the only member of my racial/ethnic group in my program, how will that impact my experience abroad?

How does my host culture define race and ethnicity in their country?

Who is perceived as a racial or ethnic minority in my host country? How is that perception different from my experience as a person of color in my native country?

How are people of my race/ethnicity typically treated in my host country?

Is there a history of racial or ethnic tension in my host country? Is the situation currently hostile to members of a minority race or particular ethnicity or religion?

How might the perception of my racial or ethnic identity shape my experience abroad?

What are my safety needs? How can they best be met?

If I am targeted by a hate crime or microaggression, how will I respond?

What resources are available if I experience racial or discriminatory incidents?

Someone said something I find to be offensive. Are there cultural differences that would lead someone to say something that they don’t intend to be harmful?

What worries might my family and friends have about my international experience? What information might help them feel more comfortable with me studying abroad?

What do I hope to gain from my experience abroad? How do I decide which location will be best for me based on what I hope to gain?

What experiences do students of similar religious backgrounds typically have in the program or in the country I am considering?

If I am staying with a host family, am I open to living in a household with a different religious background than my own?

How might my religious practice or identity be impacted if I study in a country where the dominant religion is not my own?

If I have religious dietary restrictions, can they be accommodated in my host country and program housing? Who can I contact to discuss my dietary needs?

Are there any religious holidays that will take place during my stay?

Will I be able to find places of worship in my host country?

Even if I do not practice the religion in my host country, how can I respect the religion and participate in cultural events?

How important is it to find a community that shares similar religious identities as me while abroad?

How can I maintain the relationships I build upon returning home?

If finding a sense of community is important to me, what challenges can I prepare to anticipate? Am I prepared to seek out these relationships?

How will I navigate the potential difficulties of not being able to immediately find a religious community I feel connected to?

What is the dominant religion of my host country? Will I be a part of the religious majority or minority in my host country?

Are there any laws regarding religion? Is there a separation between religion and government?

Do any parts of my identity conflict with my host country’s religious values or attitudes?

Is it safe for me to wear religious symbols or clothing?

How tolerant is the culture in my host country of other religions, atheists and/or agnostics?

What are my safety needs? How can they best be met?

If I am targeted by a hate crime or microaggression, how will I respond?

What resources are available if I experience discriminatory incidents?

Someone said something I find to be offensive. Are there cultural differences that would lead someone to say something that they don’t intend to be harmful?

What worries might my family and friends have about my international experience? What information might help them feel more comfortable with me studying abroad?