The Steinhardt Office of Global Affairs team is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students and to encouraging a diverse student population to study abroad in our programs.
When going abroad, students may find themselves in unfamiliar, challenging, and thought-provoking situations, especially when they are brought face-to-face with attitudes and perceptions of diversity issues that are different from the U.S.
It is important that you do your research to prepare for experiences that can be both challenging and rewarding. Doing so will allow you to be more open and aware of a variety of views and perspectives on identity within a cultural context, and to develop and build your own resilience and adaptability.
Please consider working through the identity-related questions and topics with the aid of resources and support offered by the University. The Office of Global Inclusion is a great place to start. To learn more about the unique and site-specific opportunities and resources at NYU’s global locations, visit the Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity and Accessibility (IDBEA) page.
Students who make use of disability-related supports can study abroad. Accessibility and accommodations for students with disabilities vary from country to country. Many can be arranged on a case-by-case basis, especially if the need for accommodations is disclosed early in the study abroad planning process.
If your accommodation needs are related to housing or academics, please reach out to an Accessibility Specialist at the Moses Center for Student Accessibility prior to confirming their study abroad plans.
If your accommodation needs are related to other facets of the program (needing to store refrigerated medication, managing a non-food allergy, mobility challenges, etc.), email Steinhardt.Global@nyu.edu to schedule a meeting to discuss your needs and the available accommodations.
As you prepare for your time abroad, we encourage you to consider the following:
- Are you comfortable disclosing/discussing your physical or mental health access needs?
- What are the perceptions of people with disabilities and mental health conditions in the host culture?
- What challenges might you face during the entire study abroad process, and how can they be overcome?
- What resources and accommodations do you need for my course(s) and in your living space?
- Does the location and culture of the study abroad program that you are considering provide the resources and support that you need?
Racial and ethnic perceptions and experiences vary by culture and country. For some, studying abroad may be the first time a traveler finds themselves in the position of being in the minority or part of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. Others may experience the opposite and become a part of the majority group for the first time. As in the United States, students may encounter some prejudice and discrimination during their study abroad experience.
As you prepare for your time abroad, we encourage you to consider the following:
- Which ethnic and racial groups do you identify with and how are they perceived in your host country?
- What are the dominant racial and ethnic groups in your host country? Will you be in the majority or minority? How will this affect how I am treated?
- What is the history of the host country in regards to race and ethnicity? How does it currently affect the climate in the host country today?
- What strategies can I employ if I face microaggressions or offensive statements due to my race/ethnicity?
Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) can face unique challenges when traveling abroad. Attitudes and laws around LGBTQIA+ identities vary from country to country and may affect your experience abroad, including ease of travel, access to certain locations or sites, and safety.
It is strongly encouraged that students research any pertinent laws regarding LGBTQIA+ rights in your host country prior to travel. Be sure to review Campus Safety’s LGBTQ+ Travel Guidance and Resources page prior to travel.
As you prepare for your time abroad, we encourage you to consider the following:
- What are the past/current laws and cultural attitudes towards my identity in my host country?
- Is it safe to be out in the host country? What are my safety and health needs?
- What are my housing options? Will they meet my needs?
- How visible and large is the LGBTQIA+ community in my host country?
- Are there LGBTQIA+ resources and organizations in my host city?
Attitudes on gender roles differ from country to country and culture to culture and may have an impact on how you interact with the locals in your host country. Gender roles refer to the way members of a given gender are expected to act, speak, dress, and navigate with the social and cultural norms of a culture. It is important to research the laws, customs, societal norms, and gender dynamics of your destination. It is also important to observe social cues from the local people in your host country.
As you prepare for your time abroad, we encourage you to consider the following:
- Are there any safety concerns and/or issues related to my gender that I need to be aware of?
- What are the laws, customs, and societal norms of my gender in my host country?
- Do cultural dynamics favor and give a certain gender more privilege? How could that affect how I am perceived and treated abroad?
- What strategies can I employ if I face microaggressions or offensive statements due to my gender?
Depending on the country you are visiting, religious and spiritual practices can vary, so it is important to know about the religious and spiritual practices of your host country prior to travel. If the host country’s religion and spiritual beliefs are different from your own, it’s important to respect this aspect of the local culture and to keep an open mind.
As you prepare for your time abroad, we encourage you to consider the following:
- What are the dominant religions and/or spiritual practices in my host country?
- How do people in the host culture view other religions?
- Is my religion legal and practiced in my host country?
- Do I plan to practice my religion or spiritual practice in the host country? How might I practice it?
- Are there resources or organizations for my religion or spiritual practice in my host country?
Students have found the resources listed below to be helpful in their preparation for studying abroad:
U.S. Department of State – Travelers can find advice and information about a variety of unique situations, and enroll in the STEP program.
BeGlobalii – This site has articles on how to navigate managing mental health abroad, location-specific guides to culture and diversity, resources for LGBTQIA+ students, and more.
StudyAbroad.com – On this site, students can read guides on networking with colleagues abroad, safety tips for women, cultural guides for certain destinations, and more.
The Pluralism Project – Students can learn about different religions around the world, which is useful when researching the culture of your host country.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at steinhardt.global@nyu.edu.