Study Abroad Resources
Health & Safety
Follow steps and guidelines to ensure you are safe and healthy when traveling abroad.
Policies
In order to make the study abroad experience as safe and successful as possible, UND maintains certain policies to which students enrolling in study abroad programs are bound.
Parent & Guardians
Your student is interested in studying abroad - so what happens next? UND Study Abroad supports students during the entire process of studying abroad. We help students find the right program for their major with assistance from their academic advisor, make sure they are taken care of while abroad, and help ease the transition back to UND when they return.
- Study Abroad Cost & Aid
- Traveling Abroad Tips
- Department of State Parent Resources
- A Parent Guide to Study Abroad
- Go Overseas has a resource for parents: "A Practical Parent's Guide to Study Abroad"
- StudyAbroad.com publishes tips for navigating questions about studying abroad
If you are a parent or guardian of a student who plans to study abroad and want to know more about the process, please watch the video below to see what steps your student will take before they make their trip to their international destination.
Identity Abroad Resources
- Things First Gen Students Should Be Prepared For and Steps You Can Take
- How to figure out study abroad as a first-gen college student
- Yes you can!
- Blogs from first-gen study abroad participants
As a specific example from Barcelona SAE, here are some things to consider before heading to Barcelona:
- Do Your Research: Do as much research as possible. The Spain Destination Guide and various Expert Guides on the Diversity Abroad website are a great resource where you can start learning about opportunities, best practices, and better understand what your experience abroad may be like.
- Find Support: Making the decision to go abroad, especially if no one you know before you has done it, can be daunting. Your family and friends may not understand your motivations, or may even think it’s a “vacation.” It’s important to find people in your life who support your decision to go abroad.
Attitudes and views towards women can vary greatly between countries. We encourage you to do research on countries you are interested in studying in. The following is a list of resources to assist you in your research and preparation:
Davidson College
"Cultures support, constrain, value or devalue public expressions of our sexual and gender identities variously, according to social norms, traditions, and values. That is to say, there is not global agreement about how much or how little sexual orientations matter, no universal standards for how freely one can express non-heteronormative identities in public, and no agreement across cultures about the human rights associated with sexual life."
- Davidson College LGBTQ Resources
UC Davis
UC Davis is currently creating an interactive map as a resource for LGBTQ students. While they have started with 20 countries, more will be updated in the future.
UND Pride Center
The UND Pride Center is another great resource available for students.
Barcelona SAE
As referenced by Barcelona SAE, here are some things to check about your host country:
- What are the social attitudes towards being LGBTQ+ in my host country?
- Are there resources for LGBTQ+ students in my host country or at my place of study?
- Are there any LGBTQ+ groups or LGBTQ+ friendly establishments in my area?
- Are sexual orientation and gender identity openly discussed and accepted, or more taboo in my host country?
- Will I be staying with a host family or roommates who will be accepting of me if I choose to come out?
- Are there safety and legal issues for LGBTQ+ individuals in this area?
Additional Resources
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
- Know Your Rights / Airport Security
- US Department of State - LGBT Travel Information - Before You Go
- Passport Gender Change Policy
- The Global Divide on Homosexuality
- GoAbroad LGBT Student Guide to Studying Abroad
- 30+ Essential Resources for the Modern LGBT Traveler
- IFSA-Butler blog
- 9 Major Life Lessons I Learned Studying Abroad as an LGBT
"Religion plays a role in many cultures around the world. When you go abroad, you may be exposed to different belief systems, which gives you an opportunity to learn more about your host country’s culture."
- Diversity Abroad
Diversity Abroad's Religious Diversity Abroad page has great information and resources to research religious freedoms and views abroad.
The International Religious Freedom Report describes the status of religious freedom in every country.
As referenced by Barcelona SAE, here are some things to check about your host country:
- What is the dominant religion in my host country?
- Will I be part of the religious majority or minority abroad?
- Are there any laws regarding religion? Is there a separation between religion and government?
- How tolerant is the host country of other religions? What about atheists and agnostics?
- Is it safe for me to wear religious symbols or clothing?
- What are ways I can respect the religion in my host country and participate in cultural events, even if I don’t practice that religion?
Students of color have been historically underrepresented when it comes to studying abroad. However, the numbers of underrepresented students continue to rise. The following is a list of resources to assist you in your preparations for going abroad:
- African American Students (All Abroad)
- Black Life China
- Asian/Pacific Islander Students (All Abroad)
- Hispanic/Latin American Students (All Abroad)
- Native American Students (All Abroad)
- On She Goes - Travel Stories for All Women of Color
- Racial & Ethnic Minority Students Abroad
- Diversity Abroad Pre-Departure Video
- Diversity Abroad Stories
- All Abroad Video Testimonials
As referenced by Barcelona SAE, as a racially and/or ethnically diverse student, here are some questions to consider:
- How is my ethnic group perceived in my host country? What kind of stereotypes are there?
- How should I react if I find something to be offensive?
- Is the person curious or do they have bad intentions?
- Has my host family housed minority students before? If not, will this be an issue for them?
- Am I used to being part of the majority at home but will be a minority abroad? Or vice versa?
- Will there be other minority students in my program?
- Who will I contact if I do face racial or discriminatory incidents?
- Does my program have support staff that will understand and help me through any racial or discriminatory incident I may face?
"The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments of 2008, section 4, defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of an individual. In addition to defining it, this legislation also ensures that people with disabilities can equally embark on their educational and professional endeavors. Whether you have a physical, learning, or emotional disability, the Study Abroad Office is very supportive of your desire to participate in an overseas program. Below are some factors for you to consider as you explore your options."
-Davidson College
Davidson College's Students with Disabilities page provides great information regarding choosing a program, disclosure and communication, and cultural differences and flexibility.
The following are additional organizations and websites that provide information and resources to students with disabilities looking at going abroad.
- Mobility International
- Ripple Effects (Mobility International)
- US Department of State
- Disabilities in Exchange Programs
- Center for Disease Control - Travelers with Disabilities
- Abroad with Disabilities
- Study in UK
As referenced by Barcelona SAE, here are some tips for students with disabilities going abroad:
- Disclose your needs to your Barcelona SAE Advisor. This way, we can make reasonable arrangements and accommodations on your behalf.
- Be flexible, although this is true for all study abroad students. Keep in mind that other cultures may provide access in different ways. We recommend you learn about what types of accommodation are typically provided in your host country, and be flexible and open to different ways of accommodating your disability.
- Learn as much as you can about your host culture and how disability is viewed. Do some research online, talk with other students, and attend all pre-departure sessions to learn how disabilities are viewed in your host culture. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for the interaction between your disability and the new environment.
- Be prepared to be asked questions about your disability. While Barcelona is an international city where many languages are spoken,you going to a non-English speaking destination, so look up key vocabulary in Spanish ahead of time and think about your responses in advance.
- Keep in mind financial considerations. We will make every effort ensure that students with disabilities have access to all Barcelona SAE services, including academic support, housing, orientation programs, and cultural activities and excursions. In some situations, additional expenses may be incurred and passed along to the student.
Opportunities to study abroad are available to students starting or continuing their education after serving in the military. Here are some resources to keep in mind as you explore your options: