LGBTQ+ Students
One of the greatest joys of studying abroad is to witness and experience the cultural, political, and economic structures that shape the social climate of a particular country or region that is different than your own. These experiences, while often positive, can also contribute to bouts of culture shock. For students who identify as LGBTQ+, researching and learning about the sociocultural norms and attitudes towards your sexual or gender identity can help prepare you ahead of time to help reduce certain negative impacts of culture shock. Below is a comprehensive collection of resources from the LGBTQ+ community to help you stay informed and prepare, as well as shed light on some personal experiences.
NAFSA’s Rainbow Special Interest Group (Rainbow SIG)
CET
CIEE
Many of our partner organizations operate student-run blogging programs! If you are interested in hearing from LGBTQ+ study/intern abroad alumni, the following blog posts may assist in addressing concerns and getting you excited for your own study abroad experience!
Arcadia
Travel Resources
NAFSA’s Rainbow Special Interest Group (Rainbow SIG)
- Scholarships, resources, and newsletters
- Includes a wide variety of news, blogs, and country-specific information for LGBTQ+ travelers
- United States Department of State - LGBTQI+ Traveler Information
- Transportation Security Association (TSA) - Information on screening for transgender passengers
- IGLTA is an association of tourism businesses that welcome the LGBTQ+ community
- Check out the hundreds of personal travel and business blogs from 80+ countries
- The Matador Network - Includes questions to ask yourself when preparing to travel abroad
- StudyAbroad.com - Includes a great beginning guide with questions to ask and information to seek when planning for study abroad
- GoOverseas.com - 9 major life lessons
- BeGlobalii Resources
Affiliate Resources and Scholarships
CET
CIEE
- Guide to sexual and gender expression abroad
Student Perspectives
Many of our partner organizations operate student-run blogging programs! If you are interested in hearing from LGBTQ+ study/intern abroad alumni, the following blog posts may assist in addressing concerns and getting you excited for your own study abroad experience!Arcadia
- Navigating LGTBQ+ Identity Abroad
- Student Insights on LGBTQ+ Life in New Zealand
- LGBTQ+ Leadership: My Journey into the Bright Future of Young LGBTQ+ People in the Workforce
- LGBT+ History Month: The rainbow in February’s grey skies
- Tips for LGBT Students Abroad – Insights from my Studies in Paris
- Out and About: The Different Experiences of LGBT+ Abroad