Identity Resources

Issues of race vary depending on the student and the host country. Some students may be racial minorities at home but will be studying in a country where their race is the majority. Others may face becoming a racial minority for the first time. In many cases, students may find race is less salient than their nationality while abroad. Whatever the situation, it is important for students studying abroad to identify and reflect on their own experiences with racial issues and their own preconceived notions and expectations. Other cultures have very different ways of dealing with these issues, and students may encounter individuals who range from overly curious to completely disinterested in their racial backgrounds. Use your study abroad opportunity to examine the ways another culture navigates race and racial issues that may differ from those of your home country. The more aware and prepared you are about these issues in your host country before departure, the less likely you are to jump to negative conclusions in confusing situations. Use the following links to learn more about race and travel abroad:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies (LGBTQIA+) students should expect to face many of the challenges typical of their heterosexual peers. In fact, some study abroad advisors have noted that LGBTQIA+ students are better equipped to deal with common cultural barriers abroad because they may already be familiar with the role of "minority" or "outsider". Levels of tolerance, acceptance, and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals vary greatly from culture to culture. LGBTQIA+ students will find their experiences more successful if they prepare themselves by becoming educated on the legal and cultural issues facing LGBTQIA+ people in their host culture. Follow these links to educate yourself about LGBTQIA+ issues abroad:

All genders may experience a shift in the importance gender plays in their (perceived) identities while abroad.

Women comprise about 65% of U.S. students studying abroad today. Treatment and expectations of women vary greatly from culture to culture. Women may encounter restrictions in dress, behavior, and activities. While this may at first seem very limiting, there are also activities and behaviors in these cultures that are women-only. Though this kind of restriction can be frustrating at times, it is also a rare chance to learn about and understand the special roles of women in these cultures. To learn more about gender issues abroad, please follow these links: 

Spirituality and religion play an important role in many of our students' lives, and in the lives of the host community members. One of the most exciting and interesting things about experiencing another culture is developing a multi-dimensional understanding of religious traditions and beliefs that differ from our own. To have a successful experience, an open mind regarding religious pluralism and diversity is important for students studying abroad. 

Some other things to consider are: 

• What is the degree of religious tolerance in your host country? What is the dominant religion in your host country? Are all religions tolerated? 
• Will you be part of the religious majority or minority? 
• Is it safe to wear religious symbols and/or clothing? 
• How are atheists and agnostics perceived in the host country? 
• Are there laws regarding religion (e.g., proselytizing Christianity is banned under Chinese law)? 
• Is there separation of religion & the government? 

Begin expanding your own understanding of religions across cultures and how your beliefs fit with those of your host culture by exploring the links below: 

Going to your family’s ancestral country is a common reason for students to study abroad. Learning more about the culture, traditions, and information about your heritage can provide new insight on your family culture and may even give you a chance to learn more about the language of your ancestors. 

Heritage seekers should be prepared for the “familiar” and yet “unfamiliar” feeling upon interacting with the host country, as well as significant impacts on their cultural, ethnic, or religious identities. Students are encouraged to enter their host country with an open mind, to share their home-country culture, and connect with relatives and locals. 

While heritage seeking is an exciting journey, it can also be quite an emotional one. Consider the following questions and tips when planning your study abroad experience.  

Just like being the first in your family to study at a higher education institution, being the first in your family to study abroad can be an exhilarating, daunting, but incredibly rewarding experience!  

While traveling to a new culture and learning in a new setting may be similar to your first year at college, there may be additional challenges that come alongside amazing new opportunities. Speak with your family, friends, advisors, and professors about the benefits of studying abroad. Seek out resources and support prior to, during, and after your abroad experience to maximize your time in another country and when you return home. 

As the number of first-generation students seeking international experiences increases every year, we hope that Seattle U first-generation students find the opportunities and know that the Education Abroad Office is excited to work with you to assist in your success abroad and in the future! 

How can Seattle University Education Abroad Office (EAO) help you? 

• Your Education Abroad Advisor and your academic support network will provide holistic support and accompany you throughout the planning process. 
• Your Education Abroad Advisor can connect you with any additional resources. If they don't know, we can research it together! 
• In Education Abroad Advising, we support you in your discernment of finding a program that fits your academic, financial, and personal goals. 
• EAO provides detailed estimated cost comparison budget worksheets for SU Sponsored and SU Exchange programs and other financial planning tips and resources. 
• EAO can connect you with other first-generation students or with students who have participated in the program in the past. 

We encourage international students on the F-1 and J-1 Visa holders, who are already studying abroad in the United States, to study in other countries as part of their Redhawk experience! Many international students have found Short-Term Faculty-Led programs in particular to be enriching experiences to include in their Seattle University experience.  

International students must pay particular attention to their nationality and visa status as different countries have different requirements for different nationalities. Obtaining proper documentation prior to departing is essential. Make an appointment with your International Student Center Immigration Advisor to discuss if your U.S. student visa will be impacted. 

An education abroad is a very valuable experience to enhance one’s resume, outlook, and career, no matter the age. Adult students often face unique challenges related to your family, work, parenting, and home life obligations that may appear as obstacles to deter you from studying abroad. Participating in Short-Term Faculty Led programs may be a good option, but the Education Abroad Office helps support non-traditional students in semester- and year-long programs, as well. 

Common concerns among non-traditional students include the age difference from their fellow study abroad participants, isolation due to age, living situations, if other adults will be present, how children at home will fare, and how people abroad will view adult students. The Education Abroad Office can work with you and your host program to determine whether appropriate accommodations can be made. 

Students who utilize their VA benefits to attend Seattle University and would like to go abroad should start planning as soon as possible.  

Students on VA benefits may be eligible to using their GI Bill® benefits to help fund a summer, semester, or full-year study abroad experience. 

NOTE: While students on the GI Bill are able to study abroad, the VA's rules on usage of these VA Benefits can be restricting. By working with your Education Abroad Advisor and your VA Representative, we can find a program that best fits your academic, financial, and personal goals. 

Many students who transfer to Seattle University are able to incorporate an education abroad during their time at Seattle University! Contact the Education Abroad Office as soon as you start at Seattle University to see what type of program best fits your academic, financial, and personal goals. 

Here are some things to consider and questions to answer when selecting a program: 

• Will I graduate on time? What length of program can I fit into my academic plan? 
• What courses am I required to take at Seattle U? 
• Talk to your academic advisor to see which courses in your major degree requirements can be a course that you can take abroad. 
• Speak with your Education Abroad Advisor to see what programs are available that fit your academic, financial, and personal goals.  
• Do I want a program that offers practical experience (internship, research) in addition to regular courses? 
• What scholarships are available to support my education abroad? 

Adapted materials from University of Wisconsin-Madison 

Students with disabilities face unique challenges and growth opportunities in the study abroad experience. Students with disabilities may find themselves better equipped to deal with these challenges because of past experiences being part of an under-represented group. With proper planning and communication, this experience can be tremendously rewarding for the student and host community. Each culture differs in the way people perceive and accommodate levels of ability. For these reasons, it is important to do the following: 

• Disclose any disability to the study abroad program as early as possible in order to ensure that the program is right for you and that necessary arrangements can be made. 
• Anticipate differences in the way your host community may provide support. Your host culture may have different perceptions or may handle disability differently. Even if that culture approaches disability in the same way the US does, you may be studying with students from all over the world who will bring their culturally specific expectations with them. Prepare yourself by reading about your host culture and by talking to alumni of your program. Once you arrive in your host community, be flexible and keep an open mind about different kinds of support and accommodation. 
• Prepare yourself with the language skills to talk about your disability with those on your program and in your host country. 

*Adopted from University of Minnesota's Access Abroad.

Before you go abroad, there are several steps you can take to make sure your experience is as successful as possible. 

• Meet with your Primary Care Physician and/or mental health care provider to discuss whether now is an appropriate time to study abroad; talk about ways to plan for culture shock. Identify what kind of accommodations you may need and how you plan to get medication/treatment while abroad. Talk over methods for keeping in touch with your care provider if possible. Discuss an emergency plan in case of any crisis that could occur while abroad. 
• Talk to your support system that you have at home. Plan how you will be able to get in touch with friends and family while abroad. 
• Research cultural practices regarding physical and mental health in your host country. You may also wish to do this before you select your program. Just like in some places here in the United States, stigma may still exist around mental health and people may have different perspectives regarding mental health. It is important to look into how mental health is generally viewed in the host country and what types of care are available there. This is also a great topic to discuss with your Education Abroad Advisor if you feel comfortable doing so. 
• Research your host country in general to help prepare for the culture shock you may experience while abroad. 
• Disclose your needs to your Education Abroad Advisor, Program Provider, and/or Host University. They can tell you more information about opportunities for meeting others (host family, buddy program, other U.S. students, etc.) and also what kind of support or care options are available on your program. See more details below. 
• Review this website about medication and international travel, if applicable. Remember some medications that are legal in the U.S. are not legal in other countries and you may not be able to take them in country or have them sent to you. 
• Contact your insurance company to get enough of your medication for your entire time abroad. You should not plan on getting prescriptions filled while abroad or having the medication mailed to you. 
• Work with your Global Medical insurance provider, Program Provider, and/or Host University to find names of English-speaking physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, or counselors in your host country. 
• If you are currently registered with Disability Services and would like to continue to receive your classroom/testing accommodations, reach out to Disability Services prior to your departure to request an accommodation letter. The Program Provider/Host University will do their best to address your accommodations, but they may not be able to provide the same degree of accommodations as Seattle U. 

• Don’t isolate yourself. Explore your host city, don’t just stay in your housing. 
• Keep in touch with friends back home but also reach out to people in your host country. 
• Journal.  This can be good for tracking mood and if you’re experiencing culture shock or something more. If you will have access to a smart phone while abroad, there are also great mood tracker apps. 
• Recognize your limits and allow yourself to take time for self-care, even if it may take away from an excursion or activity. 
• Remember to eat and get enough sleep. Jetlag and exhaustion can impact mood. 
• If you choose to drink alcohol, be mindful of your use. Alcohol may affect you differently when in another place. 
• Expect to feel upset, nervous, frustrated at times and recognize ways to cope. You will face similar challenges abroad as you do here, so again — journaling to track how long these feelings last can be very useful. 
• Remember, culture shock is natural. Low points may not necessarily be your condition worsening or may not be related to your diagnosis at all. High points do not mean that you are “cured” and should stop any use of medication, if applicable.