DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & STUDY ABROAD
Negotiating one’s own personal identity in a foreign environment can be challenging. The degree to which individuals experience these challenges depends on a host of variables that span the personal, social, and cultural spheres.
Wesleyan’s Office of Study Abroad places the highest priority on inclusion. We are committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their personal identity, reap the benefits of cross-cultural learning, and we are delighted by the success that students from diverse backgrounds have had over time. We are also mindful of the potential for harassment or discrimination to occur beyond our jurisdiction, and we especially aware that the impact of such an experience is conditioned by one's command of the target language and by the level of one’s familiarity with local customs, laws, and resources.
Our aim in addressing this issue here is to raise the consciousness of our entire community regarding this potential. We firmly believe that cases of harassment and discrimination affect the entire community, not just the individual, and that addressing this problem must be the responsibility of the cohort: at the study abroad site or on campus.
We would therefore like to offers some guidelines regarding cultural immersion that all students should keep in mind at all times but especially in cases of harassment or discrimination:
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- Call us, write to us. We care about you and will be eager to monitor your progress while abroad. Check in with us from time to time, via email or Skype.
- Talk to your program staff. Your program staff abroad is the front line for all concerns, whether personal or academic. It is crucial that you stay in regular contact with them and seek their assistance when needed.
- Build a strong cohort. Never underestimate the value of processing your experience abroad with your peers. Not only can they be supportive, they are often the source of unique and unanticipated insights.
- Speak candidly. The most effective tool for combating discriminatory habits, either of mind or behavior, is to discuss them candidly, in an open forum and in private counseling. The Office of Study Abroad launches this discussion pre-departure and expects that such conversations will continue abroad.
We include below a series of web sites that may be of value to those planning to study abroad. We strongly urge you to prepare yourself, in terms of the challenges and rewards, by reading the relevant pages. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any specific questions or concerns.
Wesleyan Resources:
- The Wesleyan Office of Equity & Inclusion: Providing research, education, and services regarding equity and inclusion
- The Resource Center: Serves to support, empower, and engage students with marginalized or underrepresented identities through collaboration, coalition building, and resource sharing
- Wesleyan Identity Networks of Support: Identity networks/groups and resources
Specific Resources:
- Differently-Abled Students
Did you know?
- Students with documented learning, physical, sensory, health, or psychiatric disabilities are able to request reasonable accommodations through Wesleyan Accessibility Services to ensure access to education, housing, meal, and co-curricular activities during their time abroad. These requests should be made prior to the student’s departure.
- In 2013-2014, 5.7% of students studying abroad reported a disability. This number is growing every year and more and more differently-abled students realize that going abroad is fully within their potential.
- Studying abroad will allow you to fight stereotypes by educating others, while dispelling your own stereotypes
Resources
- Explore this article from Go Overseas with student accounts of navigating the process of going abroad
- Check out this video on studying abroad with learning disabilities
- Most Accessible Study Abroad Destinations for Students with Disabilities
- MIUSA: Mobility International USA: MIUSA's mission is to empower people with disabilities to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development.
- Abroad With Disabilities: AWD works diligently to empower anyone to pursue study, work, volunteer, and/or internship opportunities outside of the United States by creating dialogue, sharing resources, and spreading awareness.
- 15 Ways to Feel Emotionally Ready
- Diversity Abroad: Students with Disabilities
- Diversity Issues in Study Abroad (Brown University): A collection of quotes addressing diversity in ethnicity, heritage, sexual orientation, religion, minority/majority issues, physical appearance, and language
- First Generation College Students
Did you know?
- While abroad you will continue to receive your Wesleyan financial aid.
- Programs can help you fulfill your gen ed expectations and academic requirements for almost any major or program.
- You can apply for scholarships that will ultimately reduce the amount of money you owe back for financial aid.
Resources
- Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales from First Generation Students Abroad (A Guidebook)
- Explore UNPACKED A Study Abroad Guide for Students Like Me and get insight from first generation college students abroad
- Diversity Abroad: The First in My Family to Study Abroad-Perspectives from Three First-Generation College Students
- I'm First: An online community for first-generation college students—and their supporters
- LGBT*QIA
Did you know?
- Laws pertaining to sexual orientation, sexual contact, gender expression, cultural attitudes, and understanding of gender identity vary widely from country to country. It is also important to remember that differences in personal attitudes will exist where ever you go.
- The resources below can help you research more about laws, cultural norms, and other necessary considerations. See our pre-approved programs list to find more about programs in specific countries.
- Some programs make it possible to request LGBT*QIA-friendly host families or living spaces
Resources
- Examine this comprehensive guidebook, as it lists resources, best practices and other considerations for LGBT*QIA students abroad
- Orientation for GLBT Students Studying Abroad (University of Minnesota)
- ilga.org - International lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association: Interactive map on their website allows you to check relevent legislation in any region of the world.
- Check out this Pew Research Center report on global attitudes and societal acceptance toward homosexuality.
- OutTraveler.com: A website for GLBTQI travelers
- GoAbroad.com: An LGBT Guide to Study Abroad
- 9 Major Life Lessons I Learned Studying Abroad as LGBT
- OutRight Action International: LGBTIQ advocacy working internationally
- Diversity Issues in Study Abroad (Brown University): A collection of quotes addressing diversity in ethnicity, heritage, sexual orientation, religion, minority/majority issues, physical appearance, and language
- US Passports: Gender Reassignement Applicants
- Non-Traditional Students
Did you know?
- There are no age limits to study abroad
- Many adults in their 30's, 40's and 50's study abroad to increase their language or cultural competencies.
- Programs may be able to help you arrange accommodations for dependents
Resources
- Race/Ethnicity
Preparing
- Cultural norms and the way ethnic identities are defined and understood vary widely from country to country. While in the US your identity may be defined by your race/ethnicity, in other countries you may be primarily identified as US-American.
- Research to gain an understanding of the cultural context of the place in which you hope to study abroad.
- Identify support networks ahead of time by talking to students or faculty who have lived or studied abroad in your potential host country.
Resources
- Online Orientation for Students of Color Studying Abroad (University of Minnesota)
- All Abroad: Resources broken down by ethnicity and advice from mentors
- Race Abroad: A Glimpse publication that addresses common considerations for and concerns of US students of color studying abroad featuring short articles written by multicultural students who have studied abroad.
- Black and Abroad: Black & Abroad is a cultural collective dedicated to redefining world experiences for the modern black traveler.
- Diversity Issues in Study Abroad (Brown University): A collection of quotes addressing diversity in ethnicity, heritage, sexual orientation, religion, minority/majority issues, physical appearance, and language
- Advice for Black people and ethnic minorities on a year abroad
- Top 10 Reasons for African American Students to Go Abroad
- Scholarships for Students of Color: A comprehensive list of scholarships available to students of color considering study abroad.
On Being an Effective Ally:
- Allies and Microagressions: How to respond to microagressions
- Learning to be an Ally for People from Diverse Groups and Backgrounds