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Study Abroad

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ+) Students Abroad

As an opportunity to expand academic knowledge and develop cultural awareness, study abroad also presents students who identify as LGBTQ+ with exciting possibilities to explore other cultures and conceptualizations on identities around sexual orientation and gender expression. In preparing to study abroad, it is important to think about how your sexual orientation and gender expression may be salient to your experiences abroad. While you are preparing to study abroad, we are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point. As always, your Global Learning Advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

Questions to Ask Yourself and/or Your Study Abroad Advisor

  • Do I know someone who identifies with the LBGTQ+ community who studied abroad before or visited my location?
  • How important is it to me to find other LGBTQ+ students or friends while studying abroad, and how prepared am I to create these relationships? 
  • Will I be able to maintain these relationships upon my return to the US? 
  • Are there local LGBTQ+ organization in the country? 
  • Are there open LGBTQ+ communities in the country? Or at the local university? 
  • If a sense of LGBTQ+ community is important to me, how will I manage the potential difficulties of not finding one while abroad?
  • What resources do I currently have and/or use at the University of Maryland?
  • What documents indicating a gender/sex marker will I need for traveling and studying abroad? Would it be useful to change the gender/sex marker on any of those documents before traveling? For U.S. passports, the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs facilitates this process using a Form DS-11 to change your gender marker. Note that this form requires assembling additional information and will take time to complete.
  • Are there resources available for LGBTQ+ people or LGBTQ-friendly centers in the host country?
  • Does my study abroad program offer LGBTQ-friendly housing? 
  • Does my study abroad program offer gender neutral housing facilities i.e. bathrooms and dormitories?
  • Does my study abroad program discuss LGBTQ+ considerations during orientation?
  • What resources are available to me upon my return to campus?
  • If I am open about my sexual orientation and/or gender identity at UMD, will that change at all when I am abroad? 
  • If I choose to come out while abroad, how will this affect me and my relationships with friends and family upon my return?
  • How open will I be about my sexual orientation, gender expression and personal pronouns with my teachers, peers, friends, host family, and others? 
  • Are there situations in which I would not disclose my sexual orientation or gender identity? 
  • If I choose to conceal my sexual orientation or gender identity while abroad, what impact will this have on me upon my return?
  • Do I know someone who has been to the location in question who can speak to how local people interact with other locals, and how they interact with visitors from other countries?
  • What are the cultural and local attitudes toward sexual orientation and gender identity in my host country? 
  • What do cultural expressions of gender and sexuality look like in the host country?
  • What do gender relations look like in the host country? 
  • What are the behavioral norms within the local LGBTQ+ community?
  • What are my safety needs, and how can they best be met? Is the program able to make accommodations for students who request single rooms, private baths, or certain roommates? 
  • Will I need access to any medications, supplies, or services to properly care for my medical needs, including those related to physical transition, like hormones?  Are they available in my host country?  If not, will I need any additional documentation to travel with any medications or supplies?  Will it be possible to travel legally with these supplies?

Concerning legality and enforcement, the U.S. Department of State LGBTQI+ Travel Information provides general information about travel advice for LGBTQ+ individuals. 

  • Are there any restrictions on freedom of association or expression for LGBTQ+ people? 
  • What are the laws regarding identity and travel documentation?
  • Are there hate crime laws in place that provide certain protections for LGBTQ+ minorities?
  • What is the legality of same-sex sexual behavior? 
  • What is the age of consent for sexual behavior? Does it differ for heterosexual versus same-sex couples?
  • What are the local attitudes toward transgender individuals in the host culture?
  • What are the laws regarding gender identity and travel documentation?
  • What are my safety needs and perceptions, and how can they best be met? 
  • Will I need access to any medications, supplies, or services to properly care for my medical needs, including those related to physical transition, like hormones?  Are they available in my host country?  If not, will I need any additional documentation to travel with any medications or supplies?  Will it be possible to travel legally with these supplies? 
  • If I am currently utilizing insurance for any health services, including those related to physical transition, what does insurance coverage look like while I am abroad?

For other LGBT terps I highly recommend going to a country with a positive view on queerness...but the best advice I can give is to have fun and be yourself, make friends who share your views and stay safe! It is an experience of a lifetime, being able to see things you never thought you would and go places you never thought you could. My only regret is that I couldn't stay longer.

Student poses in front of a castle in Denmark. There is snow on the ground and they wear a winter coat.
Logan G. ENGR Exchange: Technical University of Denmark (DTU) | Computer Engineering Major Logan's story

Resources

The University of Maryland led the list of 2023’s top colleges in the nation for LGBTQ+ students by Campus Pride and BestColleges! ​We hope to be a supportive resource as you explore your identity during your study abroad journey.

  • Talk to your Education Abroad Advisor. Many EA staff have participated in the Equity Center’s Rainbow Terrapin Training and are equipped to speak with you about LGBTQ+ matters.
  • Guide to Resources for LGBTQ+ Students on UMD-Sponsored Programs: This matrix is a guide to resources provided by our exchange partners for students who identify as LGBTQ+. The matrix is not a comprehensive list of all existing resources, but it is a starting point in your research. Contact your Education Abroad Advisor to learn more about these and other resources at the host institution.
  • Work with the UMD Counseling Center for identity-based support from counseling professionals with extensive experience. The Center offers a drop in hour specifically for LGBTQ+ students regularly.
  • UMD’s Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy (MICA) provides many services for LBGTQ+ students on campus, including personal advising.
  • Visit the UMD LGBT Equity Center
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