Diversity
The Office of International Education encourages traditionally underrepresented students to study abroad. Below are links to various articles that define what challenges students may face and some resources for students to use in order to make their study abroad decision and experience a success. If you have any questions regarding your study abroad destination and how traditionally underrepresented students.
Racial and Ethnic Issues
Students of color and those from US minority racial backgrounds might experience certain foreign countries differently because of the host national's different attitude toward race and ethnicity. Some students feel freed by being away from the American context of race relations. Others may experience that they are seen as a curiosity. Still others may experience prejudice. Very few minority students, however, conclude that potential racial or ethnic problems are sufficient reason for not going. But be prepared to be received differently while you are abroad.
LGBTQA
We advise students to find out about the laws regarding LGBTQA in their country of destination and any other countries in which they plan to travel, as well as general attitudes of the native population regarding LGBTQA. Students may visit a country more or less "liberal" or "liberated" regarding different sexual and gender orientations, such as Spain, England or the Netherlands. That said, any one individual can hold other opinions, so keep this in mind.
For more information, you may want to consult publications on this topic. For a comprehensive list of resources, including travel guides, websites and other resources for LGBTQA students, visit indiana.edu.
Behind the Mask: a Web magazine devoted to lesbian and gay affairs in Africa. Learn More
Gay and Lesbian Arab Society: news and articles from the Gay and Lesbian Arab Society. Learn More
Gay and Lesbian Travel & Resource Guide: a city-by-city guide to resources and places of interest for both residents and travelers. Learn More
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission: A US-based non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), it works through advocacy, documentation, coalition building, public education, and technical assistance. Learn More
International Lesbian and Gay Association: a worldwide federation of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people everywhere; offers a country-by-country world survey of the legal position of LGBT people. (Keep in mind that not all countries offer a safe environment for openly gay people). Learn More.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators Rainbow Special Interest Group: extensive information for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered students interested in studying abroad including a list of related links and bibliography; if you only have time for one Website, visit this one. Learn More.
Useful Books & Articles
- Ford, Michael. The World Out There. Becoming Part of the Gay and Lesbian Community. 1996
- Miller, Neil. Out in the World: Gay and Lesbian Life from Buenos Aires to Bangkok. 1993
- Teilman, Rob (ed.) The Third Pink Book: A Global View of Lesbian and Gay Liberation and Oppression. 1993
- Van Gelder, Lindsay and Pamela Brandt. Are You Two...Together?: A Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide to Europe . New York: Random House, 1992.