Skip To Content Skip To Menu Skip To Footer

Global Study and Engagement

View Menu
+ Share

Student Identities Abroad

LGBTQ+ Students

Studying abroad can provide opportunities to explore new perspectives on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Depending on your destination, cultural norms, social attitudes, and legal protections may be similar to, different from, or more restrictive than those in the United States or your home country.

As you prepare to study abroad, consider how your identities may shape your experience. It is also important to remember that laws, policies, and social attitudes related to LGBTQ+ identities can change over time. Political and social developments in both the United States and your host country may affect travel, documentation, healthcare access, legal protections, and daily life.

Every student's experience is unique. Some students find affirming communities and increased freedom to express themselves abroad, while others may navigate their identities differently depending on the local context. This page is intended as a starting point for reflection and research. Your Education Abroad Advisor is available to discuss questions, concerns, and resources as you prepare for your experience.

Questions to Ask Yourself and/or Your Education Abroad Advisor

Sense of Community

If connecting with LGBTQ+ community is important to you, consider researching local organizations, student groups, and community resources before selecting a program. Talking with LGBTQ+ students who have previously studied or traveled in your destination can also provide helpful perspectives.

  • How important is it for me to find LGBTQ+ community while abroad?
  • Are there LGBTQ+ organizations, student groups, or community spaces in my host country or university?
  • How will I maintain important support networks while I am abroad?
  • How will I navigate my experience if LGBTQ+ community is less visible or accessible than I expect?

Availability of Resources

Consider the resources and support systems you currently use at Dickinson and whether similar services may be available abroad.

  • What LGBTQ+ resources and support services are available in my host country?
  • Will I have access to the resources I currently use at Dickinson?
  • What housing options are available, and how can I communicate my needs or concerns?
  • What support resources will be available when I return to campus?

Coming Out

Coming out is a personal process that looks different for everyone. Some students remain open about their identities while abroad, while others choose to share aspects of their identity more selectively based on their comfort, safety, or cultural context. For some, study abroad becomes a time to further explore identity and self-expression; for others, it reinforces identities and relationships they already hold.

  • How open do I want to be about my sexual orientation and/or gender identity while abroad?
  • Are there situations where I may choose not to disclose aspects of my identity?
  • If I come out while abroad, how could that affect my relationships at home and abroad?
  • What support resources can I access if I need them?

Local Attitudes

Attitudes toward sexual orientation and gender identity can vary widely by country, region, city, university, generation, and community. Researching your destination and hearing from people with firsthand experience can help you better understand the local context.

  • What are the cultural and social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals in my host country and host community?
  • What do local understandings of gender and sexuality look like?
  • What are the norms and experiences within local LGBTQ+ communities?
  • Do attitudes vary between the university setting and the broader community?

Personal Health & Safety

  • What are my safety needs, and how can they best be met?
  • What mental health and healthcare resources are available?
  • Will I need access to medications, gender-affirming care, or other specialized services?
  • Are there legal or documentation requirements related to my healthcare needs?

Legality and Public Policy

Laws, policies, and protections related to LGBTQ+ identities vary around the world and can change over time. Changes in government leadership, legislation, court decisions, or public policy in both the United States and your host country may affect identity documentation, healthcare access, legal protections, and freedom of expression.

Students should review current information from their host country, program provider, embassy or consulate, and the U.S. Department of State before departure and throughout their time abroad.

  • What legal protections or restrictions exist for LGBTQ+ individuals?
  • How are LGBTQ+ laws and policies enforced in practice?
  • Are there any recent political or legal developments that could affect my experience?
  • How might changes in U.S. or host-country policies impact travel, healthcare, safety, or documentation?

Transgender Identity

  • What are local attitudes and laws affecting transgender individuals?
  • What are my safety needs, and how can they best be met?
  • Will I need access to medications, supplies, or healthcare related to my transition?
  • What documentation, insurance, or travel considerations should I plan for?

Non-Binary Identity

  • How are non-binary identities and gender-neutral pronouns understood in my host country?
  • How might a gendered language affect my experience?
  • What are local laws or policies related to non-binary individuals?
  • What are my safety and support needs while abroad?

Additional Considerations Regarding Gender Markers and Official Documentation

Requirements related to passports, visas, names, gender markers, and identity documentation vary by country and may change over time. Students should review current guidance from the issuing authority of their passport and the embassy or consulate of their host country before making travel plans.

If your gender identity, gender expression, chosen name, or gender marker does not align with your legal documentation, discuss any concerns with your Education Abroad Advisor and program provider well before departure.

  • Does my host country recognize my gender identity and/or gender marker?
  • Will my passport, visa, and other documents align with one another?
  • What challenges could arise if my documents contain different names or gender markers?
  • Have there been recent policy changes that could affect documentation, travel, healthcare access, or legal status?

Tips

There is no one way to be an LGBTQ+ student abroad. Every student's experience is unique, and what feels right for one person may not feel right for another.

Research early and often. Laws, policies, and social attitudes can vary significantly by location and may change over time. Stay informed about developments in both your host country and the United States that could affect your experience.

Reflect on what feels right for you. Some students are open about their identities throughout their experience, while others choose different approaches depending on the context. Your comfort and safety should guide your decisions.

Build community in ways that work for you. If connecting with other LGBTQ+ individuals is important to you, explore local organizations, student groups, community spaces, and online networks before departure.

Know where to find support. Familiarize yourself with program resources, campus resources, local organizations, and trusted contacts before you leave.

Plan for healthcare needs in advance. If you rely on medications, gender-affirming care, mental health support, or other specialized services, research availability, legal considerations, and insurance coverage well before departure.

Remain open to growth and change. For some students, studying abroad strengthens existing identities and communities. For others, it becomes a time to explore new perspectives on identity, belonging, and self-expression.

Remember that your identities are multifaceted. Sexual orientation and gender identity are only part of who you are. Nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, language, socioeconomic background, disability status, and other identities may also shape your experience abroad.

On-Campus Resources

General Resources

General Study Abroad & LGBTQ+ Identity Resources

 

Student Stories & Perspectives

Scholarships & Funding

Transgender & Non-Binary Resources

Country Information, Rights & Legal Resources