LGBTQ+ students

Plan with care, travel with confidence, and return with insight. Study Abroad office is committed to your journey abroad being safe & supportive as possible.

Experiences abroad vary widely by country, region, program type, language, race, gender expression, and local cultural norms. Some students find new freedom abroad; others encounter unfamiliar expectations or legal restrictions. Preparing ahead of time can help you make informed decisions and identify support systems before departure.

 

Before you go

Understand the landscape, prepare your documentation, and line up support. Use the sections below to tailor guidance to your identity and destination.

Know your rights

• Check sites like Equaldex and Human Dignity Trust to track legalities and discrimination profiles by country.

• Passport advice: note from the US State Department, Advocates for Trans Equality, and NAFSA

Social climate & cultural norms

Understand recent political developments, public attitudes, and everyday etiquette that may affect your experience.

• Cultural norms & etiquette — greetings, dress, public behavior, etc. Examples may include:
  • public displays of affection
  • gender presentations expectations
  • dating apps
  • social media visibility
  • varying attitudes between urban and rural areas
  • legal protections vs social acceptance
• Risk overview — View country overview profiles from Outright International
• Intersectionality & expressing identity abroad – consider how multiple aspects of identity may be perceived, and plan for comfort and safety. Students may experience their host environment differently depending on multiple aspects of their identity, including race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Researching both legal protections and local cultural norms can help students prepare for a range of experiences abroad.

Health, physical safety & digital safety

Safeguard your physical and digital wellbeing before departure.

• Husky Health Center: The Husky Health Travel Medicine team will help you develop an individualized plan based on your needs and your destinations.
• Digital safety
  • social media footprint and boundaries
• Local emergency numbers and embassy registration
• Medication, medical restrictions & access
  • Research medication legality and refill access
  • Carry prescriptions in original packaging
  • Bring copies of prescriptions using generic names
  • Confirm transportation and storage requirements
• Disclosure & privacy choices
  • Decide what to share with program staff, housing, peers, and hosts to support accommodations and safety.
  • What disclosure enables (housing placement, classroom accommodations).

 

While Abroad

Stay engaged and use local and university support as needed.

Finding support and connection

• Set learning goals (academic, cultural, wellbeing, recreational) and revisit monthly
• Join student societies and community groups aligned with your interests or identity
• Keep a simple reflection log; note wins, challenges, and support used
• Spend time in public community spaces, such as parks, libraries, or cafés, to vary your environment and create routine.

Emergency resources

• Local emergency number
• Local non-emergency number
• Nearest hospital or clinic and 24-hour pharmacy
• American embassy/consulate contact and after-hours line

Mental health resources

Going abroad, there are often experiences of isolation, identity fatigue, stress from concealment, and culture shock around gender/sexuality norms. There are supports available to you whenever you need.

• UW Counseling Center
• International SOS number: +1 215 942 8226
• Crisis line in destination

 

Additional Resources