Identities Abroad

The Office of Study Abroad is dedicated to equipping all students with the skills to adapt and flourish in their new environments. Importantly, our office ensures that its programs are safe and accessible to participants of all abilities, genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, nationalities, and religions.

These pages offer resources to guide you through the process of exploring your study abroad options, helping you envision what your study abroad experience might be like.

Our office is here to help everyone, no matter their background, throughout their learning experiences.

First Generation College Students Abroad 

While being a first-generation student presents its own set of challenges, you could be not only the first in your family to attend college, but also the first in your family to travel or live abroad. You might be especially concerned about how much it will cost to study abroad. Luckily, you don’t have to go through it alone! In preparing for study abroad, here are a few tips and resources to help you successfully navigate the process and costs involved so that you take full advantage of this opportunity to learn and grow: 

Tips 

  • Know why you want to study abroad and how it will positively impact your academic experience and career goals.
  • Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss how education abroad can fit in with your degree plan.  
  • Plan for your expenses. The earlier you begin to plan how to finance your program, the better! Different programs have different costs, so it is important that you (the student) understand all associated costs. If you receive financial aid, contact the Student Financial Aid Department to learn more about how your aid can be applied to your study abroad. 
  • Before you depart, work with your family to establish a communication plan and a regular method of communication. Figure out what works best—text messaging, FaceTime, email—and then figure out the best times to communicate once you are in different time zones. 

Resources 

  • BeGlobalii: BeGlobalii provides resources and tools for underrepresented backgrounds to participate in a study abroad program, with information specific to first-generation students. 
  • I’m first!: A great resource with information, videos, and blogs from other first-generation students that have studied abroad. 

Scholarships 

  • Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. 
  • IIE (Institute of International Education): IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants will be made available for U.S. students from a broad range of backgrounds to make it possible for them to participate in academic, internship or service-learning experiences abroad. 
  • Fund for Education Abroad: FEA (Fund for Education Abroad) invests in students with financial need from underrepresented background who wish to study abroad. 

Race, Ethnicity and Nationality Abroad 

While studying abroad you may be identified by your race or ethnicity, or simply as an American student. Some may be interested to learn more about your culture or ethnicity, but there may be others whose behavior toward you might make you uncomfortable. You may be stared at, touched, or asked invasive questions about your cultural heritage, physical features, or nationality. It will not always be fun, but it can present a learning opportunity that will benefit you in the future. If somebody says or does something that is offensive to you, try to distinguish between a person who is genuinely curious about you and your culture and someone who has bad intentions. Research the country and the city or town where you plan to study abroad so that you can find out how the locals view race and ethnicity. 

Tips 

  • Investigate how your racial identity is perceived in your host country, as well as their history of immigration. 
  • Try to distinguish between someone curious about you and someone acting maliciously if something they say or do offends you. 
  • Remember that cultural norms are different in your host country so they may be less politically correct than people in the U.S. You can use these moments as teaching moments if you wish. 
  • Talk to other students that share your racial identity about their experiences abroad – especially if they studied in the same country. 
  • Don't expect racism or discrimination when traveling abroad but be aware that you could encounter situations of the sort. 

Resources 

  • Office of Inclusive Excellence: In collaboration with the university’s faculty, staff, and students, the Office of Inclusive Excellence facilitates an inclusive living, learning, and working environment that values and supports all students.  ​​​​​​
  • BeGlobalii: BeGlobalii provides resources and tools for underrepresented backgrounds to participate in a study abroad program, with information specific to first-generation students. 
  • The Center for Global Education’s PLATO Project - offers links to organizations, resources, and scholarships that support academic advancement for underrepresented groups 

Scholarships 

  • DIWC Scholarship: DWIC Study Abroad Scholarship is intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad. DIWC will award $500 scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to an In-Person Study Abroad Program. 
  • Affiliate Provider Scholarships: Many affiliates give scholarships for being a apart of an underrepresented identity. If you are traveling abroad with one of our affiliates, be sure to visit their website for further details. 

Gender and Sexual Orientation Abroad 

Countries and cultures view gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in many ways. In some countries, LGBTQ+ individuals are protected and have equal rights in their society. There are other places where openly claiming to be apart of the LGBTQ+ community is punishable by law, or there may be no laws to protect an individual from gender- or sexuality-based hate crimes. While studying abroad can be challenging, the experience can help you learn more about yourself and your identity within a new cultural context. There are many resources to support you at MSU and abroad! Regardless of where you go, it is important to be alert and try to avoid potentially unsafe environments. 

Tips 

  • Learn about the laws of the host country. 
  • Learn about the general attitude towards LGBTQ+ individuals in the host country. 
  • Safety should be your priority. 
  • Look for restrictions on freedom of expression and cultural climate. 
  • Explore LGBTQ+ travel guides, talk with alumni students and research any other resources that provide information about the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in your host country. 

Resources 

Scholarships 

  • Rainbow Scholarship: This scholarship is available to deserving students who identify as LGBTQ+ attending a study abroad program of any length. All U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. institution of higher education are eligible to apply. 
  • ISA Scholarships: This scholarship is for students studying abroad through an ISA program who are apart of an underrepresented identity. 
  • API (Academic Programs International) Scholarships: This scholarship is for students going on an API program who are apart of an underrepresented identity.