Identity & Student Experiences Abroad
Your Identity Abroad
Your identity, including race, gender, religion, nationality, ability, and background, shapes your experience abroad.
How you identify in the U.S. may not be how you are perceived abroad. We encourage students to reflect on their identities and research how cultural norms may differ.
Student Communities & Resources
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If you are the first in your family to attend college, you may also be the first to study abroad.
You might consider:
- How to explain study abroad to family members.
- How to involve them in your decision.
- How to stay connected while abroad.
- How this experience fits into your long-term goals.
Our advisors can help you navigate conversations, funding options, and expectations so you feel confident moving forward.
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The Education Abroad office has sent students of all kinds abroad to study, including actively serving students, and we have also in the past sent veteran students on our education abroad programs.
Many veterans are still able to use the benefits provided to them to aid in funding their education abroad opportunity. For more information and resources, refer to the Wright Center for Non-Traditional and Veteran Students. The Universities of Wisconsin website also provides an overview for information regarding all varieties of questions, including the GI Bill and benefits.
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Some students choose a program in a country connected to their ancestry.
This can be deeply meaningful and sometimes emotional.
You may:
- Feel more connected to your heritage.
- Be seen primarily as American.
- Experience unexpected reactions from local communities.
It’s important to approach the experience with openness and realistic expectations. Advisors can help you think through how to balance academic goals with personal exploration.
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Laws and social attitudes related to sexual orientation and gender identity vary widely by country.
Before selecting a program, research:
- Legal protections and restrictions.
- Cultural norms and visibility.
- Access to healthcare and medications.
- Available support networks.
Consider:
- How open you want to be about your identity abroad.
- Whether local LGBTQ+ communities are accessible.
- What environments feel affirming to you.
Your safety and comfort matter. Advisors and campus partners, including the Patricia A. Doyle Center for Gender and Sexuality, can help you assess options.
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Students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to study abroad. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that ideas about race, nationality, and identity vary widely around the world.
You may experience:
- Curiosity or direct questions about your background
- Being perceived primarily as “American”
- Stereotypes shaped by media or limited exposure
- Cultural differences in how people talk about race
- In some cases, bias or discrimination
In some cultures, people may ask personal questions or make comments that feel blunt or insensitive by U.S. standards. While curiosity is often not intended to harm, it’s important to prepare for different social norms.
Researching your host country’s history, relationship with the United States, and conversations around race can help you feel more prepared.
Consider:
- How are Americans generally perceived in this country?
- How might my racial or ethnic identity be understood there?
- What is the historical relationship between this country and communities like mine?
- What have other students of color experienced in this location?
- If I encounter discrimination, who can I contact for support?
Your program staff and UW-Platteville Education Abroad advisors are available to discuss concerns before departure and to support you while abroad.
Studying abroad can be empowering and transformative. Thoughtful preparation helps you navigate it with confidence.
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Religion plays different roles around the world. In some countries, faith is deeply woven into daily life and public culture. In others, religion may be more private or less visible than in the United States.
Before you go, take time to learn about the religious landscape of your host country—including dominant faith traditions, cultural practices, and legal considerations. Understanding this context can help you feel more prepared and respectful of local norms.
If you observe specific religious practices, such as dietary restrictions, prayer times, or worship services, speak with your Education Abroad advisor early. Planning can help you explore available accommodations and local options.
Studying abroad is also an opportunity to encounter different beliefs and worldviews. Staying open-minded while understanding your own boundaries is key.
Consider:
- What is the degree of religious tolerance in your host country?
- What is the dominant religion in your host country?
- Are all religions tolerated?
- Will you be part of the religious majority or minority?
- Is it safe to wear religious symbols and/or clothing?
- How are atheists and agnostics perceived in the host country?
- Are there laws regarding religion (ex. proselytizing Christianity is banned under Chinese law)?
- Is there separation of religion & the government?
If you have questions about practicing your faith abroad or navigating a religious environment that differs from your own, our advisors are here to help you think through your options.
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Students with disabilities successfully study abroad every year. With early planning and open communication, many accommodations can be explored and arranged.
Accessibility standards and disability protections vary by country, so preparation is essential.
We strongly encourage students to disclose accommodation needs early in the application process so we can work together to identify appropriate programs and plan ahead.
Medical Care & Accessibility Planning
Before selecting a program, consider:
- Are medical facilities and specialists available in my host country?
- Can I legally bring prescribed medications into the country?
- Will I need documentation for medications or medical devices?
- Are replacement parts or repairs available for mobility or auxiliary aids if needed?
- Can my current provider recommend international contacts in case of emergency?
Early conversations allow time to research healthcare systems, medication regulations, and local accessibility resources.
Service Animals
If you plan to travel with a service animal, additional planning is required. Laws and cultural attitudes toward service animals differ widely.
Questions to consider:
- Does the host country legally recognize service animals?
- What vaccines, documentation, or quarantine requirements apply?
- Are veterinary services readily available?
- Are service animals permitted on public transportation and in housing?
- What airline regulations apply for international travel?
Start this process as early as possible, as international animal travel requirements can be complex.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, we strongly encourage it.
Disability information is protected under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Disclosure allows Education Abroad to coordinate with you, Services for Students with Disabilities, and host institutions to explore reasonable accommodations.
Without sufficient notice, accommodations may not be feasible to arrange in time.
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Programs are not designed to exclude students based on disability. However, some programs may have essential academic or physical requirements that cannot be modified.
Each situation is reviewed individually. When adequate time is available, creative and collaborative solutions are often possible.
Early planning significantly increases your options.
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Accommodations should be confirmed before departure. If an issue arises:
- Document the situation.
- Contact your Education Abroad advisor immediately.
- Notify Services for Students with Disabilities.
While we cannot guarantee specific outcomes, we will work with the host institution to explore possible solutions.
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Using accommodations is your decision.
However:
- If declining accommodations creates a safety risk, that may need to be addressed.
- Academic outcomes remain your responsibility. If accommodations are declined and academic performance is impacted, grades earned will stand.
- Disability accommodations abroad require thoughtful planning — but many students with a wide range of needs have meaningful, successful international experiences.
Start early. Ask questions. Partner with us. We’re here to help you find a program that supports both your academic goals and your well-being.
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Degree-seeking international students have the option of participating in an education abroad program through UW-Platteville. Students may choose to go back to their home country, but there is the option to be able to explore other parts of the world.
If you choose to study abroad here are some things to remember:
- Programs vary in length to a couple of weeks to one year, so there are plenty of options for students looking for a specific duration in an education abroad program.
- Be sure to talk with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) regarding your education abroad program to complete appropriate paperwork and make sure U.S. visa stipulations will be met and how your visa status might be impacted.
- This may impact your U.S. student visa status and ability to re-enter the United States.
- Student visa requirements vary by country, so be sure to explore what will be needed before the program. You may need to apply for "transit visas" to pass through a country on the way to your final destination. Carefully think through what your travel will be to get to your study abroad destination.
Questions to ask your academic advisor:
- What classes must I take on campus for my major?
- Are there any core or major requirements I can take abroad?
- What pre-requisite courses do I have to take, if any, and how will education abroad impact that?
- How many elective credits do I have remaining in my major?
- What level are the credits?
- Can I fulfill any breadth/depth requirements abroad?
- How should I follow up with you as my study abroad plans are confirmed?