Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Traveling and living abroad can be financially challenging, but it’s not impossible! It is important to start the planning process early! Current students should contact their home institution’s study abroad and financial aid offices regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid as well as any scholarships that are available.

There are many study abroad scholarship and grant opportunities available, so check out our financial info and scholarships pages. Budgeting and planning is key to preparing for international experiences.

API is committed to supporting its participants’ international goals. Review the resources below for some starting points!

4 Steps to Funding Study Abroad – Hear from one student about how to fund your study abroad experience.

40 Fundraising Ideas for Study Abroad – Includes some great fundraising suggestions…

Fund for Education Abroad – FEA offers a variety of grants and scholarships to help dedicated American students who have financial restrictions participate in education abroad.

9 Steps to Launching a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign – Crowdfunding is a great fundraising option. Use this site to learn how to raise money for your time abroad.

While being a first-generation student presents its own set of challenges, you may also be the first in your family to pursue an international experience! API will support you every step of the way on your journey. Whether it’s our on-site, local Resident Directors or our knowledgeable US-based program advisors, you will have assistance from beginning to end! API will connect you with your fellow program participants before you go and our extensive orientation will prepare you for your program experience.

First-Generation Students Guide – GoAbroad – Free guide on navigating the study abroad process as a first-generation student, from meeting your advisor, choosing your program and provider, and more!

First Steps to Study Abroad as a First Gen Student – Diversity Abroad shares some resources and advice on taking the first steps towards studying abroad as a First-Generation student.

GoOverseas – Stories from First-Generation Travelers – Article and stories on what it’s like to study abroad and be the first in your family to travel.

Wherever you decide to go, you may be redefining what an American is for our international counterparts. Diverse representation is vital in creating stronger global citizenship within the U.S. and the world at large.

At API, we know that an international experience will be transformational, and we are committed to helping all students achieve their study abroad goals. We encourage you to speak with your study abroad offices and consult the articles, blogs, and videos below in order to prepare for your time abroad.

Fading in Between Worlds – API Blog – See more about an API Costa Rica student’s experience as they explore the intersectionality between their ethnicity and gender-identity while studying abroad.

A Black Woman’s Experience Studying Abroad – API Blog – Hear from API Florence student Anna Johnson about her experience studying abroad in Florence, Italy.

Diversity & Inclusion Abroad Guide – Diversity Abroad’s guide for racial and ethnic minority students going abroad.

A Latina’s Study Abroad Journey – Helpful advice from a LatinX student who studied abroad in the UK.

Black Students Travel Guide – 9 tips for African-American students going abroad.

Studying Abroad While Black – Video – Helpful tips for African-American students from a student who’s studied abroad.

Studying Abroad for Black Women (Diary of a Traveling Black Woman: A Guide to International Travel) – Book by Adriana Smith

Go Girl! The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure, Edited by Elaine Lee – Contains 52 travel pieces presenting the perspective of black women, mostly African Americans. Contributors include Maya Angelou, Jill Nelson, Alice Walker, and Jamaica Kincaid.

Non-traditional students, or mature students, are generally students whose age falls outside of the average 18 to 25-year-old college age range. The good news is that non-traditional students can study and intern abroad or virtually, too! The following resources provide helpful information regarding the benefits of going abroad and how to plan and prepare for your experience.

How to Study Abroad as an Adult – Blog from The Discoverer

Study Abroad for Adults – Article from GoAbroad.com

Adult Students Abroad – Resources from University of Wisconsin, Madison

Video: Breaking Barriers with Study Abroad

The first step in planning for your education abroad experience is to speak with your VA representative and your university study abroad office to determine the opportunities available to you so both the VA requirements and your educational goals are met. Use the links below for helpful information and tips, and then contact your home institution and API as soon as possible so that we can assist.

How to Use Your GI Bill to Study Abroad – Article from GoAbroad.com

Gi Bill Study Abroad Fact Sheet – U.S. Government Department of Veteran Affairs

Veteran Affairs List of Approved Institutions

Studying abroad grants you the unique opportunity to explore world religions and the roles they play in different cultures. Whether you consider yourself to be spiritual, regularly practice a particular religion, or neither, you will encounter various deeply rooted religious aspects of your host country(ies). In general, study abroad places students in a new environment and allows them to interact with people coming from different cultural contexts and worldviews.

Our staff are available to connect participants with resources in order to feel supported throughout their journey abroad.

TIPS ABOUT RELIGION ABROAD FROM DIVERSITY ABROAD:

• Stay open minded about religious practices, even if you receive criticism for your beliefs.
• If you are planning to practice your religion abroad, our On-Site Resident Directors can help find local places of worship.
• If you have religious dietary restrictions, be sure to let your program coordinator know ahead of time, especially if you are living with a host family.
• Depending on where you go, religion may have a larger or smaller role than it does in the U.S.
• Use your experience abroad to learn about world religions the role they play in diverse cultures.

Excerpted from https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/religious-diversity-abroad.

Recommended Reading

• Look at international news sources like The Economist to get a sense of current political and societal issues in your host country.
• On the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project explore religious change and its impact on societies around the world through areas such as, how religious beliefs and practices shape people’s social values and political attitudes, trends in religious affiliation, and comparisons of restrictions on the practice of religion.
• Read news and commentary on religion worldwide through BBC Religion and Ethics.
• Learn about the history and traditions of your host culture’s majority religion through Harvard University’s Pluralism Project
• Religious Diversity Abroad
• Religion and Spiritual Life Abroad

If you need assistance finding more information on specific religious and spiritual groups abroad, we would be happy to direct you to additional resources.

Excerpted from https://www.northwestern.edu/abroad/student-experiences/identity-diversity/religion-spirituality.html

• Seek out students who’ve already traveled to that location and talk to them about their experience. Click here to connect with an API alum!
• Talk to your university study abroad office.
• Research your country and city of interest online.
• Utilize API’s online resources.
• Seek out students who’ve already traveled to that location and talk to them about their experience.

• API recommends that students with disabilities complete the optional Student Inquiry Survey prior to submission of an application, and return to Carolyn Lutes, API’s Assoc. VP of Health, Safety, and Wellness.
• Please talk to your API program manager as soon as possible, so they can contact the host university abroad regarding accommodations on site and make any necessary arrangements.

API is dedicated to providing international education opportunities to students with disabilities. We strongly recommend that you begin the process of planning your study or intern abroad experience one year in advance, including meeting with the disabilities services and study abroad office at your home institution prior to submitting an API application. Early planning provides the time required to identify the program that best suits your particular interests and needs and allows us and our partners to work with you to set up a detailed accommodations plan. Below are some resources we hope you’ll find helpful as you begin planning for your time abroad!

API recommends that students with disabilities complete the OPTIONAL Student Inquiry Survey prior to submission of an application, and return to [email protected]. 

Please note: Disclosure of a disability prior to submitting an application is completely optional and does not preclude students from being accepted to an API program.

Disclosure of a disability allows API staff to work with students to identify the best program(s) to meet each student’s needs and goals for the term abroad. Information provided on this form will not be shared with API partners abroad, to include local host institutions, until after the student has been accepted into the API program, and only as needed. API will seek to provide students with special needs a comprehensive picture of the on-site environment, so as to set appropriate expectations, and to allow students to make informed decisions regarding program participation.

API will provide advice to students using our knowledge of the dynamics on-site:

1) The accessibility of housing, transportation, internship placement sites, and university buildings (for students with mobility limitations)

2) The availability of medical facilities and health professionals (for students with mental health or medical concerns)

3) Academic policies (for students with learning disabilities)

4) Cultural perceptions and behaviors.

As conditions exist abroad that may be beyond the control of API and its partners (e.g., some host countries have no legislation akin to the American with Disabilities Act that mandates the accessibility of governmental buildings, public transportation, sidewalks, academic institutions, and lodging for individuals with disabilities), certain sites may not be ideal for all students. API will work closely with students to identify alternate locations that can provide similar academic and cultural learning opportunities if the originally requested location cannot offer adequate accommodations. Providing necessary resources and support may entail additional costs to Institution or the Participant.

TIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (excerpted from DiversityAbroad.com):

• Talk with other students with disabilities and learn about their experiences abroad.
• Let your counselor or program director know about your disability, if you are comfortable doing so, so that as many accommodations as possible can be made.
• Keep in mind that places abroad may not be as accessible as you are used to.
• Remember that people with disabilities may be treated differently than you are accustomed to. Research before you go so you have some idea of what to expect.
• Be flexible and think creatively about how you can accommodate your disability abroad.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

• Mobility International – A non-profit organization advocating for the disabled and helping students with disabilities realize their study or intern abroad goals.
• National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange – Offers free services and helpful resources for planning your education abroad experience.
• Pre-Departure Recommendations for Students with Disabilities Abroad – Information to assist students from all backgrounds with their study or intern abroad plans.
• U.S. State Department – Provides country reports including information regarding disability policies in your prospective host country.
• Ultimate Guide to Air Travel with a Disability – A resource that gives information about traveler rights, tips for navigating the airport and airplane with a disability, and more.
  
• EduBirdie – offers a number of resources of scholarships for students with varying disabilities, including ADHD, hearing impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning and cognitive learning needs, speech disorders, visual impairment, physical disabilities and more.

Accommodations for Disabilities: API will endeavor to ensure all Participants, including those with disabilities, have full access to participate in its Programs including, but not limited to, API pre-departure services, housing, orientation activities, cultural events, and excursions. API therefore requests that any disabilities which could potentially impact access to the Programs be disclosed, to the extent permissible by law, as soon as possible so that API can engage in the interactive process to determine what, if any, reasonable accommodations can be provided. API will do so in accordance with applicable law. API will be unable to provide the accommodations if Institution or the Participant seeking an accommodation does not notify API far enough in advance to enable API to make necessary arrangements, which may include cooperation with third parties. API cannot be held responsible if Institution or the Participant seeking an accommodation does not provide API with the opportunity to engage in the interactive process and procure reasonable accommodations where necessary. Providing necessary resources and support may entail additional costs to Institution or the Participant.  

Mental Health Resources

API provides support in preparation for and during your time abroad. Be sure to disclose any needs on your API medical form so that we can assist you before you go as well as on site. We have English-speaking mental health professionals on site available to assist.

• Talk to your university study abroad office.
• Research your country and city of interest online.
• Utilize API’s online resources.
• Seek out students who’ve already traveled to that location and talk to them about their experience.

See links below for suggestions:

• U.S. State Dept. Passport Change of Sex Marker
• Transequality – Passports

Be sure to talk to your API Program Manager regarding your housing questions!

• Single room options available
• Co-ed housing available (in some locations)
• Gender-inclusive housing (in some locations)

• Please note that *all* API programs are LGBTQ+-friendly, but the following map indicated global locations that are more or less LGBTQ+ accepting: https://www.equaldex.com/ 
• How to identify LGBTQ+ friendly study abroad programs

It’s always important to learn as much as you can about your host country before you go abroad in order to have a positive, successful experience. For LGBTQ+ students, this includes understanding the country’s laws and cultural attitudes regarding sexuality and gender identity.

Below are some resources to consult as you plan for your time abroad! Some countries may require you to modify your behaviors or face extensive discrimination or even legal consequences. It is a must for you to determine in advance how comfortable you feel adjusting your own behaviors to suit the cultural norms of a given culture and select a destination accordingly.

Diversity Abroad – LGBTQ+ Students Abroad – Diversity Abroad shares advice, resources, and must-ask questions for LGBTQ+ students to consider when looking to study abroad.

U.S. State Department’s LGBTQ+ Travel Information – Includes resources and other helpful information for before you go and while you’re abroad from the U.S. State Department.  You can also find country-specific information regarding special laws & other considerations for LGBTI travelers, as well as HIV entry requirements.

IGLTA, the International Gay/Lesbian Travel Association – Assists with finding LGBTQ+ owned and welcoming travel-related businesses in over 75 countries.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – Provides comprehensive data on LGBTQ+ laws around the world.

NAFSA (Association of International Educators) Rainbow Special Interest Group – Tips for LGBTQ+ students abroad.

National Center for Transgender Equality – The National Center for Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people. The site includes helpful travel information for transgender students traveling abroad.

Identities Abroad – Colleges of the Fenway – The Colleges of the Fenway offers a great resource on many aspects of the study abroad process for students who identify as LGBTQ+.