The Student Experience

One of the best ways to learn about the study abroad experience is from other University of Wyoming students who participated in your program, lived in your host country, or experienced living and studying abroad. 

Identities Abroad

Consider aspects of your identity and how these may be perceived and treated in your host culture.

Learn More

Global Buddies

Our UWYO Global Buddies program pairs American students that have studied abroad with incoming International Exchange students at UW. 

Become A Buddy

UWYO Abroad Ambassadors

UWYO Abroad Ambassadors serve as official volunteer representatives of our office and advocate for study abroad within the UW community.

Meet the Ambassadors or Become one

While Abroad

Find resources on health & safety while abroad, mental wellness abroad, and cultural adjustment.

Get Resources

Returning Home

Review how to transfer credits, Cheney Givebacks, getting involved with our Study Abroad office, and find resources for the re-entry experience.

More Info

Identities Abroad

Preparing for identity considerations abroad is an important part of any study abroad journey. Take time to learn about the host country or city of your program, including how different aspects of your identity might be perceived in another cultural context.


General Identity Resources: 

  • “What’s Up With Culture?” is an online course that encourages students to think critically about their own culture and the culture they’ll be studying in. This self-guided course was developed to support and enhance a student’s ability to make successful cultural adjustments. As one considers their own identity abroad, this may be a helpful start. 

 

Student Playing Music in the Mountains

Identity Abroad Considerations

Please see below for helpful resources in planning for your time abroad and your identities. If you have further questions or suggestions, please contact a member of the Education Abroad staff.

Mahieu, Augustus, Stairway to the Sea

UW students with disabilities participate in study abroad programs around the world; the key to a successful experience is planning. Understand, however, that attitudes and perceptions about accessibility and accommodation for students with emotional, mental, learning or physical disabilities may vary at different program sites and locations. Students registered with University Disability Support Services (DSS) who are eligible for on-campus accommodations are also eligible for accommodations abroad when it can be arranged. 

Accessibility Resources, Guides and Personal Stories 

  • Abroad with Disabilities: Facebook page started by Juanita Lillie, a student from Grand Valley State University who studied abroad in Costa Rica, as a resource for other students with disabilities who wish to study, intern, volunteer or work abroad.  

  • Abroad with a Wheelchair: This guide is designed to empower and inspire people in wheelchairs to venture beyond the familiar, to destinations that welcome and embrace diversity in mobility. 

One of the more memorable and enjoyable experiences for students who study abroad is the ability to discover a unique array of food. For students with dietary restrictions based on health, lifestyle, or religion, mindful planning and preparation can allow you to engage in these same experiences.  

Resources, Guides and Personal Stories: 


Medical Dietary Restrictions: 

  • IES Abroad: tips from a woman with Type 1 diabetes and how she stays safe and healthy while studying abroad 

  • CeliacTravel: travel tips to maintain a gluten-free diet while abroad 

Religious Dietary Restrictions: 

  • Zabihah: the world’s largest guide to Halal restaurants and markets around the world 

  • Kashrut: a kosher travel guide organized by country 

 

Vegetarian & Vegan Dietary Restrictions: 

  • Green Earth Travel: tips for maintaining a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle while traveling  

A first-time traveler who is organized, open-minded, and adaptable often has a better time, learns more, and is more of an asset to the group than an unprepared, irresponsible, or inflexible person, regardless of their prior experiences. 

First Time Travelers Tips & Resources 

Whether you’ve traveled before or this is your first time abroad, it’s important to consider your host country’s cultural attitude towards gender identity. Gender roles abroad may differ from those in the U.S. You may choose not to behave in exactly the same ways as local men and women do; however, it is important that you educate yourself about cultural gender roles within your host community in order to make sensitive choices about how you will behave while abroad and to understand how your personal views and opinions may be interpreted by your host culture. 

Resources, Guides and Personal Stories: 

  • Women Travelers: A collection of Brown University student perspectives about diversity and gender abroad. 

  • Solo Women Travelers: A Facebook group for women who choose to travel solo sharing their personal stories, tips, and safety advice.  

*In this section, we refer primarily, but not exclusively, to cisgender-identified women and men, as transgender-identified individuals or gender-queer individuals may have additional considerations—see the LGBTQIA Students Abroad section for additional resources.

Each year degree-seeking international students studying at the University of Wyoming participate in our education abroad programs. Some students choose to go back to their home country, while others choose to explore another part of the world. 

If you choose to study abroad here are some things to keep in mind: 

  • Research and apply to programs early.  

  • Speak to an Education Abroad advisor as you consider programs. 

  • Communicate with your International Students and Scholars (ISS) advisor as soon as you have picked a program. They can discuss how studying abroad will affect your F-1/J-1 visa status and the proper documents and signatures necessary to re-enter the U.S.  

  • Student visa requirements vary by country, so you will want to explore application requirements well in advance of 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 travel routes to get to your study abroad destination 

It is important to be aware of the cultural, legal and social issues regarding sexual orientation and gender identity abroad and how they could affect interactions with people in your host country. 

To have a rewarding and safe experience, you will benefit from thinking about your own sexual orientation and gender identities, and from researching the LGBTQ+ climate of the country you will be visiting. 

Educate yourself about specific laws pertaining to sexual behavior, orientation and/or gender expression. When doing your research, try to find out about: 

  • The age of consent in the country and laws related to sexual behavior 

  • Restrictions on freedom of association or expression for LGBTQ people 

 

Resources, Guides and Personal Stories:

  • NAFSA’s Rainbow Special Interest Group: Information and resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender study abroad students run by a professional association for international educators. 

Racial and ethnic relations vary by culture, meaning that while you’re abroad, you may be part of an ethnic minority or majority for the first time in your life or must think about your identity in a new way. 

For instance, if you’re visiting a country where you have ethnic or racial roots, you may have to consider the local norms and expectations in ways that other students with different backgrounds may not. Remember that in countries with ethnic or racial conflicts, you may be inadvertently identified with one group or another simply based on your appearance. On the other hand, perhaps you’ll be considered American first, and your ethnic or racial identity will be secondary. 

Resources, Guides and Personal Stories:  

  • DiversityAbroad: offers discussion forums, destination guides, student blogs, and a funding directory to assist students of diverse backgrounds.

One exciting and interesting aspect about experiencing another culture is developing a deeper understanding of religious traditions and beliefs that differ from our own. If you are planning to practice your religion abroad, you’ll want to explore what degree of religious tolerance there is in your host country. Will it be safe for you to wear religious symbols and/or clothing? How are atheists perceived? 

Resources, Guides and Personal Stories:

  • Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project: explore religious change and its impact on societies around the world through topics such as how religious beliefs shape social values and political attitudes, trends in religious affiliation, and restrictions on the practice of religion. 

  • Interactive Map: see how your identity may interact with those in your host country. This map displays the largest religious group in each country.