Diverse Students
Students of Diverse Identities
The UNC Study Abroad Office is dedicated to the broader Carolina belief that diversity should be celebrated.
By fostering collaborative relationships with UNC campus partners and international institutions, we seek to explore new ways to create and maintain inclusive study abroad opportunities for students of diverse and underrepresented identities. We also aspire to create inclusive programming that prepares students for the growth and challenges they may experience while studying abroad. Entering new cultural environments, students may find that questions regarding their own personal identify and background become commonplace:
- While studying abroad, will I be part of the ethnic majority or minority?
- Is the host culture supportive of my sexual orientation?
- What is the dominant religious practice in that host country and will I be able to practice my own religion while abroad?
When choosing a study abroad program, it is important that students investigate the attitudes and perceptions of the host culture as these can differ from country to country.
Specific identity-based resources
The bodies we bring with us throughout the world hold different meanings in different spaces. Your skin color, hair type, or the shape of your facial features are just a few of the characteristics that may connect you with others or identify you as different. When visiting a new place, it’s important to know some key details about who lives there, the history of their community, and what it might be like for you to live there temporarily.
Racism is a global phenomenon. It can be really complicated to be African American in an African country. And what if you’re Vietnamese American and curious about going to Vietnam to explore your family origin—what might you experience? Though it’s impossible to know all of the ins and outs around race and ethnicity in a particular place, there are several resources that might help you begin to grapple with these important questions.
Consider:
- How does the country I am visiting define “American” (for example, is “American” synonymous with “white”)?
- Does the country I am visiting accommodate my aesthetic needs (hair, nails, skin products, etc.)? Have I talked with others who share my race/ethnicity that have traveled internationally?
- Have I researched how people of my race/ethnicity are viewed and treated in the country I am visiting?
Further reading:
If you are trans, gender non-conforming, or genderqueer, you may be unsure of what to expect in going abroad. You may be surprised to find that the cultural context of the place you’re interested in, for example, may view gender identity as more fluid than in the U.S. On the other hand, you may need to prepare for a more rigid definition of gender and think about how to stay safe, make friends, and better understand the implications of the gender binary in various spaces. It may also be important for you to plan for the logistics and potential safety/personal boundary concerns that may arise when making your way through airport security and to public restrooms.
Are you interested in finding a program where you can be open and out about your sexuality? Or, is that less of a priority? There are countless resources on the internet (ILGA World is a great place to start) and at UNC (including queer-identified and trans staff and faculty who have traveled internationally) where you can find answers to these questions and more.
Are you concerned about your treatment in airports and security lines? Consult the resources listed on this page, particularly this LGBTQ Guide to Travel Safety.
More questions to ask yourself:
- Will I experience gender-based discrimination in the country I study in? Who can I talk to about it if I do?
- Will there be local LGBT groups, and how are encompassing are they of the trans community?
- Is the gender on my passport different from that on my birth certificate?
- Should I correct people when they get my pronoun wrong?
- Will I have access to gender neutral bathrooms, and if not, which bathroom will I get less push-back for using?
Further reading:
Are you an international student studying at UNC? As an international student, there are a few guidelines (and some forms) that will help you find a program that’s perfect for you. As you prepare for your trip, it would be wise to research the visa requirements and limitations of your non-U.S. passport and to check to see if your country of origin has an embassy or consulate in the country you’re visiting. Additionally, you may want to meet with someone in the Office for International Student and Scholar Services to double check the logistics of your program.
Are you a student with DACA status? Although we currently do not advise DACA or undocumented students to leave the U.S., there are ways that you, too, can have a global experience while at UNC. Consider local global opportunities happening right here in the Research Triangle—there are so many to choose from. (See Local Global Resources and Latinx Community Opportunities.)
Further reading:
Is my religion openly accepted and/or practiced in the country I’d like to visit? Will I be able to find places of worship that align with my religion in the place I’m visiting? How should I respectfully visit religious places of worship to learn about my host culture? Is it safe for me to wear religious symbols or certain types of clothing?
Whether you’re looking to continue your own religious or spiritual practice or you’re seeking to research/learn about/experience another religion, doing a little research beforehand can go a long way. Religion can play an important role in your time abroad (or not), but you should consider the safety of practicing or talking about your religion openly in some places. Consult ILGA’s Minorities Report 2017: attitudes to sexual and gender minorities around the world to learn more about how various religions intersect with your destination culture (p. 59).
Further reading:
For UNC students who have children, going abroad often seems impossible. Some programs like Fulbright or Fulbright-Hays will make accommodations for families and medical expenses. You could also consider participating in a short-term, alternative break program or getting involved with opportunities on campus and in our community. Make sure to check with Financial Aid to see if additional aid is available for dependent care.
If you are a single parent traveling abroad with your child, it is important to research and prepare for dangers and stigmas you may face. Consult ILGA’s Minorities Report 2017: attitudes to sexual and gender minorities around the world to get oriented toward cultural attitudes around the globe (p. 65).
Further reading:
Many student-athletes at UNC have participated in global experiences – and you can too! In fact, your experiences in athletics may aid you greatly in making strong cultural connections and furthering personal growth during global opportunities.
Check out our Choosing a Program page to begin exploring options that fit your needs based on your athletic schedule and academic plan. Short-term experiences during summer sessions may allow the most flexibility. Semester-long programs are also great options, especially in your off-season. While on your global experience, you can arrange to maintain your workout and nutrition regimen. Talk to your coaches and support staff before traveling to discuss how you might meet these needs in your host country.
Student-athletes interested in a global experience can start the conversation with your academic counselor from the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes (ASPSA) on how a global experience can be programmed into your academic and athletic plans and review athletic eligibility. Also, visit the ASPSA Global Experiences page to learn more about some opportunities, as well see other student-athlete stories!
Further reading:
Have you served in the military and/or do you have veteran status? Are you looking to add to the global experience that you gained during your time in the military? The GI Bill, although quite complicated (as if you didn’t know that already!), does cover some for-credit Study Abroad programs, but you’ll need to know the limitations before you begin your search. You may also want to consider how your past experiences could benefit on-campus and local organizations doing international work. ROTC students and National Guard members have studied abroad in the past, and you can, too!
Further reading:
Resources for Specific Student Groups
Did you know?
Good news! In most cases, your Carolina Covenant funding travels with you for fall and spring semester study abroad programs!
If the program costs more than being here in Chapel Hill, additional loan funding will be offered to you. Explore Study Abroad Office Scholarships and other funding sources too! If the program costs less than being here in Chapel Hill, your Carolina Covenant funding may be reduced to match reduced costs. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid tries to preserve as much grant and scholarship funding as possible.
Things to Consider with Your Covenant
- Use the resources on this website to learn about study abroad and explore program options.
- Attend a Study Abroad event to learn more!
- When searching programs, compare the total estimated cost of a program on the budget sheet with your Covenant award amount.
- If the program cost is more than your award amount, you can apply for additional loan funding through OSSA. Explore Study Abroad Office Scholarships and other funding sources too! As a student with financial need, you would be eligible for many funding opportunities!
- If you were awarded work study as part of your aid package, you will be eligible for additional grant funding to help replace your work-study award.
Questions about Covenant and Study Abroad?
Contact fa_studyabroad@unc.edu or call 919-962-8396.
Study Abroad has the potential to greatly impact your time at Carolina. The Study Abroad Office is available to help meet your goals in expanding your campus beyond Chapel Hill.
Resources Available
- Study Abroad 101 Info Sessions
- Special events, such as Funding 101 and Covenant Scholars’ Info Sessions
- 1-on-1 appointments with a Study Abroad Advisor for specific questions and concerns
- Credit transfer information to make the most out of your academic experience
- Peer-to-peer advising from students who have already studied abroad
- Heels Abroad Handbook materials
- Pre-Departure Conference sessions on budgeting and cultural adjustment
- Diversity Abroad information – First Generation Students
- Plus all of the information included on this website!
For more resources available to you on campus, visit the Carolina Firsts website.
Article: “Why first gens thrive abroad” from our partner IFSA.
Students from institutions other than UNC-Chapel Hill are welcome to apply for select programs. Non-UNC students are required to pay the Study Abroad Admin Fee, as well as any costs specific to non-UNC students as outlined on the program budget sheet.
To Find Available Programs
- Use the Advanced Program Search tool
- Under Parameters, find the Open to Non-UNC Students field
- Select the appropriate criteria
- Customize your search further, if desired
- Click Search
- Review the results!
To Apply
- Contact your campus’s study abroad office and fulfill any requirements of your home institution!
- Register online at studyabroad.unc.edu.
- Follow the steps to apply online!
Important Notes
- Follow all deadlines set by your home institution, as well as UNC Study Abroad. Timelines may differ!
- You may be required to submit additional application materials, which will be listed on your application page.
- Contact your home institution study abroad advisor and/or the UNC Study Abroad Advisor with any questions.
Click here for more detailed info on Students with Accessibility Needs or Health Concerns
Transfer students often study abroad as part of their Carolina experience.
Eligibility
- Transfer students may study abroad after their first semester at UNC
- The Study Abroad Office will accept and review prior institution transcripts, in addition to a UNC transcript, when determining a transfer student’s eligibility for a program
Programs available
- Carolina offers a variety of program types, many of which would be a good fit for transfer students and allow you to satisfy degree requirements
- Faculty-led programs are one great option, as most offer UNC graded credit
- Many other types of study abroad programs offer transfer credit, so if these are of interest to you, just check to make sure you meet all in-residence requirements for your degree
Contact a Study Abroad Advisor for more information and to discuss your eligibility and programs that would be a good fit for you.
Diversity Abroad Member Institution
Diversity Abroad’s mission is to ensure that students from diverse economic, educational, ethnic and social backgrounds are aware, have equal access and take advantage of the benefits and opportunities afforded through global education exchanges.