Adapted from University of Wisconsin-Madison and NAFSA Resources

Muslim Students Abroad

Buddhist Students Abroad

Jewish Students Abroad

Christian Students Abroad

Questions: 

  • How will I be perceived in my home country? 
  • Will I be accepted in my home country? 
  • How should I react if I find something to be offensive? 
  • Am I used to being part of the minority at home? How will it be to be a part of the majority abroad? 
  • Will there be other heritage students in my program? 

Tips: 

  • Remember that, although there is an ethnic affiliation between you and the people in your home country, there are many cultural differences, and you might not be accepted as one of their own. 
  • Research the customs and culture of your home country. There might be great differences between what you think you know about the home country based on how you were raised and what it is actually like. To this end, have an open mind about your home country in an effort to avoid unrealistic expectations. 
  • Be aware that people may generalize or incorrectly identify your ethnicity. Additionally, you may be identified as American and an outsider rather than a part of the host country. 
  • Learn more about other heritage students’ experiences abroad. For example, you can talk to other heritage students who have studied abroad or find information online. 

How Education Abroad Office (EAO) can help: 

  • Ask your Education Abroad Advisor to connect you with an alumnus of the program who was also a heritage seeker. 

Adapted from Loyola University Chicago & University of Wisconsin-Madison

Governmental Resources

Medication

Financial Aid

Wheelchair Access

Mental Health

Traveling with Pets/Service Animals

We encourage you to disclose your mental health history to your Education Abroad Advisor. It can be helpful to identify indications of when things are getting difficult for you and what you find most helpful and supportive. All of our advisors want to support you in order for you to have a productive and rewarding experience abroad.  

There are many benefits to disclosing to your Education Abroad Advisor.  They can: 

  • Help you find a program where you will be able to succeed academically and personally (academics, environment, housing, on-site support, etc.) 
  • Connect you with resources to learn more about health access in your host country (medical care, emergencies, etc.) 
  • Support you in setting-up accommodations in your host country prior to departure. 

You can also ask about these accommodations or procedures without disclosing your specific situation by asking questions like: 

  • What is the schedule for the program? 
  • What plans are in place if a participant experiences a physical or psychological emergency? 

Things to consider and questions to ask before you go: 

  • How is the cultural and academic setting different from Seattle U? 
  • What kinds of student health centers/hospital services are available? 
  • Are services available in my native language? 
  • Do I need a letter for my insurance company explaining I am studying abroad? 
  • Will the Global Medical insurance provided by my program cover any medication/treatment I need while abroad? 
  • Are there pharmacies nearby if I need to get medication abroad? 
  • What kind of on-site support will be available to support mental health? 

Your Education Abroad Advisor is available to you upon return as well to discuss your program and how you are adjusting to life back in the United States. 

  • What possible changes in my mental health might I experience while studying abroad? 
  • What suggestions do you have to stay healthy? 
  • How much of my medication can I take over at a time/how can I access my medication abroad? 
  • Can you provide me with documentation for travelling with medication? 
  • Are there medications I would need to take abroad (e.g., anti-malarial medication) that could interact with my current medication? 
  • How can I adjust my medication regimen to a different time zone? 
  • Can we keep in touch while I’m abroad, and if so, how? (Phone call, skype, e-mail, zoom?)
    • If not, do you have recommendations for my care? 

You might also find it helpful to research the host culture's attitudes toward disabilities, both visible and invisible, in order to get a sense of how to prepare yourself for your time abroad. Some questions to consider: 

  • How are people with my disability viewed in the host country? How will I field questions about my disability? 
  • What kinds of accommodations will I need in terms of housing and transportation once in the host country?
  • How accessible will my dorms/campus/environs be? 
  • What resources are available to me in the host country if I need assistance or support? 
  • Will my disability prevent me from participating in excursions offered by my program? 

Here are some things to consider and questions to answer when selecting a program: 

  • Since no one in my family has ever studied abroad, who can help me answer their questions as I plan my experience? 
  • Is it important to retain some cultural similarities or a completely different experience? 
  • How important is the physical distance from my friends and family? Example: Do I feel more comfortable going somewhere closer to the United States, like Central America, or somewhere very far away like India or Australia? 
  • How will I involve my family in my decision to go abroad? 
  • How can I explain to my family that an education abroad experience can contribute to achievement of my academic and career goals? 
  • How will an education abroad impact my graduation date? What type of program options is the best fit? Would a long-term or short-term program be a better fit? 
  • Do I want a program that offers practical experience (internship, research) in addition to regular courses? 
  • What scholarships are available to support my education abroad? 

Here are some things to consider as you prepare to go abroad: 

  • How will I keep in touch with my family and friends while I'm abroad? 
  • How do I plan to finance my time abroad?
  • How will housing look like on this education abroad experience?  
  • How will I incorporate my experiences abroad back into my life in Seattle upon my return? 
  • What goals do I want to accomplish while abroad? 

Adapted from materials from Identity Resources - Study Abroad, University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Here are a few things to consider and questions to ask when choosing a program: 

  • Is it possible to take a minor child or a partner along with me when I study abroad? 
  • Can I request not to have a roommate, or to be placed with a host family that shares my interests and age? 
  • If I am not able to be away for very long due to family obligations, how do I get the most out of a short-term experience abroad? Will there be other adult students on my program? 
  • What skills do I want to gain or improve while I am abroad? 
  • Do I want a program that offers practical experience (internship, research) in addition to regular courses? 
  • What scholarships are available to support my education abroad? Be sure to research what people in your host country like to do and where they live. For example, do they work? Do they live with extended family or on their own?  

Sometimes you might feel that you do not fit in with other students on your program but remember to get to know them & have them get to know you! 

Adapted from Loyola University Chicago, University of Wisconsin-Madison 

  1. Meet with your Education Abroad Advisor to learn about programs open to students on VA benefits. 
  2. Meet with a Seattle University School Certifying Official (SCO) to determine whether or not you are eligible to receive GI-Bill funding for study abroad. 
  3. Research various study abroad program options and determine the best-fit program. Refer to the list of VA-approved international colleges and universities to ensure that the program you have chosen will work with your benefits;
  4. Continue to check-in with the Education Abroad Office for additional paperwork needed to prepare for departure and with the Veterans Center to ensure that the necessary information is being transmitted between offices. 

Security Clearance

Worried about a current or future security clearance? Create a spreadsheet to store sustained foreign contact information for serious connections you make abroad. Keep track of your addresses abroad and details for two references per address. You can check out the Questionnaire for National Security Positions SF-86 (.pdf) form for more info.

  • Gilman-McCain Scholarship for child dependents of active-duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.