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Click here to learn about & RSVP to our UC Exploring Your Identity Abroad series workshops

The International Education Office (IEO) aims to celebrate and support the many identities of our students who enrich their education through study abroad. We recognize that your social identity/ies can influence, impact, or be impacted by a study abroad experience and believe that it’s important to give careful consideration to these topics ahead of time.

To help you along, we encourage you to visit the pages linked below that include resources and questions for you to consider as you plan for your study abroad experience. As always, we invite you to speak with your IEO advisor about these and other topics – we are here to help!

Current and Former Foster Youth / Guardian Scholars

The UCLA International Education Office recognizes that current and former foster youth may face unique barriers to accessing study abroad opportunities. As you prepare for studying abroad, we are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point. As always, your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

If you are former foster youth who is also a first-generation college student, we encourage you to visit the First Generation College Students section on this webpage to find additional information and resources for studying abroad.

Questions to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

Funding

  • How do I plan to finance my time abroad?
  • Are there any other expenses beyond the cost of the study abroad program that I need to consider (i.e., passport, plane tickets, and meals, etc.)?
  • If I receive Financial Aid, does my program have any upfront costs that I would be required to pay before I receive my Financial Aid package for study abroad (i.e., visa/residence permit application costs, housing deposits, host university fees, etc.)?
  • How does the cost of attendance for study abroad compare to my cost of attendance here at UCLA?
  • What are any additional funding sources that can help finance study abroad?
  • If I run into financial difficulty while abroad, what resources and networks do I have or can I develop to navigate that?

Support Networks

  • If I am in need of emotional support throughout my time abroad, who are the people I can count on to provide that?
  • Who will be my point of contact, or support system, in my host country?

Tips

  • Check with your major, academic, and counseling departments to inquire about potential scholarship opportunities for students with unique backgrounds.
  • Find someone from home who you can stay in touch with while abroad, particularly as it relates to your emotional and financial support. In case of emergencies, knowing who you can count on will serve you well.
  • Do not be afraid to ask for help. Studying abroad can be overwhelming and it is important that you know you are not alone.
  • In some programs, but not all, you may be required to secure and arrange your own housing. Depending on the country, this may involve having a “gaurantor” or co-signer for your lease abroad. Talk to your program advisor about whether or not this applies, and if it does, who would be an acceptable co-signer.

General Resources

  • UCLA Student Stories: Check out Montana’s or Tylar’s video to hear from former foster youth who studied abroad.
  • Talk to your IEO advisor, who can help you process some of these questions and access resources below.
  • Check out the “Finances” tab on the UCLA IEO website for information about financial aid and scholarships. Every year, UCEAP participants who identify as current or former foster youth can apply for the UCEAP Guardian Scholarship, which was created to support students in this community studying abroad.
  • UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars: Housed in the Bruin Resource Center, this program was created to provide support and resources to UCLA students who identify as current and former foster youth. They host monthly community building events and workshops that assist students in gaining life skills and learning how to navigate UCLA and the broader community.

First Generation Bruins

As the first person in your immediate family who will graduate from college, you may feel like studying abroad adds another layer of complexity to your educational experience. We are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point.  As always, your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

Questions to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

Planning

  • Why am I pursuing study abroad? What do I hope to accomplish from this experience?
  • If no one in my family has ever studied abroad, who can help me answer their questions as I plan my experience?
  • If this is my first time abroad, is it important to retain some cultural similarities with the US? Or am I looking for as different an experience as possible?
  • How important is it for me to be geographically close to my friends and family while I am abroad? Example: Do I feel more comfortable going somewhere closer to the United States, like Mexico or the Caribbean, or would I consider somewhere farther away like India or Australia?
  • How will my study abroad experience fit into my academic plan at UCLA (major, minor, elective, or GE, etc.)? Tip: An academic advisor can help you with this!
  • Am I looking for a program that offers practical experience, like an internship, as part of the program?
  • How will I use my study abroad experiences in the future, either personally, academically, professionally, or otherwise? ​

Family & Friends

  • How will I explain the study abroad process to family and friends?
  • How can I explain to my family that a study abroad experience can contribute to the achievement of my academic and career goals?
  • How will I involve my family in my decision to study abroad, if at all? Will they be financing any portion of my study abroad experience?
  • How will I keep in touch with family and friends while I am abroad?
  • What resources are available for my family and friends?

Funding

  • How do I plan to finance my time abroad?
  • Are there any other expenses beyond the cost of the study abroad program that I need to consider (i.e., passport, plane tickets, and meals, etc.)?
  • If I receive Financial Aid, does my program have any upfront costs that I would be required to pay before I receive my Financial Aid package for study abroad (i.e., visa/residence permit application costs, housing deposits, host university fees, etc.)?
  • How does the cost of attendance for study abroad compare to my cost of attendance here at UCLA?
  • What are any additional funding sources that can help finance study abroad? (Hint: See the “General Resources” section for funding options.)

General Resources

LGBTQ Students

As an opportunity to expand academic knowledge and develop cultural awareness, study abroad also presents students who identify as LGBTQ with exciting possibilities to explore sexual orientation and gender in a global context. In preparing to study abroad, it is important to think about how your sexual orientation and gender expression may be salient to your experiences abroad. While you prepare, we are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point. As always, your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

Question to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

Sense of Community

If a sense of LGBTQ community is important to you, it may be beneficial to do some online research about local LGBTQ organizations in your potential study abroad location. If you know of someone who identifies with the LGBTQ community and has either studied abroad or visited that location, you may want to ask them about their experiences. Just remember, there are always going to be different opinions and viewpoints.

  • How important is it to me to find other LGBTQ students or friends while studying abroad, and how prepared am I to create these relationships?
  • Will I be able to maintain these relationships upon my return to the US?
  • Are there open LGBTQ communities in the country? Or at the local university?
  • If a sense of LGBTQ community is important to me, how will I manage the potential difficulties of not finding one while abroad?

Resources

Think about the resources that you currently have and/or use at UCLA and your local community. It might be beneficial to look into the types of resources that may or may not exist in your potential study abroad location.

  • Are there resources available for LGBTQ people or LGBTQ-friendly centers in the host country?
  • Does my study abroad program offer LGBTQ-friendly housing?
  • Does my study abroad program offer gender neutral housing facilities i.e. bathrooms and dormitories?
  • Does my study abroad program discuss LGBTQ considerations during orientation?
  • What resources are available to me upon my return to campus?
  • What documents indicating a gender/sex marker will I need for traveling and studying abroad, and would it be useful to change the gender/sex marker on any of those documents before traveling? (Tip: For U.S. passports, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs facilitates this process using a Form DS-11 to change gender markers. Note that this form requires assembling additional information and will take time to complete. The National Center for Transgender Equality has a comprehensive guide explaining this process.)

Coming Out

  • If I am open about my sexual orientation and/or gender identity at UCLA, will that change at all when I am abroad?
  • If I choose to come out while abroad, how will this affect me and my relationships with friends and family upon my return?
  • How open will I be about my sexual orientation, gender expression and pronouns with my teachers, peers, friends, host family, and others?
  • Are there situations in which I would not disclose my sexual orientation or gender identity?
  • If I choose to conceal my sexual orientation or gender identity while abroad, what impact will this have on me upon my return?

Local Attitudes

When it comes to local attitudes, there might be a difference between how local people interact with other locals and how they interact with visitors from other countries. To help work through and understand these differences, consult with others who you may know who have been to the location in question. If you don’t personally know someone, try to find personal stories others may have shared online about their experiences. For UCEAP participants, the “Daily Life Abroad” section of your UCEAP Program Guide (found in your UCEAP portal) has helpful information about this topic.

  • What are the cultural and local attitudes toward sexual orientation and gender identity in my host country?
  • What do cultural expressions of gender and sexuality look like in the host country?
  • What do gender relations look like in the host country?
  • What are the behavioral norms within the local LGBTQ community?

Personal Health & Safety

  • What are my safety needs, and how can they best be met? Is the program able to make accommodations for students who request single rooms, private baths, or certain roommates?
  • Will I need access to any medications, supplies, or services to properly care for my medical needs, including those related to physical transition, like hormones?  Are they available in my host country?  If not, will I need any additional documentation to travel with any medications or supplies?  Will it be possible to travel legally with these supplies?

Legality

Concerning legality and enforcement, the U.S. Department of State LGBTI Travel Information provides general information about travel advice for LGBTQ individuals. They also have a country specific database  that includes information on LGBTQ rights.

  • Are there any restrictions on freedom of association or expression for LGBTQ people?
  • What are the laws regarding identity and travel documentation?
  • Are there hate crime laws in place that provide certain protections for LGBTQ people?
  • What is the legality of same-sex sexual behavior?
  • What is the age of consent for sexual behavior? Does it differ for heterosexual versus same-sex couples?

Transgender Identity

  • What are the local attitudes toward transgender individuals in the host culture?
  • What are the laws regarding gender identity and travel documentation?
  • What are my safety needs and perceptions, and how can they best be met?
  • Will I need access to any medications, supplies, or services to properly care for my medical needs, including those related to physical transition, like hormones?  Are they available in my host country?  If not, will I need any additional documentation to travel with any medications or supplies?  Will it be possible to travel legally with these supplies?
  • If I am currently utilizing insurance for any health services, including those related to physical transition, what does insurance coverage look like while I am abroad?

General Resources

Religious Identity

If your religion or spirituality is a significant part of your identity, it might be beneficial to consider how that could interact with your experience abroad. If you don’t practice a religion yourself, many in your host culture might, so it can be helpful to understand cultural expectations related to food, social norms, and local laws in which the host country’s religion(s) play a major part. Whether you practice a religion or not, studying abroad can present you with opportunities to learn more about your host country’s culture and belief systems.

As you prepare for studying abroad, we are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point. As always, your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

Questions to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

Understanding the host culture

  • What is/are the dominant religion(s) in my host country?
  • How much do I know about the religion(s) of my host country and the role religion plays in society? (Tip: some of the general resources on this webpage can help you learn more about this topic.)
  • What is the attitude of people in my host country toward other religions not practiced by the majority?
  • How are atheists or agnostics perceived by my host culture?
  • What places of worship and/or religious communities exist in my host country?
  • Are there any religious holidays that are celebrated as public events in my host country?

Engaging with religion abroad

  • Will I be a part of the religious majority or minority in my host country?
  • How should I respectfully visit religious places of worship to learn about my host culture (i.e., dress code, conduct, etc.)?
  • What are some ways I can respect the religion in my host country and participate in cultural events, even if I don’t practice that religion?
  • How are religious holidays observed and celebrated in my host country? Will I want to or be willing to participate even if this religion is different from my own?
  • If I plan to live in a homestay while abroad, am I open to living in a homestay with a similar or diverse religious background from my own?

Practicing religion abroad

  • Are there laws regarding religion and freedom of religious expression that may differ from what I experience in the US (e.g., proselytizing/evangelizing and certain religious symbols or clothing are banned in some countries)?
  • Is it safe for me to wear religious symbols or clothing in my host country? How does that compare to the level of safety I may or may not experience in the US?
  • If I am planning to practice my religion abroad, are there any places of worship I can visit or local religious groups I can join? If not, how will I plan to practice my religion independently?
  • Will my religion’s holidays be observed in my host country? If they are not, how do I plan to observe them in my own way?
  • If I have religious dietary restrictions, will they be accommodated in my host country?

Tips

  • If you plan on practicing your religion abroad, it might be helpful to think about whether you may wish to find a place of worship, seek out a community of other practitioners, follow specific dietary guidelines, or worship according to a specific schedule. Consider which aspects of your religious practice you are able or not able to be flexible about.
  • Depending on your religious identity and your location, you may want to communicate any concerns or specific information about accommodations (such as dietary restrictions) to program staff ahead of departure, especially if you are living with a host family.
  • Demonstrate respect by wearing appropriate attire and showing proper respect to icons, etc. If you do not know what is appropriate, just ask.
  • Stay in touch with your UCLA or home faith community.

General Resources

  • Talk to your IEO advisor, who can help you process some of these questions and access resources below.
  • The Pluralism Project, Harvard University: This website acts as a hub for links to resources about religion and spirituality around the world.
  • U.S. State Department – International Religious Freedom Report.This website links to an annual report issued by the U.S. State Department regarding the status of religious freedom around the world. 
  • On the CIA World Factbook website, look for your host country’s page and research the “People and Society” section, where you can find the religious breakdown of the country.
  • There are some religious organizations that connect study abroad students in certain religions to local communities of practitioners across the globe. An IEO advisor can help you identify these resources upon request, if they exist for your particular religion.
  • Check out the “Finances” tab on the UCLA IEO website for information about financial aid and scholarships.

Students of Color

As a student of color in the US, it is possible you have given thought to what it means to belong to a minoritized racial/ethnic group and also how that impacts your daily life. When studying abroad, it is important to learn about how people of your racial/ethnic identity are perceived and treated.  As you prepare for studying abroad, we are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point. As always, your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

Questions to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

  • What are the cultural norms of my host country? Are there religious/cultural institutions or practices that they adhere to?
  • What is the relationship between my host country and the United States?
  • What types of experiences do students of color typically have on the programs (or in the country) I am considering?
  • If I am the only member of my racial/ethnic group in my program, how will that impact my experience abroad?
  • If staying with a host family, have they hosted students of my race/ethnicity before? If not, will this be an issue for me or them?
  • How are people of my race/ethnicity typically treated in my host country?
  • What are my resources if I experience racial or discriminatory incidents?
  • Who is perceived as an ethnic or racial minority in my host country, and how is that perception different than or similar to my experience as a person of color in the US?
  • How is my racial or ethnic group perceived in my host country? What kinds of stereotypes exist about my racial or ethnic group?
  • How might stereotypes about what Americans look like create assumptions about my identity?
  • What is the history of ethnic or racial tension in the country? Is the situation currently hostile to members of a minority race or particular ethnicity or religion?
  • Are issues of racism/ethnic discrimination influenced by immigration in my host country?
  • How can I explain to my family that a study abroad experience can contribute to the achievement of my career goals?
  • For heritage seekers: I will be studying in the country my parents are from, but I have never been there before and/or I don’t speak the language. Can I contact other heritage students who may have done this before me so I can learn from their experiences?

Tips

  • Research funding opportunities that you may qualify for as a student of color studying abroad – either in the US, in your host country, or both.
  • Students with certain hair textures may require services from stylists or salons that may not be easily accessible abroad. Ask locals who have similar textures or wear similar styles for recommendations. Also, do some research online. Don’t forget to stock up on your preferred hair products in case they are not available abroad.
  • You may experience a shift in privilege depending on where you travel. You may find that you have access to certain kinds of mobility that are not accessible to some communities abroad. For example, while you may not consider yourself economically privileged at home, you may be considered wealthy by that community’s standards because of your ability to travel and pursue a college education in another country.
  • In the U.S., your race/ethnicity may be a defining factor of your identity, but while abroad, you might be perceived as an American first.
  • In contrast, assumptions about what Americans look like may cause others abroad to question the fact that you’re an American. They might ask you questions about your nationality and cultural heritage, even after you’ve already stated that you are an American. Recognize that these questions are likely a result of a lack of awareness about the racial and ethnic demographics of the U.S.
  • When visiting racially/ethnically homogeneous areas, you may encounter curious locals who have never seen people who look like you, and so they might stare at you excessively, take photos of you, or even try to touch you/your hair. If it makes you uncomfortable, politely express your discomfort and ask that they respect your boundaries.
  • Social support in your host country and at home will help you navigate a new culture that may include new racial/ethnic relations. Know whom to contact when you feel like your race or ethnic background are discriminated against while abroad.
  • Having a support system of family, friends, and/or romantic partners may also help you deal with feelings of isolation and culture shock.
  • Knowing the social and historical situation in your host country can help you prepare for the transition from the US and back. This helps you be prepared if any incidents arise, however don’t expect prejudice to happen.

General Resources

  • UCLA Student Stories: Check out Andrew’s, Tylar’s, Cydney’s, or Freyja’s videos to learn about how their race/ethnicity played a role in their time abroad.
  • Talk to your IEO advisor, who can help you process some of these questions and access resources below.
  • Diversity Abroad resource guide: Heritage Seekers
  • Check out the “Finances” tab on the UCLA IEO website for information about financial aid and scholarships.

Students with Disabilities

As a student with disability/ies you may have thought about what study abroad would be like for you. While you prepare for studying abroad, we are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point. As always, your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

Question to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

  • What is my host culture’s attitude toward individuals with disabilities (mobility, psychiatric, hearing, vision, learning, etc.)?
  • In what ways should I prepare to adjust to living in a foreign country? (re: housing, food, culture, language, etc.)
  • If I am the only person with a disability in my program, how will that impact my experience abroad, if at all?
  • How many on-site resources (offices, staff, hospitals, counseling centers, note taking assistants, books on tape, etc.) are offered in my host city/university?
  • How different is the academic environment, and is there flexibility for longer test time, reduced workloads, mandatory excursions, etc.?
  • Overall, what is the physical environment and terrain like of my host city and host university?
  • Is transportation (bus, train, airports) available and accessible?
  • Are there accessible housing options that are close to classes? If there are dining areas, laundry rooms, and study areas, are these accessible as well?
  • Are bathrooms in key areas (classroom, housing, libraries) accessible?
  • Are local businesses (banks, shopping centers, markets, grocery stores) accessible?
  • What support systems are necessary to help me overcome barriers or to cope with bias related incidents?
  • What barriers might I encounter (both in planning to go abroad, and while abroad), and how will I overcome them?
  • If I utilize academic, medical, psychological, or other resources at my home institution, will I utilize resources abroad? Where can I find the resources I need? What is the financial cost of these resources and what does my insurance cover?

Tips

  • Disclose your disability needs to program staff early, so appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodations can be made in advance.
  • Remember that other cultures may provide disability access in a different way—learn about what types of accommodation are typically provided in your host country, and be flexible and open to different ways of accommodation.
  • Before you go, find out as much as you can about your host culture and how they view disability by reading, talking to other students, and attending pre-departure orientation sessions. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for the new environment. For UCEAP participants, the “Daily Life Abroad” section of your UCEAP Program Guide (found in your UCEAP portal) has helpful information about this topic.
  • Think about how you will answer questions about your disability in the language of your host country—look up key vocabulary words ahead of time.

General Resources

Bruin Underground Scholars

As a student who identifies as formerly incarcerated and/or system impacted, you may wonder if studying abroad is a possibility for you. In the past, UCLA Underground Scholars have made study abroad a reality.  While you explore program options, we are here to help you navigate through various programs and application processes.  We also offer the questions and resources below as a starting point.  Your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

Questions to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

  • Am I limited to short-term programs due to being formerly incarcerated? What should I consider when deciding between a summer, semester, and yearlong programs
  • How soon can a new student (transfer or freshman) participate in a study abroad program?
  • Are there programs that ask for a background check, and will that impact my participation? (Consult with your study abroad advisor on this).
  • What study abroad programs offer internship opportunities? Is this a good opportunity to earn UC credit and add real-world workplace skills to my resume while abroad?
  • How will my study abroad experience fit into my academic plan at UCLA (major, minor, elective, or GE, etc.)? Tip: An academic advisor can help you with this!
  • Do I need special documentation to study abroad if I am on supervised release?

Tips

  • Disclose any potential travel restrictions early to program staff.
  • There are many career benefits of studying abroad. While researching programs, you may consider what skills you would like to obtain or improve upon.
  • Find someone from home who you can stay in touch with while abroad, particularly as it relates to your emotional and financial support. In case of emergencies, knowing who you can count on will serve you well.
  • Check with your major, academic, and counseling departments to inquire about potential scholarship opportunities for students with unique backgrounds.
  • Internships abroad are likely to require an updated resume, and/or interview via Zoom/Skype.  For assistance with building your resume and interviewing skills, visit the UCLA Career Center at https://career.ucla.edu/undergrad/resources.

General Resources

Undocumented Students

The UCLA International Education Office affirms the right of undocumented students to pursue higher education. There is a legal document referred to as Advance Parole that undocumented students with a valid DACA status can apply for to study abroad and reenter the United States. However, there are risks involved that should be carefully considered. DACA students interested in studying abroad are strongly encouraged to consult with the legal services team at the UCLA Undocumented Student Program (USP) to discuss your specific situation and whether you would be eligible for Advance Parole.

Applying to study abroad for DACA students requires preparation at least 9-12 months in advance of the program start date. Please start discussing your options with our study abroad office and the USP legal services team early!

In November 2021, we led a study abroad workshop that covered the basics of studying abroad as an undocumented student. We encourage you to check out the recording of the Study Abroad for Undocumented Students session. Keep in mind that laws and policies are changing all the time and that some of the information presented may be outdated. Always consult with the USP team and the study abroad office for the most up-to-date information.

Advance Parole

The UC Immigrant Legal Services Center is currently supporting students who seek to apply for Advance Parole. The legal services team at the UCLA Undocumented Student Program can interpret the legal implications of a change in Federal immigration policy and provide advice to undocumented travelers. Consider that as of December 2021, getting Advance Parole granted can take approximately 9 months. Students need to get this approved before going abroad, but in some cases even sooner.

If you need further information on the status of DACA visit the UCLA Undocumented Student Program.

Domestic Programs

In addition to UC programs like UCLA CAPPP Quarter in Washington DC and UC Center Sacramento, some undocumented students may be eligible to participate in a variety of domestic programs offered through UC campuses’ study abroad offices. We encourage undocumented students who are considering these programs to consult with the legal services team at the UCLA Undocumented Student Program.

UCLA Summer Travel Study

UC Davis: USA Study Abroad Programs

UC Berkeley Study Abroad

General Resources

  • UCLA Undocumented Student Program: This program exists to support all undocumented students at UCLA and their families. Resources provided include social events, health and wellness support, and legal services.

Women Abroad

Like other social identities, gender and one’s experience with their gender can be affected by cultural norms and attitudes. Specifically, being a woman abroad can be an eye-opening experience, as the attitudes and behaviors regarding women can vary considerably from culture to culture. As you prepare for studying abroad, we are here to help and offer the questions and resources below as a starting point. As always, your IEO advisor is available to assist you with your questions and navigate these resources.

In addition to the resources and topics shared on this webpage, women who are transgender may have additional considerations for their time abroad. Information and more resources for this population can be found on the LGBTQ Identity page.

Question to ask yourself and/or your IEO Advisor

  • What are considered typical gender roles in my host society?
  • What are society’s perceptions and expectations for women in my host country? How do other genders, like men, treat women?
  • What are the cultural norms regarding friendship and dating? Are there different views on appropriate physical contact (like hugging, handshakes, etc.) between genders?
  • What are my personal values about my gender identity and gender roles and how does this differ from that of my host country (if it differs at all)?
  • Are there aspects of my personal values that I am willing to compromise on in order to make safe and culturally informed choices while abroad?
  • Do people in my host country have stereotypes of American women? If so, how might that impact my interactions with locals?

Tips

  • Talk with other women who have studied abroad to find out more about their experiences. This can be particularly helpful if they’ve studied in or traveled to your location(s) of interest.
  • Find examples of women from your host country (through research online, articles, videos, etc.) and observe how they dress and interact with other genders in their society.
  • Use some of the resources below to learn more about gender roles and norms in your host country. Body language, clothing, and even smiling at strangers can send different cultural signals that may not be understood in the same way they are at home. For example, in some countries “Western-style” clothing is considered inappropriate, but in other countries it is perfectly acceptable.
  • If applicable, research contraception and women’s reproductive healthcare options in your host country. For example, if you take birth control, note that the availability of oral contraception varies considerably by country and will almost always require an in-country prescription, so it is better to make sure that you have enough to last the full duration of your stay and some extra just in case you lose any pills. However, like other types of prescriptions, be sure to check the laws in your host country about whether or not you can bring it into the country when you first arrive.
  • Make sure to check what sort of feminine products are available in the country you are traveling to. For example, tampons are not as frequently used outside of the United States/Canada, and they may not be available in some places, or may only be available without applicators. Do some research beforehand and if there is a product you prefer that will not be available in your host country, consider bringing it with you.
  • When it comes to personal safety practices, it’s important to know what items you can and cannot have on your person in certain countries. For example, pepper spray is considered to be an illegal weapon in the United Kingdom.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment may include unwanted attention you may receive in a public or private place and, frankly put, a form of violence. It can include yelling, hissing, whistling, catcalls, and following. It may also include touching you or themselves. Anyone can be a target of sexual harassment but women, trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people, people of color, and people with disabilities are targeted far more often. Sexual harassment unfortunately happens in many countries, including the US, but it is important to recognize the different ways in which a country defines and responds to it.

In some cases, what we define as harassment in the US may differ from how it is defined and addressed in another country. However, as a UCLA participant on a UCEAP or UCLA program, support and resources exist regardless. You might find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the health and safety resources available to you through your program. For information on UCLA’s official definition of sexual harassment, and the university’s responsibility to support students impacted by harassment abroad on a UC program, please visit the UCLA Title IX Office website.

Street harassment is a form of sexual harassment. Below are some points to consider that may help you respond to any sexual harassment you may encounter while abroad. Know that you are not alone, and you have program staff available to support you should you experience harassment while studying abroad.

What do I do if I experience street harassment?

  • It is common to feel nervous, scared, angry, or annoyed, but if you experience street harassment, your safety is most important. If possible, do what you can to get out of the situation. Try finding a “safe spot” like a store or a café. If you have a phone, call a friend, program staff, or a member of your host family so you have someone that can provide support. Check in with local women for tips on responding to street harassment.
  • Check out the hashtags #endSH or #YouOkSis to find solidarity online for people who have dealt with and are dealing with street harassment.
  • Another resource is How to Deal with Street Harassment Abroad by GoOverseas.com

General Resources