While every prospective study abroad student weighs a number of factors when preparing to live in a new and unfamiliar country, underrepresented student groups must ask themselves a unique set of questions when considering what external factors may impact their overall experience and safety abroad. Students should have equal access to study abroad regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, financial background, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Studying abroad can be not only a life-changing educational experience, it can also present an opportunity to further awareness and acceptance of your community on a global scale. Our goal is to provide all students with the resources required to facilitate the safest and most fulfilling international education experience possible.
Students should research relevant laws (where applicable) and attitudes in their host country prior to departure to best prepare themselves for the day-to-day realities of life on-site and identify support resources available to them. In addition to the resource pages provided below, all approved Tulane study abroad students will be required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO). The PDO will cover general logistics for all study abroad students but will also give students the option to attend a series of Identity-Based Pre-Departure Sessions which address various elements of identity and how they may influence your semester, summer, or year abroad. Students can also meet with a Study Abroad Advisor or Peer Advisor to discuss navigating identity abroad.
After being approved to study abroad, students will attend both a general pre-departure session covering next steps in the application process, course registration, code of conduct, and other important logistics, as well as two identity-based sessions of their choosing.
See below for a list of our available sessions and accompanying online resources:
Tulane is a member of Diversity Abroad. Diversity Abroad is the leading professional consortium of educational institutions, government agencies, for-profit and non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusive good practices that increase access, achieve equitable diversity and foster inclusive excellence in global education. Diversity Abroad provides comprehensive student guides that are available to all Tulane students. If you would like to access Diversity Abroad student guides or other materials, please email osa@tulane.edu and we will gladly provide you with login credentials.
The following accordions link to outside resources that may be beneficial to you.
Some students may choose to study in a country that is somewhat familiar to them due to ancestry or cultural heritage. For these students, described as heritage seekers, study abroad can be an opportunity to connect with family and personal history and/or gain insight into their home culture or ancestry. While it can be fulfilling to find connection in a foreign community, it may also be difficult to navigate cultural distinctions and identity. To help cope with the mix of emotions and experiences heritage seekers may face, we have provided these resources.
International students are able to study abroad on short-term programs and semester/year-long programs. In order to maintain their student visa status in the U.S., international students must typically study abroad on Tulane-approved programs and not via a leave of absence. International students interested in study abroad should make an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor and their advisor in the Office of International Students and Scholars to discuss the implications of study abroad on their F-1 or J-1 visa.
