Category Stories: Wellness, Health, and Safety
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It’s Fun Studying Abroad (IFSA)
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IFSA is more than just an organization to help students study abroad. They made me feel less alone while I was abroad. The status of being a foreigner was definitely evident, regardless of the similarities between American and British cultures. A majority of students in London commuted to university, and therefore many friend groups formed…
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Strengthening My Queer Identities in London
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It can be quite hard to study abroad if you identify as a queer person, because not all countries are open towards queer and trans people. However, London is an amazing city where different kinds of gender expressions and sexual orientations are accepted by the majority of Londoners. As a result, my queer identities have…
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Living with Social Anxiety Abroad
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I always knew that I was an introverted person, but I did not know that I have social anxiety until the second year of college. I realized that had felt stressed and anxious in almost all social settings: from a theater rehearsal room, a Friday night party, or the cafeteria resounded with American small talks,…
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Why I Decided to Study Abroad in Cuba Despite the Travel Warning
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When I first considered my options for study abroad programs, the idea of living in Havana, Cuba for a semester was exciting but slightly nerve-racking. Would the already stressful process of studying abroad be harder with less access to communication back home? How would the tense and constantly-shifting relationship between the United States and Cuba…
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What’s It Like Being Queer in London?
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What is the experience of being queer abroad like? It’s about understanding the nuances of your sexual identity and finding a community for yourself. This is what I learned from my friend Julianna, a junior from Wesleyan University studying at Queen Mary, University of London. In the busy coffee shop on Queen Mary’s campus we talked…
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Engaging in Uncomfortable Discussions about Race
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In London, I’ve experienced similar challenges with micro-aggressions (aka “casual racism”) as I have in the U.S. Like the United States, the UK has its own set of racial tensions that inhabit college campuses and the greater London community. In the conversations that I have had with other students of color, similar sentiments about the…
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Facing Disabilities Abroad: A Few Steps
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In high school, I decided that I was going to study abroad. Besides Canada, I had never traveled outside of the United States, so I was determined to make it happen in college. I picked a college that prided itself on their study abroad experience and organized my graduation and major requirements to work with…
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Coming Out: The Abroad Edition
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I have always felt uncomfortable about the phrase “coming out” because of the inherent implication about there being a “normal” or “standard” sexuality, while others are regarded as “other” or “strange.” This past summer, I had to wrestle with this concept. I spent a lot of time thinking about my own sexuality. After many conversations…
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The Invisible Identity Survival Guide
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There’s always a lot on students’ minds when studying abroad, from general worries to specific.I want to keep in touch with family…but will people judge me if my calls home are in Spanish?I’m worried about getting lost…what happens if I have a sensory meltdown?I hope I make friends here… but what if they ask me…
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Coping with Recent Media Attention to Sexual Assault, and other Title IX Issues Abroad
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Please note: While this story was written by a student studying in London and offer London-specific resources at the end, the content is relevant for all students, regardless of program location.Recently I have noticed a lot of media attention to issues related to sexual harassment. Each time I visit a social media platform, I see…
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