When going abroad, your student will be navigating a new culture with different behaviors, norms and values. It is likely that they will experience culture shock, as well as the negative and positives feelings of facing these differences at some point in their journey. We prepare students to expect this and encourage strategies to cope with these feelings.
We also encourage students to consider their diverse identities and how they may be perceived in their new culture. To help your student have the best experience possible, we encourage you to have a candid conversation about this with your student in preparation for going abroad. We suggest that your student do research on their host culture, and their current and historic attitudes towards people with similar identities. It is also important to help your student identify people abroad and at home who they trust to be part of their support network.
Here are some resources for you and your student:
- Diversity Abroad - destination guides, blogs and other resources for students
- Mobility International - resources for students with disability participating in international exchange
- RIT Office of Diversity and Inclusion - strategies for coping as well as how you can be a part of your student's support network
Additional resources are available in the Preparing to Go section.