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Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad

Culture and Identity Abroad

Cultural Adjustment

The more that you learn about your host country before studying abroad, the better prepared you will be for day-to-day interactions and in the event of an emergency overseas. Make sure to research the culture and customs of your host country. Some important questions to consider:

  • What is the weather like in your host country?
  • How do men and women typically dress?
  • How does the host country view Americans?
  • Is their water safe to drink?
  • Are there any safety concerns?

It is normal to experience some form of cultural adjustment while abroad. Cultural adjustment is the challenge of adapting to an unfamiliar environment, social, economic and educational systems, and unfamiliar foods, climate and language. While cultural adjustment can be frustrating and challenging, it builds problem solving skills, better communication skills, flexibility and initiative.

Everyone will face some sort of cultural adjustment during their time abroad. Every student will go through the honeymoon, frustration, adjustment, and acceptance stage.

Once you are aware of these stages, you will be better prepared to deal with them during a study abroad program. The key to coping with cultural adjustment for students and parents is patience. Do not be alarmed if in the first few days of your program, you are overwhelmed with the unfamiliar environment and feel worried or regretful. Parents should try to be supportive and assure students that what they are experiencing is normal and temporary. Remember your long-term goals for your experience!

Many students also encounter reverse cultural adjustment upon returning from their overseas experience. This comes as they adapt to jet lag, climate, food and social differences. As with culture shock, this process is temporary, and patience is crucial. One of the best ways for students to overcome reverse cultural adjustment is to get involved with international activities on campus. Please visit our Returning Students page for some of these opportunities.

We are excited about your upcoming adventure! Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad is ready to support all students seeking education abroad experiences. While most students anticipate using this time to explore other cultures, you may be surprised by just how much you learn about yourself. While preparing for your experience abroad, do not forget that you will also be carrying your identity with you. Below are some resources to support you in your personal journey at Clemson and abroad. If you have questions or concerns you want to discuss one-on-one, please schedule an appointment with your study abroad advisor via CU Navigate.

Cultures throughout the world vary in how they define and support various identities. As such, researching your host country prior to departure will help you prepare for your on-site experience.

 

Identity Abroad

We are excited about your upcoming adventure! Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad is ready to support all students seeking education abroad experiences. While most students anticipate using this time to explore other cultures, you may be surprised by just how much you learn about yourself. While preparing for your experience abroad, do not forget that you will also be carrying your identity with you. Below are some resources to support you in your personal journey at Clemson and abroad. If you have questions or concerns you want to discuss one-on-one, please schedule an appointment with your study abroad advisor via CU Navigate.

Cultures throughout the world vary in how they define and support various identities. As such, researching your host country prior to departure will help you prepare for your on-site experience.

  • First Generation College Student

    As the first person in your family to go to college, you have already begun forging a new path for yourself in the world. Though the idea of studying abroad may seem intimidating and unattainable, you are uniquely equipped to justify your preparedness to study abroad. However, you will also face unique challenges while preparing for your international adventure. Please refer to the resources below for guidance about how to plan for your experience and lead conversations about studying abroad with your family members.

    • Take a look at this helpful guidebook for first-generation students considering studying abroad.
    • FIRST! is Clemson’s program designed to support first-generation students by connecting them with mentorship, career development resources, and social opportunities.
    • This blog from a first-generation student studying abroad in Brazil provides helpful tips about navigating the financial, social, and academic aspects of your experience!

    Scholarships

    If you select a third-party program, investigate your provider’s website! CAPA and USAC both have scholarships for first generation students and underrepresented students in study abroad.

  • Gender

    Whether you have traveled before or this is your first time abroad, it is important to consider your host country’s cultural attitude towards gender identity. Gender roles in your host country may differ from those in the U.S. Without compromising your own intersectional identity and values, it will be essential to educate yourself about cultural gender roles within your host community in order to understand how your gender identity and personal views may be interpreted by your host culture. This will allow you to make a sensitive and culturally informed program selection and better prepare for your experience in your chosen host country.

    Resources for Women

    • For advice and recommendations on how to stay safe while traveling, please see the U.S. Department of State’s page with Information for Women Travelers.
    • Check out Diversity Abroad’s article about Women Going Abroad to identify the most important questions you should ask before and during your trip.
    • Don’t hesitate to check out our on-campus clubs and student organizations for women. This will enable you to connect with other women who have studied abroad and maybe even in the same country where you will study. Knowing that you have a supportive community of like-minded women on campus before you leave will equip you to embark on your adventure abroad.
      • Clemson Chapter of Leading Women of Tomorrow
      • PAWE: People Advancing Women’s Empowerment at Clemson

    Resources for Transgender and/or Transitioning Students

    Before selecting your program, take advantage of ILGA legislation maps global updates from TransRespect.org to evaluate which locations might be more unsafe for gender-diverse students. Research travel procedures, national laws, cultural norms in your host country, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ in the city where you will be living. Identifying local organizations that serve and advocate 

    for LGBTQ+ students may help you get a sense of what life is like for trans students living in your study abroad destination. Carefully read the information on your program website to find out more about your international health insurance plan. If you are undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), contact your health insurance carrier to inquire about your medications, and research the legality of your medications in your host country.

    If you don’t have a passport or need to renew your existing passport, consider researching the possibility of selecting your gender marker on your U.S. passport as Male (M), Female (F), or Another Gender Identity (X). Your selected gender marker doesn’t need to match your supporting documents. However, make sure you investigate the visa regulations of your destination country. Not all countries accept the X gender marker, and it could affect your chances of qualifying for a visa.

    Dating and Sexual Health and Safety Resources while Abroad

    • Dating abroad can be a great way to improve your language skills, advance your understanding of the culture you are in, and enjoy your experience abroad. However, it is important to note that the "rules" of dating vary from culture to culture. You may encounter differences in the language used to express affection or unfamiliar cultural norms related to physical contact and public displays of affection. Consider the implicit messages you are communicating, messages that you may not intend to send in your own cultural context. Evaluating societal differences when it comes to these relationships and modifying your behavior accordingly is part of learning and relating to another culture. Take a look at this ​​page from Brandeis University to learn about some of the most important considerations to keep in mind before and while dating abroad.
    • Most students don’t think about sexual health before studying abroad. Whether or not you are sexually active now, your desires and attitudes may change while you are abroad. Either way, it is important to be prepared. Research the availability of contraceptives in your country and the cultural norms surrounding sex and relationships. Check out this brief article to find out what you should know about sexual health before going abroad. Finally, don’t hesitate to take advantage of campus resources such as Clemson’s Sexual Health and Gynecology Services, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and student organizations focused on sexual health and gender equality.
    • Women traveling abroad can be at an increased risk for sexual violence; however, men should also be careful and vigilant. For more information about how to protect yourself and manage an incident of sexual violence, reference this report from the U.S. government’s Overseas Security Advisory Counsel.

    See our In an Emergency and Traveler Wellness pages for information about Clemson-specific support and steps to take in the event of sexual violence or harassment.

    Add something about researching visa regulations of the destination country and the possibility that X won't be accepted.

  • LGBTQ+

    Studying abroad as part of the LGBTQ+ community can present unique opportunities and challenges in exploring a new culture. Every country around the world has varying laws, customs, and beliefs about the LGBTQ community, and therefore will react and treat LGBTQ travelers in a unique way. Below, you will find some resources to help prepare and support you as you navigate the study abroad process.

    On-Campus Resources

    • Check out the LGBTQ resources and programs offered by Clemson’s Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center.
    • When you are browsing our program list, look closely at the program websites for the resources offered by some of our third-party providers about being LGBTQ abroad. Scour your program website for details and/or talk with your advisor to find out which programs may be the best fit for you.

    Guides

    • Take a look at this AIFS blog about LGBTQ+ students studying abroad to find tips about how to choose your program and how to check out the queer scene in your host city when you arrive.
    • 5 Tips for Finding LGBTQ-Friendly Study Abroad Locations Check out this guide from one of our third-party providers about selecting your study abroad location.

    International Organizations and Resources

    Scholarships

    Unsure of how to talk with your study abroad friends about allyship? Want to learn how to support a friend studying abroad? Register for Ally Training at the Gantt Center. Check out this blog from USAC to educate yourself on the Dos and Don'ts of Being an Ally During Study Abroad.

  • BIPOC Students

    While abroad, you may find yourself to be part of the racial and/or ethnic majority or minority group, which could be different than what you are used to in your home community. This could bring a tremendous opportunity for self-discovery and challenge your notion of race and ethnicity. It is important to be aware of how your identity is viewed in your host culture, and we encourage you to conduct research on your host country’s history, policy, and current perspectives when it comes to race and ethnicity.

  • Heritage Seekers

    For some students, studying abroad in a particular country or region can offer them a unique perspective into their host country and heritage. They may study in a country of their ancestral heritage for many valid reasons. It could be that their intended host country is somewhat familiar, they want to learn more about their cultural history, or they want to advance their understanding of how their American identity changes how and where they fit into their ancestral culture. If you have been curious to examine your ancestral history more closely through study abroad, the following resources may help you to prepare for your experience.

    • Check out this blog to discover what one Thai American student learned while studying abroad in Thailand.
    • This page details one Latina student’s experience traveling in South America and the ways in which it changed her perception of her heritage.
    • Take a look at Diversity Abroad’s Tips for Heritage Seekers Traveling Abroad.
    • To learn more about the heritage seeker perspective, read this article about what it means to be a heritage seeker and the potential impacts of your choice to explore your heritage abroad.
  • International Students

    International students at Clemson can and do study abroad! To go abroad, you must work with a study abroad advisor and your international student advisor. Do not be afraid to ask questions – we are here to help!

    As part of the planning process for study abroad, you should make sure you understand all entry requirements to your intended study abroad destination. This also applies to any countries outside of the program that you may wish to visit while abroad.

    There are additional considerations to studying abroad while you are a J-1 or F-1 visa holder in the U.S., including:

    • Depending on your country of citizenship, you may be required to obtain a visa for your destination country. In some cases, international students may be required to return to their home country to apply for the study abroad visa.
      • The Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad and Office of International Services have limited resources and cannot advise on any non-U.S. student visas, so most of the research will have to be on your own. We recommend contacting the nearest embassy or consulate of your destination country and looking at direct government websites (.gov).
      • Consider the diplomatic relationships between your home country and the destination country. If there are strained or unusual political situations, it might be more difficult for you to get a visa to study abroad. If you have questions about political situations affecting your ability to get a visa, you are strongly encouraged to speak with your adviser early in the process.
    • There are also considerations to ensure you maintain F-1 or J-1 visa status in the U.S. while you study abroad (for example, if your visa is set to expire while you are abroad). Your IS adviser can help you understand the necessary steps.
    • In addition to any required visa for your destination country, you will also need several other documents to travel: a valid passport that expires at least six months after the end of your program, a valid U.S. visa, and your most recent I-20/DS-2019 with a valid travel signature (for re-entry to the U.S.).
    • Review travel information on the International Services website:
      • Before traveling, make photocopies of ALL documents: passport, I-20/DS-2019, visa stamp, I-94 record. Save digital copies, leave a set of copies at home or with a friend and carry a copy with you separate from your originals. Lost or stolen documents are much easier to replace if you have digital copies.
  • Students with Disabilities

    Cultural attitudes towards individuals with disabilities vary globally. Some host countries and cities may have more accessible architecture than others. Even before you are accepted into a program, you may want to discuss your disabilities and required accommodations with your study abroad advisor. They can assist in connecting you to programs that can meet your needs and provide a space for you to be successful in your study abroad experience.

    • Check in with Clemson’s Student Accessibility Services to discuss how any accommodations you might require can be organized on your study abroad program.
    • Check out this guide from the CDC for Travelers with Disabilities. It includes information and resources from governmental and nongovernmental organizations to guide you through every step of the international travel process.
    • Have you ever wondered which countries are most accommodating to visitors and residents in wheelchairs? As you are evaluating your program options, take a peek at this list of some of the most wheelchair-accessible countries.
    • If you are considering bringing your emotional support animal abroad, check out this guide from Western Washington University and talk with your program director(s).
    • This scholarship from the Alexander Graham Bell Association for students with hearing loss may apply toward a study abroad experience.
    • This blog recounts the journey of a group of blind students who made the long trek to Machu Picchu.

    Check out Clemson’s student organization that advocates for students with disabilities on and off Clemson’s campus!

  • Students with High Financial Need

    Students with high financial need may wonder how they can fit studying abroad into their budget. While these experiences may seem like an added expense, early planning can make the process more attainable. In fact, some programs are less expensive than a semester of Clemson in-state tuition! Scholarships specifically for students with high financial needs are also available to offset costs.

    • Meet with Financial Aid to determine how your current Financial Aid package may be utilized for study abroad programs.
    • Visit the PHCEA Scholarships Page to learn more about numerous other scholarships.
    • Check with your College or Academic Department to see if there is funding available for study abroad.
    • The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad through awards of up to $5,000.
    • Reach out to Clemson’s
    • The Fund for Education Abroad invests in deserving U.S. undergraduates who are least likely to study abroad including students with high financial need.
    • This Diversity Abroad resource includes information on choosing locations with lower costs of living, using your Financial Aid package, applying for scholarships and personal fundraising.

    Most third-party providers have specific funding/scholarships available for students participating in their programs. Look into these opportunities, too.

  • Non-traditional Students

    As a non-traditional student, you may have responsibilities, such as full-time jobs, families, extenuating financial obligations, etc. These responsibilities are important to consider when selecting a study abroad experience. A variety of program types are available to meet the diverse needs of non-traditional students, from short-term experiences for those unable to take extended time away from a job to programs allowing spouses and dependents to join.

    Check out this blog by a student studying abroad in London with CEA to learn more about what it’s like to study abroad as a non-traditional student.

  • Underrepresented Majors

    Students from certain majors, such as STEM fields, are often underrepresented in study abroad programs. These students may feel that there are no programs available for their majors or that studying abroad will delay their graduation. See the resources below for how to make a study/intern abroad experience part of your academic plan!

    • Faculty-directed programs include specific coursework in a subject area often tied to the degree requirements for a major for ease of transferability of coursework.
    • Look for specific STEM-related programs, such as Clemson’s partnership with the Global Engineering Education Exchange or Engineering and Science-based programs through our approved third-party providers.
    • This Diversity Abroad article dispels the common misconception that STEM students cannot study abroad due to their academic schedules.
    • Check out this article to uncover the benefits of studying abroad as a STEM major! Hint: You will make yourself more marketable upon graduation!
  • Military, Veteran and ROTC

    Military, Veteran, ROTC and military-affiliated students have used their benefits to help fund their credit-bearing education abroad experience. It is imperative to plan if you would like to use your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to help cover the cost of your overseas program. Work closely with your Study Abroad Coordinator and the Veterans Benefits Coordinator to find a program that fits the requirements of the VA and your education abroad goals.

    • VA Post-9/11 GI Bill: Study Abroad Program - This publication from the Veteran Benefits Administration provides guidance on how the VA could potentially provide funding for your education abroad experience based on program type.
    • Gilman-McCain Scholarship - This is a congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and is named after the late senator John S. McCain from Arizona. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child dependents of active-duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
    • ROTC Project GO - This initiative provides scholarships for ROTC students for critical language study.
  • Student Athletes

    Studying abroad as a student-athlete may require additional considerations, such as a term that works with your sport, access to a gym or training facility abroad, etc.

    • Make sure you talk to your coach and athletics academic advisor so that they can support you in your search for a study abroad program that will meet your academic and training requirements.
    • Check out the NCAA’s website for success stories of athletes who have gone abroad during college and participated in volunteer, study abroad, and even athletic competitions.
    • Read a story from a former student-athlete about How to Study Abroad as a College Athlete.
A group of students in circle joining hands