Gender and Gender Expression Abroad
Concepts of gender and gender roles can vary greatly from place to place across the U.S. and the world. There are differing ideas about family, age, norms, and everyday customs that are rooted in history, religion, or politics. You may see these concepts at work in a classroom, homestay, or internship placement. It’s important to be prepared for this new experience by understanding the laws, norms, customs, and attitudes in your new surroundings. Our office strives for inclusion and safety for all students at all locations, regardless of their gender or gender expression. We acknowledge the intersectional components of overlapping identities, and how they may affect an individual’s experiences in each place. We therefore invite every student to reflect on and research how their gender may be perceived in different locations and reach out to our office to discuss specific concerns.
The following reflection questions may be helpful to consider:
- What are some relevant laws/legal statutes that protect people of my gender or gender identity? What are the prevailing attitudes of the local people?
- What gender-inclusive accommodations do I require? What kind of housing situation would I prefer? What kind of housing options are available at the locations I am interested in?
- What clothes or special items do I need to pack? How can I make sure they are reflective of my expression and identity? What can I buy on site during my program?
- What about my health and safety? What special medical services or medications should I plan to find abroad? How can the site staff support me?
- In what contexts will I interact with local people? How do locals usually comport themselves in these contexts?
- Gender roles can be apparent at your internship placement. What are the clothing or fashion norms of the area or location I am visiting? Are there specific requirements for my internship placement?
- How can I keep myself safe when I go out for fun? Am I comfortable travelling alone?
- What sorts of interactions are there between men and women? How can I comport myself in a way that keeps myself and the people around me safe?
- I’m thinking about dating. What should I know about dating norms in the country where I’m going?
- I want to get involved in political movements to advance gender equality in my location. Where do I start?
Gender and Gender Expression Resources
BU Resources & Community:
Additional Resources:
Health
Planning ahead is important when it comes to your health. If you have health care providers at home, be sure to set a plan with them to make sure you can stay on top of your physical and mental health. If you are taking any medication or hormones, you need to make sure that you have enough of your prescriptions to last you through your time abroad, or that you have access to those while abroad. If you have a mental health counselor or therapist, talk to them about the possibility of virtual counseling to make sure you have continued support.
Students are covered by GeoBlue International Health Insurance when participating in our international BU Study Abroad programs. We encourage students to contact GeoBlue for pre-trip planning, so you have a sense of what to expect and have plenty of time to prepare you would like to find out more information about your health insurance o before arriving in your host city. This service is available to students participating in an international program and can be accessed before you are registered for GeoBlue. To learn more about what services are covered while you are abroad, you can visit our Health & Safety Information page. For more info on what you will have access to while abroad, you can also reach out to your program manager. Remember that nothing that your body does is shameful, and site staff are always there to help and support you.
Dating & Relationships
When talking about gender norms and roles around the world, these conversations also extend to dating norms, relationships between people, and local customs surrounding marriage, sex, and relationships. It should be noted that dating practices and attitudes towards premarital and casual sex can be vastly different from norms in the U.S. Every person abroad should take care when entering dating or sexual relationships, and even in everyday interactions. Students studying abroad should take care not to endanger or act inappropriately with others in their interactions. Dating apps should be used with caution. We encourage all students to do as much research as they can about local dating and sexual norms, as well as customs that govern relationships between unmarried people.
Sexual Health and Safety
Your health and safety are of the utmost importance. You should have freedom from discrimination and violence when engaging in sexual activity, as well as an ability to access necessary resources. You should have the space to explore your sexuality without stigma, but keep in mind that you have less knowledge around the country’s sexual culture as a foreigner. Make sure to stay safe and be vigilant. It can be helpful to research local hook-up and dating culture, as well as your access to the health system for any needs.
Students are covered by GeoBlue International Health Insurance when participating in our international BU Study Abroad programs. We encourage students to contact GeoBlue for pre-trip planning, so you have a sense of what to expect and have plenty of time to prepare before arriving in your host city. This service is available to students participating in an international program and can be accessed before you are registered for GeoBlue. To learn more about what services are covered while you are abroad you can visit our Health & Safety Information page. If you would like to find out more information about your health insurance or what you will have access to while abroad, you can also reach out to your program manager. BU Study Abroad staff both in Boston and on site are always there to support you.
Considerations for Women (Cis-gender, femme presenting, non femme presenting, androgynous, trans-women)
When visiting a different country for the first time, we encourage all students to keep an open mind toward the local culture and customs. Women travelers may notice differences in how they’re treated by locals in multiple contexts, from casual and passing interactions to closer working relationships.
You may find some differences between the U.S. and your new location in how people generally act and interact. Many of these are based in religious, cultural, and historically held notions of gender, modesty, and wellbeing. Some of these differences may feel oppressive or scary, and it’s ok to disagree with them. However, openly going against these norms them could be seen as disrespectful of the local culture and the people who live there. Taking small steps to observe, recognize, and respect these norms will give you more opportunities to engage more directly with your new location.
There may unfortunately experience instances of misogyny and sexism while studying abroad. Instances of sexism can come up in casual conversation in the home, in the workplace, or while you’re out and about. Street harassment and sexual assault are also prevalent in many parts of the world, but it can be more intense in some places. It is important when going out that you have a plan for staying safe. This can mean going out with a buddy or making sure there is always someone who knows where you are. Being safe while abroad is the most important priority students should have. Understanding how to best remain safe will better your experience and allow you the fullest possible experience.
Additional Resources:
Considerations for Men (cis gender, masc presenting, non masc presenting, androgynous, or trans men)
Every student can benefit from studying abroad, and although trends show that women make up the majority of college students studying abroad, men have just as much to gain from studying abroad, and we fully encourage every male student to explore their study abroad opportunities. It is important to understand that if you choose to study abroad, you may be vastly outnumbered by women on your program. Men studying abroad have every opportunity to join in the local culture and fully immerse in a new culture. It is important to understand how concepts of masculinity and men’s role in society varies from place to place. It can be helpful to research the interaction in your host country between men; you may find that it is common in some locations for heterosexual male friends to hold hands, hug or greet each other with kisses.
It is also important to keep in mind that it is possible that you have to adjust how you spend time with female friends.
Some locations may have more restrictive social rules when it comes to unmarried individuals spending time alone together. You may find that there are significant differences in concepts of masculinity, dress, and gender roles in other countries. We recommend that you do some research into these aspects of daily life as you’re planning your time abroad, but we hope none will be a barrier to enjoying a study abroad experience to the fullest.
There may unfortunately experience instances of misogyny and sexism while studying abroad. Instances of sexism can come up in casual conversation in the home, in the workplace, or while you’re out and about. Street harassment and sexual assault are also prevalent in many parts of the world, but it can be more intense in some places. It is important when going out that you have a plan for staying safe. This can mean going out with a buddy or making sure there is always someone who knows where you are. Being safe while abroad is the most important priority students should have. Understanding how to best remain safe will better your experience and allow you the fullest possible experience.
Considerations for Non-Binary, Gender Non-Conforming and Gender Fluid Students
As a non-binary, gender nonconforming, or gender fluid student studying abroad, you may face new or different challenges that you haven’t faced before. Language barriers, housing, flying, and more can all affect your experience differently as a person who doesn’t identify with the gender binary. We hope to provide you with some resources to help you prepare the best you can for your experience to make sure it is as positive as possible.
Meeting new people and adapting to a new environment can present many challenges. Dealing with issues like misgendering and coming out can be exhausting but reading and talking to other students about their experiences can be a big help when it comes to navigating difficult conversations. Understanding gender and pronouns is something that varies by language. If you are studying in a country where the primary language is not English, it can be helpful to research what kind of language you would like others to use in reference to yourself. Understanding your gender in foreign languages can be a huge asset to feeling comfortable when meeting new people in a new country. In many languages, there are new strides being made in gender inclusivity, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone will be aware of these new additions. Your site staff can be a great resource in understanding your gender and pronouns in the local language.
Internship programs offer students a great opportunity to begin their professional careers. One aspect of the workplace environment worth considering is dress code. It can be helpful to do some research beforehand into the kind of dress that is appropriate for your field in the city you’ll be working in. If you are concerned about being able to fit this standard while maintaining your authentic gender expression, your program manager can connect you with the internship staff to make sure you are as prepared as possible. Your site staff is there to help you while you are on-site, and the staff in Boston is always available to connect with you or to connect you with alumni that you can talk to as well.
Additional Resources:
Considerations for Transgender Students
As a transgender student studying abroad, you may face new or different challenges that you haven’t faced before. Flying, housing, interning, and more can all be a different experience for you compared to cis-gender students. We hope to provide you with some resources to help you prepare the best you can for your experience to make sure it is as positive as possible.
There is an important distinction between laws of the land and prevailing attitudes of local people. While sexist or transphobic discrimination may be outlawed, or individuals may be protected under the law, that does not necessarily transfer to how the local people treat those individuals. Understanding prevailing attitudes can give insight into how your preferred gender expression may be perceived. It is important to recognize the entrenched cultural norms of your new location and try to predict how they may affect you.
An important facet of the study abroad experience is the housing situation. The housing in the program of your choice can make a huge difference during your time abroad. If you are interested in gender inclusive housing, make sure to discuss the housing options with the program manager when considering a program. Program managers are a great resource for learning more about the support structures in place at each of our sites that will work best for you, so never hesitate to reach out.
Internship programs offer students a great opportunity to begin their professional careers. Dealing with issues like misgendering and coming out in the workplace can be exhausting, but we are here to help you in any way we can, both before you depart and while you’re on site, including connecting you with program alumni to discuss their experiences.
Additional Resources:
- Transgender on the Job: first-hand account of being transgender in the workplace.
- Trans Unite: a comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community
Flight Tips for Non-cisgender Students
There are some important things to keep in mind for non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender fluid students and transgender students when it comes to flying. The first is your travel documents; airlines require your first and last name as well as your gender on your reservation to match your passport. Be sure to update your identification to reflect your current documentation. When you’re at the airport in the U.S. you have the right to waive the Advanced Imaging security screen and can request a pat-down by an officer whose gender presentation most aligns with yours. You are also not required to remove any articles of clothing, including prosthetics, in airport security, but keep in mind that prosthetics and bound chests could be flagged by security for extra screenings.
Additional Resources:
Safety
All people have the right to live their lives free of harassment or assault based on their gender or gender expression. Those who do experience gender-based violence, including at a location abroad, have the right to seek confidential and compassionate resources and support. Exercising caution when in a new environment is crucial, especially in situations involving alcohol. Site staff at all BU Study Abroad sites will orient all students to medical and safety protocols and be able to respond in real time to incidents. The Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Center (SARP) at BU provides free, confidential, and responsive support to any member of the BU community who has experienced trauma, and they are prepared to help those abroad.
While we have not captured every gender or resource on this list, we encourage you to reach out to our office to discuss any questions or concerns that you might have as you prepare for your study abroad experience. If you would like additional resources, or if you have found your own resources that other students could benefit from, please don’t hesitate to contact us at abroad@bu.edu.
