Regardless of your own religious or spiritual beliefs, you may be exposed to different beliefs during your time abroad as it relates to religion and spirituality. Remember that you will be expected to follow the local laws and cultural norms of your host country. In some countries, laws, customs, dress and diet may reflect the values of the dominant religion. If your religious or spiritual community is important to you, you may want to seek out this community while abroad. Depending on where you study abroad, you may be able to connect with your religious community abroad.
The following reflection questions may be helpful to consider:
- What is the dominant religion in my host country? Will I be a part of the religious majority or minority in my host country?
- How might my religious practice or identity be affected if I study in a country where the dominant religion is not my own?
- Do any parts of my identity conflict with my host country’s religious values or attitudes?
- Are there any laws regarding religion? Is there a separation between religion and government?
- How tolerant is the culture in my host country of other religions, atheists and agnostics?
- Is it safe for me to wear religious symbols or clothing?
- Even if I do not practice the religion in my host country, how can I respect the religion and participate in religious cultural events?
- If I have religious dietary restrictions, can they be accommodated in my host country and program housing? Who can I contact to discuss my specific religious requirements?
- If you are living in a homestay, are you open to living in a household with a different religious background than yours?
- Will I be able to find places of worship in my host country?
- Are there any religious holidays that will take place during my stay?
Religion, Spirituality & Creed Resources
It is important to consider the role that religion and spirituality play within a culture, especially if the major religion of that country differs from your own. Doing research before you arrive in your host country can help you gain a better understanding of the people and culture, while giving you a sense of what to expect during your time abroad as it relates to your own religious practice and spirituality.
BU Resources & Community:
Religious Life at Boston University
Ambassador Program: Ask our Study Abroad Ambassadors about their experiences abroad!
Additional Resources:
Dietary Restrictions & Accommodations
Just like with other accommodations, the earlier our staff knows about any dietary requests, the better. If you adhere to a specific diet—such as a kosher, vegetarian, or vegan diet—or require accommodations due to your religious beliefs or creed, please reach out to your Program Manager and/or Site Director so they can provide resources and adjust things as needed. We will do our best to make necessary accommodations for you.
Additional Considerations:
- Take a look at the program calendar – do the dates or times of program activities conflict with major holidays or religious practices?
- Do you have any dietary restrictions to consider? Will you need dietary accommodations?
- Will students have access to a kitchen or food preparation equipment, or will you buy the majority of your meals?
- Does the cuisine in the host country commonly use nuts/shellfish/gluten/dairy or other common allergens?
BU Resources & Community:
Chabad Jewish Student Organization
Hillel Students Organization
Islamic Society
Veg(an/Vegetarian) Club
Additional Resources:
IES-Country Specific Diversity Resources – Provides specific articles on dietary concerns in each country
Places of Worship
While we do not have an exhaustive list of places of worship for each country and religion, we encourage you to have a plan in place before arriving in your host city. Many of our Site Directors can provide information from past students and point you to other local resources in your host city. Your own place of worship might be able to provide suggestions, and there may even be services in English if you are not proficient in the local language.
Considerations for Agnostic, Atheist or Secular Students
Depending on where you study abroad, religion may play a more significant cultural role than in your home country. It is important to keep an open mind, and we encourage you to learn about the dominant religion in your host country before you depart and while you are in-country.
Considerations for Buddhist Students
As a Buddhist student, it’s important to consider the role religion plays in your current life and how it will be affected abroad. Will you want to continue practicing your religion while abroad? Is it a dominant or known religion in your host country? Will there be any major Buddhist holidays during my stay? In previous experiences, some students have expressed being unprepared to have conversations with host families regarding their religious beliefs, especially if they are different from a dominant religion in the host country. We encourage you to consider how you will handle such conversations in a new country. If you are interested in seeking out a Buddhist community in your host country, we encourage you to seek out local Buddhist temples, seek out local groups, or even Facebook groups to help connect with others.
BU Resources & Community:
Zen Mindfulness Community
Additional Resources:
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in China
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in South Korea
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in France
World Buddhist Directory – directory of Buddhist centers around the world
Considerations for Christian Students
Considerations for Hindu Students
It can be difficult in a new environment to find your religious community, especially if there isn’t a very large community of others that share your faith. If you are interested, it can be helpful to research a little about the Hindu community in your new city. We encourage you to look for local Hindu temples, services, and Facebook groups that can help you connect with others.
It is completely normal to go through some feelings of loneliness while studying abroad, and being separated from your normal religious practices can make that even more pronounced. Planning ahead and finding ways to connect with your religious community abroad can make a positive impact on your experience.
BU Resources & Community:
Hindu Student Council
Additional Resources:
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in Mexico
World Hindu Temple Directory – directory of Hindu temples around the world
Considerations for Jewish Students
It can be difficult in a new environment to find your religious community, especially if there isn’t a very large community of others that share your faith. If you are interested, it can be helpful to research a little about the Jewish community in your new city. This could include local synagogues or services, Facebook groups, or kosher options at restaurants and supermarkets. Even if you don’t consider yourself very religious, it can be nice to participate in organized events for the High Holidays to feel more at home. If you find yourself feeling distant from your community, it can be helpful to share your practices with other students studying with you; hosting a shabbat dinner in a dorm or with your host family can be a great source of connection with your faith. It is completely normal to experience some feelings of loneliness while studying abroad and being separated from your normal religious practices can make that even more pronounced. Be sure to share any dietary restrictions with your Program Manager and/or Site Director to ensure that those needs can be accommodated.
While BU is committed to providing safe and inclusive programming, you may find that you experience instances of anti-Semitism while abroad. If you do experience this, BU Study Abroad is available to support you. Additionally, planning ahead and finding ways to connect with your religious community abroad can make a positive impact on your experience.
BU Resources & Community:
BU Hillel
Chabad Jewish Student Organization
Hillel Students Organization
Additional Resources:
Connecting with the Jewish Community Abroad
Go Abroad’s 7 Best Resources to Share with Jewish Students Traveling Abroad
Jewish Communities Abroad
Jewish Virtual Library – Locate synagogues around the world
KAHAL Abroad – Resources for Jewish students studying abroad
Considerations for Muslim Students
Your experience as a Muslim student abroad can vary depending on where your program takes place. We suggest researching the Muslim community in your host city and locating mosques in your neighborhood. Be sure to share any dietary restrictions with your Program Manager and/or Site Director to ensure that those needs can be accommodated. Our site staff can also assist with looking for and reserving spaces for your daily prayers. It is completely normal to go through some feelings of loneliness while studying abroad, and being separated from your normal religious practices can make that even more pronounced.
While BU is committed to providing safe and inclusive programming, you may find that you experience instances of Islamaphobia while abroad. If you do experience this, BU Study Abroad is available to support you. Additionally, planning ahead and finding ways to connect with your religious community abroad can make a positive impact on your experience.
BU Resources & Community:
Islamic Society
Additional Resources:
Being Muslim in Japan – Muslims expressing their experience in Japan
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in France
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in Italy
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in Spain
Diversity Abroad – Religion & Spiritual Students in Australia
Islamic Finder – Guide to prayer times and mosques around the world
Muslims Abroad – Guide created by a Rutgers University student studying abroad as a Muslim Woman
Reflections on studying abroad as a Muslim Woman– focused on a student studying in South Korea
Zabihah Halal Restaurants Around the World – Guide to Halal Restaurants Around the World
If you don’t feel represented on this page or if you feel that other resources or terminology should be included, please reach out to us to contribute your thoughts. This is a living document that is a work in progress that we’d like you to collaborate with us on. 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.
