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Syracuse University’s study abroad program offers over 60 countries to choose from for the fall and spring semesters. Many LGBTQ students at SU research these 60 choices while keeping their specific academic preferences, safety concerns and cultural considerations in mind.

“When you are queer, when you are a person of color, you recognize that racism and homophobia, and just hatred to who you are, is everywhere,” SU junior Russell Tom Sun said. “Regardless of where you go, (hate appears) in different forms.”

Tom Sun and SU sophomore Aree Clarke are currently navigating the study abroad research process. Tom Sun is studying in Madrid this spring, and Clarke has yet to decide on a location for next year.

“Doing the research ahead of time is really important. I don’t think (the research process) should be a point of restricting students on where they want to go,” said Rick Cieri, SU Abroad office campus outreach manager.

To help LGBTQ students with research, the SU Abroad office and the university’s LGBTQ Resource Center hold an annual information presentation. The presentation will occur this February, Cieri said. The SU Abroad website has a page dedicated to LGBTQ resources, including a map displaying the sexual orientation laws in each country, questions LGBTQ students should consider when deciding host countries and scholarships specifically for LGBTQ students.

“Sexuality is a very delicate topic and varies widely among cultures,” said Eduardo Machado, an SU sophomore and the secretary of Pride Union. “Having organizations and information gives the idea that if something happens to you because of your identity, there is something that is going to protect you.”

SU Abroad also has a global ambassador group of around 40 students who have already studied abroad. The group’s purpose is to share personal experiences and inform prospective study abroad students, who can make appointments in person or on Zoom. According to Cieri, there are several LGBTQ ambassadors who have visited various locations who can provide perspective on culture and safety.

Although SU Abroad offers these resources, both Clarke and Tom Sun said they would refer to other sources for information about possible locations before referring to SU resources. They both consulted their own friends in the LGBTQ community, Twitter and TikTok to gain personal accounts of each country. Tom Sun also read news articles to research the severity of violence against the LGBTQ community in varying locations.

“I’m sure the program is great, but it is institutionalized,” Clarke said. “I feel like honesty might not be the priority. They may not have answers to the questions that I have.”

Jaden Chen | Contributing Photographer Meghan Thompson | Design Editor

Clarke wanted “personal” and “unfiltered” answers about the specific experiences of Black LGBTQ students who go abroad, she said. She said intersectionality plays a role while researching abroad locations; she first considers how countries treat people of different races and secondly how those countries treat LGBTQ people.

Diversity within the study abroad group is also a priority to Clarke and Tom Sun. Clarke, a Black student, said that traveling with a non-diverse group might “skew” her experience and make it hard to enjoy herself. Tom Sun said that traveling with other LGBTQ students and students of color will provide him with a “bond” that would make him feel safer while traveling.

“There is always a heightened awareness of having to be extra careful and conscious,” said Tom Sun. “A lot of (non-LGBTQ and white) people around me unfortunately don’t share the same mindset because they don’t have to.”

SU Abroad has a rolling admissions policy and reviews applications as they’re completed. According to Cieri, the abroad program attempts to diversify the study abroad community through outreach programs and information sessions such as “The Black Experience Abroad” panel, which was held in November.

Although Clarke and Tom Sun consider their safety while studying abroad important, they both said they keep open minds to prioritize their academic and social experiences.

“I believe there are good and beautiful people everywhere,” Tom Sun said. “I would love to see the world, regardless of the risk, regardless of the safety factor. I would give every country an equal chance.”

Published on December 9, 2021 at 12:48 am