Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Abroad

Silhouettes on a map

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources for Education Abroad

Maryville College Commitment to Diversity

The Maryville College Statement of Purpose establishes a commitment to diversity:

“Maryville College is, in essence, a community for learning. This community includes persons with a variety of interests, backgrounds, beliefs, and nationalities.”

The Center for Global Engagement is equally devoted to Maryville College’s Vision for Diversity and thrives to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all students at International House. Beyond creating a safe space for all students on campus, the Center for Global Engagement advises students on the benefits and necessity of a global experience in today’s society. While all students reap benefits from study abroad, every student abroad faces a new cultural context that includes different historical and cultural understandings of diversity and inclusion around issues like race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religion, and disability. Customs, beliefs, laws, facilities, and social practices are likely different than in Tennessee and Maryville College.  Students may worry about how they will be perceived in their host country.  Sometimes students have the experience of being in the minority for the first time, while others may be concerned how their race, sexual orientation, language, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. will impact their experience.    

Your Identities

Before departing for your global experience, it is important to think about your identity and how it may feel to be YOU while abroad. How your identity defines you here at Maryville College may be completely different than how it defines you in your host country and you may experience new stereotypes and questions about yourself. Research your host country thoroughly, after which you should examine your expectations and how they may or may not be realistic. Be sure to consider challenges that may arise and how you may deal with them in a new environment, far from your family and friends. In order to better understand what your experience may be like and create strategies for having the best international experience possible, be sure to speak with  I-House staff or a Study Abroad Ambassador. 

Maryville College Brochures

The Center for Global Engagement partnered with diverse students, organizations and other campus offices to compile these resources:

Questions to Ask Yourself

Your safety and well-being are important to us! As you consider your own identities, think about these questions in relation to your prospective education abroad destination – 

  • What will you feel comfortable/uncomfortable talking about in that country?
  • How will you react if aspects of your identity are received negatively, or if someone makes a comment that offends you?
  • Is it safe for you to go to that location? Are parts of your personal identity are punishable by law in that country?
  • How will your identity change in that country? How might you navigate that change while you are there and once you get back home?

Resources

Some of these resources can be found in our brochures, but as we find new and relevant resources, we will add them here. Learn more about diversity and inclusion abroad by checking out these resources from Diversity Abroad and others:

Race & Ethnicity

International Students

High Financial Need

Questions to consider if you have high financial need –

  • What is the cost breakdown for my program?  What’s included and what must I budget extra for? If you don’t see a sample budget sheet on the program brochure online, please ask the CGE to send you one!
  • What financial aid is available to me for my study abroad or internship program? (different program types give you access to more or less aid!)
  • What scholarships are available to me – from MC, study abroad program provider, or other outside sources?
  • How much should I bring for personal expenses?
  • Which type of housing is a better deal for me related to meals? (for example, is a stipend provided? a meal plan? or host family that provides meals?

For more information on funding your experience abroad with scholarships, visit our scholarships page.  For more information regarding students with a high financial need, we encourage you to visit the below section of the Diversity Abroad website.

Mobility & Accessibility

Maryville College is committed to supporting students with disabilities in all aspects of their MC experience and we encourage you to explore the rewarding education opportunity study abroad offers. This includes students with disabilities of all types.

Just as cultures differ, though, so does the degree of access and readily available disability services in the many countries and communities you might consider for your study abroad experience. Students with disabilities have successfully participated in many study abroad programs; however, not every study abroad experience is a good fit from an accessibility perspective.

Every country has a different attitude towards people with disabilities. For example, in the U.S., independence is highly valued, but in some other countries, people assume that those with disabilities want or need help. Once you’ve been accepted into a program and if you are willing to disclose your disability, talk with your study abroad advisor or program director. Find out more about how people with disabilities are perceived in your host country. This will help you know what to expect in terms of discrimination as well as accessibility abroad. Remember that your host country’s attitudes towards people with disabilities may be drastically different from what you’re used to in the U.S. You might see this in the way people treat you and in the kinds of resources available to you abroad.

Don’t let these challenges dissuade you from studying abroad. By living in another country, you’ll gain a new perspective on how other cultures treat people with disabilities. Your experiences abroad will help you grow and give you an appreciation of everything you have at home.

Questions to think about

  • How are people with my disability viewed abroad?
  • How should I respond if people give me unsolicited help?
  • Am I willing to disclose my disability to others?
  • How accessible are places in my host country?
  • Will my disability prevent me from participating in certain excursions because of inaccessibility?

To maximize the opportunity to travel abroad and study internationally, it is essential that you allocate a minimum of six months (preferably up to one year) in advance of your program to plan for accommodations, regardless of the type of disability. Experience tells us the key to success is early notification and planning. The Academic Success Center and the Center for Global Engagement are here to assist you before and during your time abroad.

Tips for Students with Disabilities:

  • Talk with other students with disabilities and learn about their experiences abroad.
  • Let your counselor or program director know about your disability, if you are comfortable doing so, so that as many accommodations as possible can be made.
  • Keep in mind that places abroad may not be as accessible as you are used to.
  • Remember that people with disabilities may be treated differently than you are accustomed to. Research before you go so you have some idea of what to expect.
  • Be flexible and think creatively about how you can accommodate your disability abroad.

Helpful Resources

Gender & LGTBQIA+

Religion, Spirituality & Faith

Student Athletes

Non-Traditional & First Generation 

Veterans

Student veterans can often apply VA Benefits to funding for education abroad experiences and are encouraged to apply! There are some limitations to what VA education benefits will cover when it comes to study abroad expenses, so student veterans should start planning as early as possible for education abroad and work closely with the Center for Global Engagement and the MC Veterans Resource Center. Steps to take in advance of applying

Speak to your designated School Certifying Official to determine whether or not you are eligible to receive funding for MC study/intern abroad programs. 

Research various Global Education program options and determine the best program for you. VA benefits may be used towards Maryville College faculty-led programs (Travel Study Programs, generally offered during May or spring break) but does not cover all program fees.

Meet with the Center for Global Engagement to learn more about program options.

Follow up with your designated School Certifying Official to ensure that your benefits will work with the program you have chosen. Note that Funds from the G.I. Bill may be used towards tuition and academic fees but may not be used towards other study abroad costs like application fees, meals, housing, travel cost (airfare), or insurance. If you receive a housing allowance, you may be able to use that towards housing costs abroad. Students must be enrolled in courses that will apply to their academic program.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

  • Travel Documentation: Will there be a visa issue if I’ve served in certain countries?
  • Cultural Immersion: How will this experience differ from my time abroad in the military?
  • Funding: VA Education Benefits sometimes cover tuition and related program fees. 
  • Housing: Housing costs abroad will not be charged to the VA. Students must use the Basic Allowance Housing (BAH/Living Stipend) awarded for enrollment (based on MC’s zip code) to pay for housing costs while abroad. Since you continue your enrollment at MC while you are studying abroad, you will receive the same BAH/Living Stipend as if you were living in MC for your entire study abroad duration. Remember that your BAH/Living Stipend is also based on how many credits you are earning at MC.
  • Travel Expenses: VA Education Benefits don’t cover your flight or other miscellaneous expenses (passport, visa, immunizations, etc.).
  • Using VA Education Benefits while Abroad: Students need to submit their certification E-form to the Veterans office at MC if they want to use their VA Education Benefits while studying abroad. The submission of this form is required for every term you are abroad.
  • Academic Credit: Depending on the program you choose, there will be a time lag between when your OVS placeholder courses will drop off your transcript and your real courses taken while abroad will be placed on your official MC transcript. In the end, if the transcripted credit is less than the placeholder courses or if the credit is not degree applicable then the VA will be notified and the student may owe the difference.

Effective August 1, 2020, VA benefits cannot be used towards Partnership or Exchange programs. Students interested in pursuing a long-term experience outside of the Center for Global Engagement exchange programs should meet with the MC Veterans Resource Center to discuss opportunities and procedures to transfer to an international institution.

Credit: Diversityabroad.com, CISabroad, Barcelona SAE and www.isepstudyabroad.org 

Photo Credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay  

© All information Maryville College 2024
Legal | Contact Us | Title IX | Consumer Information | Safety and Security