At Bath, we're committed to supporting all students preparing to do a placement, exchange, or other international mobility, such as summer internships, conferences, or postgraduate research abroad. We recognise that LGBTQ+ students may face unique challenges depending on the destination country.
Planning your time abroad
Research your destination
Laws and cultural attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people vary significantly between countries, and even within regions of the same country. Urban areas may offer more inclusive and visible LGBTQ+ communities, while rural locations may be more conservative or isolated.
Understanding both the national and local context can help you make informed choices.
Understand the context
Think about the academic institution, host organisation, or host family context you'll be entering, and whether any additional support or adjustments may be helpful.
Research your employer or exchange partner
Check whether the institution you will be placed in has an LGBTQ+ policy or an LGBTQ+ group for staff and students.
Consider how open you wish to be
It's entirely your decision whether or not to be open about your sexual orientation or gender identity while abroad.
If you’re returning home for a placement or exchange, or travelling to a region where you have concerns about discrimination or lack of acceptance, this can bring particular emotional or practical considerations.
While you likely have strategies for navigating this, you're still very welcome to seek support from the University if you’d like to talk through concerns.
Seek support
Speak to your Placements Officer, Director of Studies, Year Abroad Officer, Academic Advisor or, if you are a doctoral student, your Director of Studies or supervisor, about any concerns or questions you have.
You can contact the Students' Union's LGBT+ Committee for peer support, or contact the University’s Student Support Advice Service for emotional support before and during your time abroad.
Professional help is also available 24/7 from our free, confidential support line Be Well-Talk Now, which you can access from anywhere in the world.
Health, safety, and legal considerations
Healthcare and insurance
Make sure your travel insurance covers any medical needs, including gender-affirming care, where applicable.
Be aware that some countries may put travel restrictions on some medications, so please double-check that your medication is safe to travel with in the quantities you need.
Access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals may vary between countries. If you require medical supplies, such as medications and hormones, you might want to speak to your usual prescriber to make sure you have enough for the duration of your trip.
Documentation
If your gender presentation differs from the details on your passport or travel documents, be aware that this might lead to questions at border crossings.
If you're a transgender student, you might want to carry a letter from a medical professional when travelling.
Safety abroad
If you experience discrimination, harassment or feel unsafe while overseas:
- contact your host institution or provider if appropriate
- report incidents through the University’s Support and Report tool
- contact Student Support services for advice
We also recommend familiarising yourself with local emergency contacts and LGBTQ+-inclusive organisations in your host country.
Think about alternative options
If you feel that a particular country or placement might not be the right fit for you due to legal or cultural reasons, we will work with you to explore alternative destinations or formats. Your safety and wellbeing are our priority.
Support at Bath
You can make use of the University’s support services at any stage of your placement or study abroad journey. These include:
- placements teams, who can give advice on destinations, practical arrangements, and safety abroad
- the Student Support Advice Service, which offers help and advice on all welfare and wellbeing issues
- the the LGBT+ D&S group – a community of peers offering support and social connection
- the Support and Report Tool to report bullying, harassment, or discrimination, including incidents that occur while abroad
- our LGBTQ+ guides, which include resources on terminology, allyship, and navigating the University as an LGBTQ+ student
- Equality, diversity and your career: LGBTQ+ students – advice on how to target diversity-friendly employers and disclose during recruitment processes
- our guidance about coming out as LGBTQ+ – practical tips and advice on coming out
You can arrange individual meetings to discuss your plans, and support remains available while you’re abroad if needed.
Useful resources
- Equaldex – LGBTQ+ rights by country and travel guide
- Facebook groups for LGBTQ+ travellers – online communities such as Queer & Far and LGBTQ+ Travelers can be a great way to find local support, share experiences, and connect with others while abroad
- foreign travel advice from the UK government – Find useful LGBTQ+ travel guidance with external resource links
- GoAbroad LGBTQ+ student guide - tips from LGBTQ+ travellers
- ILGA's Europe Rainbow Map – ranking of European countries by equality laws and practices
- ILGA world maps of sexual orientation laws – annual mapping of sexual orientation laws
- map of jurisdictions that criminalise LGBTQ+ people – an overview of the jurisdictions across the world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are criminalised
- NAFSA Rainbow Special Interest Group – LGBTQ+ study abroad advice
- Stonewall Global Workplace Briefings – Country-specific overviews of LGBTQ+ rights and workplace inclusion