Support while living abroad
Living abroad can be rewarding, but it may also bring practical, cultural and personal challenges.
Before you travel, make sure you understand the laws, customs and support available in your host country.
Prepare for daily life in your host country
Before you start your placement, think about what day-to-day life may be like in your host country.
Research local laws and customs before you travel, and check the .
You can also contact the University’s Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) team before you leave at diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk.
UK government diversity guidance
Check the customs and restrictions of your host country before you travel. You should also check the guidance regularly while you are abroad.
- for guidance on local laws, including rules about wearing religion or belief items
Student conduct policy
Read the University’s Student Conduct Risk Management policy (PDF) before you travel. The policy explains how the University responds to harassment, bullying and other conduct issues.
The Equality Act 2010 defines harassment as unwanted conduct related to a personal characteristic that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Air travel and disability support
The requires transport operators to consider how they can reduce barriers for disabled people.
Under , passengers can receive air travel assistance when travelling from and within Europe.
Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex students
ILGA database
The (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) provides information about sexual orientation laws and inclusion in countries across the world.
The ranks countries in Europe on their LGBTI equality laws, policies and practices.
Stonewall global workplace briefings
The provide information about the situation for LGBT people in different countries.
Each briefing explains the legal, social, cultural and workplace context for LGBT people in a specific country. The briefings also share examples of inclusive workplace practice from Stonewall’s global membership programme.
Report + Support
is an online tool where staff, students and members of the community can report bullying, discrimination, abuse, assault or harassment.
You can report anonymously or provide contact details so an adviser can offer support. Report + Support also includes information about internal and external support.
Black Students Abroad UK
supports Black students through the year abroad process.
The network helps students connect with others in their host city, region or country. It can also put students in touch with students who have visited the host country in previous years.