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Your Identity in the United Kingdom

Below you will find information that may help you in planning for your Education Abroad experience. We know it’s not possible to encompass all of your intersecting identities into one page, but we hope the resources listed can serve as a helpful starting point. You are your own best expert. We invite you to meet with your Program Manager or contact our Access and Inclusion Coordinator at inclusionabroad@colorado.edu to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

 

Disability Accommodations

Individuals with disabilities can and do participate in Education Abroad programs, but you may find accessibility and accommodation in different locations to be very different from the United States. For example, in the United Kingdom, anticipate being a pedestrian and/or taking public transport more frequently than you may be accustomed to at CU. Students may find that sidewalks are narrow and uneven, and cobblestone streets make access difficult in some areas. While every student’s experience is unique, check out our Disability or Different Abilities while Abroad page for general information, questions to consider, and next steps for studying abroad with a disability and click through the list below for resources relevant to the United Kingdom and your host university. 

Resources for the U.K.

External Resources

 

Host University Resources (for exchange programs only)
Lancaster's Support for Disabled Students page contains information regarding Lancaster's disabled student policy and how to receive learning support for students who have a medical condition, injury, illness or disability that impacts their ability to study. See also their pages on support for dyslexic students, autistic students, and students with ADHD.
 
  1. Before You Leave: 
    • In order that arrangements can be determined and organized, submit the Health & Wellness Worksheet on your MyCUAbroad checklist and a get letter from CU’s Disability Services that documents your condition and needs and the support that they provide for you.
    • Contact Lancaster's Disability Service to declare your disability and request accommodations.
       
  2. When You Arrive: 
    • After following the above steps, you will be referred to a Support Review, where you will discuss your support needs with a Disability and Inclusive Practice Service (DIPS) Adviser.
Queen Mary's Disability and Dyslexia Service operates in a similar manner to Disability Services here. They arrange learning access support for students who have a medical condition, injury, illness or disability that impacts their ability to study. This support can involve such arrangements as alternate exam arrangements, note-taking, access to assistive technology on campus, mentoring, etc. See also the Disability page for more information about support and accessibility on the Queen Mary campus.
1. Before You Leave: 
  • In order that arrangements can be determined and organized, submit the Medical & Disability Needs Abroad form on your MyCUAbroad checklist and get a letter from CU's Disability Services that documents your condition and needs and the support that they provide for you.
  • Contact Lancaster's Disability and Dyslexia Service to discuss and arrange for accommodations.

UEA's Disability Support Services operates in a similar manner to Disability Services here. They arrange learning access support for students who have a medical condition, injury, illness or disability that impacts their ability to study. This support can involve such arrangements as alternate exam arrangements, access to assistive technology on campus, one-to-one support, etc. See also UEA's Disability Officers Instagram page.

1. Before You Leave: 

  • In order that arrangements can be determined and organized, submit the Medical & Disability Needs Abroad form on your MyCUAbroad checklist and get a letter from CU's Disability Services that documents your condition and needs and the support that they provide for you.
  • Fill out UEA's Disability Support Form according to the instructions on the Disability Support Services page.

     

Manchester's Disability Advisory and Support Service operates in a similar manner to Disability Services here. They arrange learning access support for students who have a medical condition, injury, illness or disability that impacts their ability to study. This support can involve such arrangements as alternate exam arrangements, note-taking, access to assistive technology on campus, etc. 

1. Before You Leave: 

  • In order that arrangements can be determined and organized, submit the Medical & Disability Needs Abroad form on your MyCUAbroad checklist and get a letter from CU's Disability Services that documents your condition and needs and the support that they provide for you.
  • Follow the steps outlined in Manchester's How do I get support? page.

     

Sussex's Disability Support page contains information regarding how to receive learning support for students who have a medical condition, injury, illness or disability that impacts their ability to study. This includes reasonable adjustments, assistive technology, and more.


1. Before You Leave: 

  • In order that arrangements can be determined and organized, submit the Medical & Disability Needs Abroad form on your MyCUAbroad checklist and get a letter from CU's Disability Services that documents your condition and needs and the support that they provide for you.
  • Follow the steps on Sussex's register for disability support page.

     

Gender & Gender Identity

You may find that the level of acceptance differs between the United Kingdom and the United States. The United Kingdom is becoming increasingly more inclusive on gender issues, and is in general similar to the United States in regards to gender norms and acceptance of transgender people. It's essential to seek local resources and support networks that cater to your specific needs and location. Check out our Gender & Gender Identity resource page, which provides a list of questions, tips, and general resources. Additionally, you can find specific resources related to the United Kingdom and your host university by clicking through the list below.

 

Resources for the U.K.

External Resources
 
Host University Resources (for exchange programs only)

Sexual Orientation & Sexuality

Acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community can vary by culture, and you may find your host culture more or less welcoming of your sexual orientation than what you experience in the U.S. Same sex marriage has been legal in most of the United Kingdom since 2014, with Northern Ireland being the last in the UK to legalize it in 2019. There are laws protecting LGBTQ+ peoples from discrimination and vibrant LGBTQ+ communities throughout the UK. While everyone’s experience is unique to them, check out our Sexual Orientation & Sexuality resource page for a list of questions, tips, and general resources to explore. Click through the list below for resources specific to the United Kingdom.

 

Resources for the U.K.

External Resources
 
Host University Resources (for exchange programs only)

Racial & Ethnic Identity

Students of different ethnic and racial backgrounds may encounter unique challenges transitioning from life in the U.S. to life as a student living abroad. This experience can vary based on your race/ethnicity as well as your host community. While around 82% of people in England and Wales are white, there is significant racial and ethnic diversity in big cities like London and Manchester. Queen Mary University and the University of Manchester have particularly diverse student bodies. There are vibrant diasporic communities throughout the UK, especially among cultures with a strong historical colonial relationship to the UK. Students of color may experience microaggressions and other manifestations of systemic racism, though awareness and sensitivity surrounding racial and ethnic issues is improving in the United Kingdom. While everyone has different experiences, our Racial & Ethnic Identities Abroad page provides general resources to help you prepare for your time abroad. Check it out in addition to the resources below, specific to studying in the United Kingdom.


Resources for the U.K.

External Resources
 
Host University Resources (for exchange programs only)

Socioeconomic Status

U.S. students are generally perceived as coming from wealth, which is due to how Americans are typically portrayed in media. If you do not feel that this perception matches your identity, this may be a jarring experience at first. A good resource for you will be friends & local program staff who can help you navigate this process and provide tips on the typical cost of goods where you are studying. See the Budgeting page of our Accepted Student Guide for tips on lowering your personal expenses while abroad.

Resources for the U.K.

Resources for Families

Do your parents, family, or support systems have concerns about you studying abroad? Have them contact our office to speak to a Program Manager, who can provide further information, address concerns, connect them with additional resources, and refer them to our Diversity & Identity Abroad page.

Education Abroad is committed to serving a culturally diverse community of students and is dedicated to providing inclusive international experiences for students from all backgrounds. Please contact our Access and Inclusion Coordinator at inclusionabroad@colorado.edu with any questions or concerns.

Thanks to CIEE and IES Abroad for many of these tips and resources.

Last Updated January 2024