Recommended Programs for LGBTQ+ Students

Malta is known for being inclusive and welcoming. University of Malta offers opportunities to join LGBTQ+ student organizations that host a variety of campus events, including a pride parade. Take unique courses focused on gender diversity such as “Inclusive Communities and Schooling.”

Available on ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct

Costa Rica was the first country in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage, and this program offers opportunities for students to live with host families who are allies or part of the LGBTQ+ community. Enjoy extra support with two on-site full time staff members to help you integrate to life in Costa Rica.

Available on ISEP Direct

Equaldex ranks Taiwan as the most LGBTQ+ friendly country in Asia. The country has been recognized for its support of gender and sexuality rights in recent years, including passing laws to support adoption for same-sex couples and being the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Taiwan also hosts the largest pride parade on the Asian continent.

Available on ISEP Exchange

Brighton is considered the LGBTQ+ capital of the U.K., with 15% of the city’s population identifying at part of the community. University of Sussex offers a student-run LGBTQ+ society that hosts campus events and actively campaigns in support of issues impacting its students’ identities.

Available on ISEP Exchange

Equaldex ranks Argentina as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in South America. Buenos Aires offers a safe and gender inclusive space for the community. Argentina was the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage and has even had multiple female-identifying presidents.

Available on ISEP Exchange

France is consistently recognized as one of the most gay-friendly top travel destinations in the world. Paris offers a lively scene for the LGBTQ+ community and its annual pride festivities are attended by over half a million people throughout the country each year!

Available on ISEP Direct

Study abroad in Cork, a city known for its advances in furthering the Irish Gay Rights Movement throughout the country. At University College Cork, join the LGBT+ Society where students gather in a safe space and raise awareness for issues facing the community at various campus events the organization hosts.

Available on ISEP Direct

The Chinese University of Hong Kong offers a comprehensive guide to support LGBTQ+ students during their time in Hong Kong. The institution frequently partners with the student-led Queer Straight Alliance to host inclusive on-campus activities. CUHK offers unique queer-related courses including “Gender in Asia.”

Available on ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct

Equaldex consistently ranks Sweden as one of the most inclusive and progressive countries, making it a top destination among LGBTQ+ travelers. Sweden hosts 30 pride festivals per capita each year, which is the highest ratio of celebrations in the entire world.

Available on ISEP Exchange

Massey University offers a vast range of support to students of sexual and gender diversity. The institution offers gender neutral facilities and opportunities to join rainbow student organizations for support. Unique course offerings include “Development of Gender” and “Gender: Bodies That Matter.”

Available on ISEP Direct

The Netherlands has a vast and revolutionary history with LGBTQ+ rights and was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. Leiden University offers staff and students to connect through its LGBT+ Network and offers unique courses including “Gender: New Approaches to the Human in Critical and Cultural Theory.”

Available on ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct

Barcelona is a diverse and open city, and one of the safest for the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. The Barcelona Program for Interdisciplinary Studies (BaPIS) at UPF, designed specifically for incoming students, offers diverse courses on gender and queer studies such as “LGBT+: Exploring Identities and Diversity,” “Art and Gender in Contemporary Spain,” and “Identity in the 21st Century.”

Available on ISEP Direct