We understand that as a student with a visible or invisible disability, you have a unique set of considerations when choosing a study abroad program. ISEP Student Service Officers are prepared to advise you to find a program that meets your needs. Because you will have specific requirements for a successful study abroad experience, we work with you one-on-one to identify the best options for your circumstances. Our team can provide guidance on programs that accommodate learning differences, mobility concerns, visual or hearing impairment, mental health/counseling needs, emotional support animals, and more.
Sample Programs
- Study in Greece
- American College of Thessaloniki is a great fit for students with mobility concerns, as most of the campus’ buildings are equipped with elevators and have accessible bathrooms. The university also offers support for students with hearing and visual impairments.
- Study in Dublin
- Dublin City University is known for providing exemplary student support and is the world’s first recognized Autism Friendly University. DCU’s Disability and Learning Support Service also offers educational support and assistive technology to promote an inclusive learning environment.
- Study in the U.S.A.- Northeast
- Dean College is dedicated to providing a campus environment that supports students with documented disabilities, executive functioning disorder, sensory processing, or nonverbal learning issues.
- Study in Melbourne
- La Trobe University’s Neurodiversity Project provides students and staff with resources aimed to enhance their educational experience including learning support, neurodiversity networks, and campus events planned with neurominority community members in mind.
- Study in Thailand
- Thammasat University offers accommodations for students seeking services for visual, auditory, and mobility concerns. The university’s Disabled Student Servies offers technology including image enlarging devices, hearing and speaking aids, and regular and electric wheelchairs to use.
What you can do to have a great experience:
- Consider your needs, priorities, and where you can be flexible. If you have flexibility on location or classes, it may be easier to accommodate your other requirements.
- ISEP Direct programs have guaranteed placement and may work better for planning purposes, but we’re happy to help you create an ISEP Exchange list of programs that will work for you.
- Depending on the accommodations you need, there may be additional fees involved (primarily when the included housing or health insurance does not adequately meet your needs). We recommend planning for these extra fees in advance.
- Not all medications are available (or legal) in all countries. Talk to your medical care provider and your SSO to determine if you can change your prescription or find a program where your medication is legal and available.
Considerations for discussing possible accommodations with your Student Services Officer:
- Do you need to take any prescribed medications for your condition that you will need while abroad? It is important to remember that there may be regulations in your host country for what medications you can bring in, and how much supply you can bring.
- Do you have documentation of any current accommodation you receive for your disability at your home institution? This helps our team identify what similar services may be available in other countries.
- What services or accommodations do you anticipate needing abroad? Consider: housing, bathrooms, access to meals/food/groceries/kitchen facilities, tutoring, counseling, testing time. This is not a comprehensive list; consider all aspects of your living, traveling, and learning experience.
- Emotional support animals are not recognized in all countries and most university housing will not accept them. If bringing an emotional support animal is a priority, you may need to be flexible about where you study and/or your housing. You will need documentation for that animal to accompany you on study abroad. Vaccination, visa requirements, and quarantine regulations for animals vary by country.
- If you are a student with mobility concerns, think about what support you may need off and on campus. For example, street widths are narrower in historic city centers and may not be able to accommodate certain wheelchair sizes.
- Will the language of your host country impact what support and services you need? For example, a student with a hearing disability may need an interpreter who speaks the local language, and a language they know.