Making the decision to study abroad isn’t always easy. There are lots of things to consider like finances and how prepared you are to live in a foreign country. The decision can be made even more difficult when you have to take your disability into consideration.
One way to ease your transition into a foreign country is to try and learn the language of the country you’ll be going to. Although this is not a specific disability-related tip, knowing the official language is extremely helpful. You don’t have to be fluent, but learning some basic phrases can go a long way if you should ever need assistance.
Before you start packing away language books, there are some other things you should make sure you’ve covered—for instance, finding out what studying is like in the country you’ll be living.
Uwe Hahnewald, a business administration student, is visually impaired. When he decided to go to a different country to study, he made sure to do his research upfront.
“I like to know a little bit about where I am going,” he says. “I familiarized myself with the subway and bus system, or which shops are in the area I am living in.”
Getting to know the neighbourhood and city you’ll be living in can be a great help in making a smooth transition into your new surroundings. Doing research can also give you an idea of how accessible certain areas are, as well as what the public transportation system is like, should you require something like Toronto’s Wheel-Transservice.
According to Melissa Nisbett, communications manager with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), students can find out in advance what kind of environment they'll be in by speaking directly with the schools that they plan on attending.
“Institutions can provide assessment tests for students to identify issues and follow up with students to identify the best locations for each student,” she says. “Students can do their own research for institutions by contacting the accessibility office, or the international student offices of the places they are interested in.”
Hahnewald agrees. “Get in touch with the school to see whether they offer disability services and what kind of accommodations they offer. If possible, try to get a hold on a former disabled student who can share their experiences with you.”
Speaking with students like Hahnewald and getting a feel for what life in a foreign country will be like for someone who has a disability is a great way to get the next best thing to a first-hand experience. Knowing what you’re in for before you get on a plane might also make the decision to stay or go much easier.
Hahnewald also recommends making a trip to the city where your school is, as studying abroad is a long-term decision and, sometimes, you just need to experience things for yourself. He was fortunate enough to have vacationed in the country where he studied so he had an idea of what life would be like for him if he lived there.
Getting assistance from organizations well before you get to your new location. Organizations like CBIE, for example, encourage their over 150 members, (which include colleges, universities, and partner organizations), to serve vulnerable groups including individuals with visible/non visible disabilities.
“We also provide sessions for our members on the best practices for student placements at our annual conference,” says Nisbett. “Our members prepare their students through assessments with either the international student office or accessibilities office.”
There are many other organizations out there that assist students with disabilities to achieve their post-secondary education goals, like the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS). They encourage “the self-empowerment of post-secondary students with disabilities,” and “advocates for increased accessibility at all levels so that disabled students may gain equal access to college or university education, which is their right.” Organizations like NEADS may also be beneficial to students with disabilities, since NEADS’ board members are all “consumers with disabilities, with the exception of the ‘open’ rep.”
When making the decision to study abroad, students may overlook travel accommodations. Queen’s University, for example, produced a fact sheet for students with disabilities hoping to study abroad that outlines everything you need to know before you pack your bags. It includes links to guides, videos, mailing lists, and other resources from reputable organizations in this field like Transitions Abroad, as well as region-specific resources.
Uprooting yourself to study abroad is arguably one of the most exciting and challenging experiences for a student. Hahnewald, who had a great experience studying abroad, recommends that other students who want to do the same give it a shot and not let their disability determine whether or not they should go.
“I recommend studying abroad because it expands your horizons,” he says. “I think confidence, organization, and research is everything [if you want to study abroad]. The more I know upfront, the easier it was.”
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