We understand how important it is for current students to hear from previous alumni who participated in global experiences while attending SCU. We've built this section of our website to connect you with former students through a variety of ways, including our podcast: Abroaden Your Horizons, student spotlights, and even the Returnee Database. Happy Connecting!
Original Podcast Producer: Jacqueline Ibarra-Garcia, 2020-21 Peer Advisor
Returnee Database
Do you want to hear from study abroad alumni? We encourage you to utilize the Returnee Database to connect with SCU students willing to discuss their global experiences!
YouTube Channel
Did you know we have student spotlight videos from Santa Clara alumni on the SCU Study Abroad YouTube channel? Watch now using the button below, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe!
SCU Alumni Blogs
We're currently collecting blog post submissions from Santa Clara students who studied abroad during their undergraduate career. Did you write a blog post for your program while abroad? Email us at studyabroad@scu.edu and we'll feature your story!
Student Scholarships and Stories
SCU students receive over $1,000,000 each year in scholarships to fund their education abroad. Explore stories of scholarship recipients and learn more about the prestigious awards our students earn.
Diversity & Identity Abroad
Women Abroad
- Journey Women is a premier travel resource for women that offers advice on topics that range from navigating specific countries to packing tips.
- Amnesty International works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied. This page provides information about violence against women around the world and how you can protect yourself from being a victim.
- The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Membership benefits include cheaper group insurance rates, publications, and scholarship eligibility. You can apply at your local branch and become a member at both the state and national levels.
- Breaking the Picture Frame: Studying Abroad While Trans - a gay, non-binary trans woman shares her experience with dealing with mental health and gender identity issues during her study abroad in Italy, and as she prepares for her study abroad in Poland while in the process of transitioning while under feminization hormones
- Trans Ireland: an Interview - an interview by a trans woman studying abroad with a local trans woman in Ireland, discussing the experiences of trans people, genderqueer, and non-binary people in the country.
- Pride in Santiago - a pansexual woman shares her experience at Pride in Santiago, Chile while openly sporting her hidden Drag King persona.
- Queer Life in the First Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage - a queer woman’s experience with finding her queer community in Amsterdam, Netherlands after spending a semester in Quito, Ecuador
- Ni él, ni ella: Being Nonbinary in Spain - a non-binary person shares their experiences with trying to translate their gender to Spanish and find their place in the heavily gendered Spanish culture
First Generation Students
- For information about studying abroad as a first-generation college student, please see this Study Abroad for First-Generation Students video produced by UC Santa Barbara.
- First-Generation Students Guide – GoAbroad – Free guide on navigating the study abroad process as a first-generation student, from meeting your advisor, choosing your program and provider, and more!
- First Steps to Study Abroad as a First Gen Student – Diversity Abroad shares some resources and advice on taking the first steps towards studying abroad as a First Generation student.
- GoOverseas – Stories from First Generation Travelers – Article and stories on what it’s like to study abroad and be the first in your family to travel.
LGBTQ+ Students
- Traveling While Queer - a Belgium woman discusses her international travels with her girlfriend, dealing with being misgendered often for a man, and finding the support of allies along the way
- A Trans* Guide for Staying Safe While Traveling an in-depth, honest guide to answering all of your questions from airport procedures to prosthetics and clothing!
- Transgender and Non-Binary Students Abroad a guide to study away and abroad by Brandeis University
- Simultaneously Loving and Exposing Amsterdam - a white queer woman examines the perception of queer acceptance and anti-immigrant sentiment in the Netherlands
- Trans in Hyderabad, India - a non-binary trans student shares their experience about studying abroad in India
- Our Alumni's Advice for Studying Abroad as a Transgender Student in Japan - Insight, and advice from a trans boy who studied abroad in Japan while in high school
- Transatlantic Marriage - From Indy to Dublin - a woman prepares to be away from her wife for a semester
- Intimacy, Gender, and Public Space - a queer woman shares her experiences with understanding gender and same-sex dynamics in Morroco
- Thoughts on Tokyo Pride - a queer woman critically reflects on her experience at Tokyo Pride
- Being a Minority Abroad: IES Abroad EU Edition - an interview with a couple of students about their experience being minorities due to their ethnic backgrounds and/ or sexualities
- Out and About: A Gay Day in the U.K. - a lesbian woman recounts her amazing day shared with her gay male counterpart as they explored all the queer landmarks in London
- (Mis)adventures of a Queer Black Girl - a Black woman discusses what it’s like traveling the world with her wife who is also a Black woman
- Traveling While Asain, Queer, and Tattooed: WHICH IS WORSE? - an Asian woman discusses what it’s like traveling the world being a queer older woman with tattoos
- Finding an LGBTQ+ Community Abroad: Alum of the Month Neal McKinney - a study abroad alum reflects on his experience being a gay Black man studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain
- Gaining Independence Abroad: Alum of the Month Max Freeman - a study abroad alum reflects on his experience being a queer man studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain
- Coming Out While Studying Abroad: Alum of the Month Steve Streich - a study abroad alum reflects on his experience coming out as a gay man while studying abroad in Vienna in the 1970s!
- Student Voices – Examining Identity Within the Study Abroad Experience - a multi-cultural Asian woman who is demiromantic and pansexual shares her experiences studying abroad in Japan and in Ireland
- Student Voices – A Queer Student’s Perspective in Morocco - a queer Asian man shares his experience studying abroad and dating locals in Morocco, where being queer can be punishable by law.
- World of Difference Alumni Profile - Samekh Reed - a Black bisexual woman shares her experience studying abroad in Japan
- Marching to the Beat of Social Justice: Thoughts on Global Citizenship from John Luke Hawkins - a gay man shares his experience with finding the opportunity to explore his sexuality for the first time ever, and getting involved with social justice while studying abroad in South Africa
- For information about sexuality abroad please see this LGBTQIA+ Identity video produced by UC Davis
Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander Students
A postcard: from paris, to my beloved communities
Vietnamese iced coffee in paris
Asian in America, American in Asia
Finding Identity as an Indian Heritage Student
Tips for Traveling and Living in Korea and What It's Like Being Both Korean and Black
Why Asia is a Better Destination for Blasian Travelers Than Europe
Some Tips for Students of Minority Populations Studying Abroad in Spain
Students with Disabilities
- Don't Make Me Leave a student’s experience with anxiety in Amsterdam
- Cultivating Amandala for a Global Impact: A Student with Cerebral Palsy's Personal Experience in South Africa
- Ripple Effect 3.1: A #LifeAfterExchange of Language Study: A student with cerebral palsy shares her personal experience about her language study in Germany
- Enriched Through International Travel: A student with Spina Bifida shares her experiences about her studies in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
- For other success stories about students with disabilities, take a look at Mobility International, USA.
Latinx Students
- A Latina’s Study Abroad Journey – Helpful advice from a LatinX student who studied abroad in the UK
- Latinx-POC travel bloggers of color to follow – Latinx bloggers you should check out!
- For information about Latinx experiences abroad, please see this Latinx Adventures Abroad video produced by UC Irvine.
- For information about Latinx experiences abroad, please see this Latinx Students Abroad: Concerns from Loved Ones (En Español) video produced by UC Santa Barbara.