While studying abroad, you may experience a shift in perceptions of gender roles and norms. As with many other aspects of personal identity abroad, there is a possibility that in your host culture, you may be treated differently or be expected to treat others differently.

Please note this page refers primarily to cisgender-identifying women and men.  Transgender or nonbinary individuals may have additional considerations for their time abroad; please refer to the LGBTQIA+ page for more details and resources.

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Initial Planning

All cultures have distinct ideas and beliefs about gender roles.  Depending on your program location, you may have experiences which could potentially impact your daily routines, behavior, dress, and safety considerations.

There is no right or wrong way to present in terms of gender, but it is important to understand that in certain locations or cultures, your actions and expressions may be perceived differently.  Sending different cultural signals could result in unintended consequences ranging from awkwardness and discomfort to (in rare cases) being put in the way of emotional or physical harm.  Before departure, students should inform themselves about what to expect in terms of local cultural expectations and gender roles in order to make the best decisions for themselves and prioritize their personal safety.

Things to Consider

Review these tips and questions as you plan your experience.

• What gender roles, stereotypes, and power dynamics exist in my host country?  How do they compare to my home country

• What gender-related issues may present themselves during my program?

• How do men treat women in my host country?

• How are gender nonconforming individuals treated in my host culture?

• How are relationships between men and women, romantic or otherwise, viewed in my host culture?

• How are issues such as gender-based violence understood and treated in my host culture?

Considerations for Women Travelers

The attitudes and expectations of women vary depending on the country, and being an American woman abroad, if applicable, may pose additional challenges. Hollywood films and other media viewed throughout the world have done a lot to disprove as well as to reinforce stereotypes about American women. In order to prepare yourself, it is important to research cultural norms for women in your host nation. For additional insight and guidance, please review the resources below or speak to an Education Abroad Adviser. 

Nancy Newport, a health consultant to the U.S. Peace Corps, provides expert advice to women about how to effectively manage and avoid sexual harassment abroad in the Center for Global Education SAFETI online newsletter.

Davidson Student Testimonials 
 

"My advice to other women studying abroad would be to listen and ask questions before creating judgments. Prepare yourself by talking to others who have studied abroad in similar settings but know that nothing can completely prepare you for the difference in mindsets you will likely experience. Be ready to learn and be ready to embrace that our backgrounds make us different from each other." 

Read more: Ecuador
 

"As women, we face challenges despite our physical location. Traveling within the U.S. can pose just as many threats to our safety as traveling abroad.... I challenge women to go abroad, to learn about different perspectives on femininity, and to be empowered by our ability to explore the world through Davidson College." 

Read more: Spain