While this was not my first trip abroad, going for the first time as a diversity ambassador helped reshape my perspective on my position in the broader community internationally. My experience was unique as both a bisexual woman and a student with disabilities.
I felt very safe in my sexuality while in Greece. This was strengthened by the timing of the trip during pride month where I and a group of friends attended and celebrated our identities with others in the international community! It wasn’t just Greeks at the parade and festival; there were Germans, Italians, and so many others who came to support and bolster the strength of our greater community and the LGBTQA+ community of Greece. Along with this was the support of my very own study abroad group. We were a rag-tag family of diverse identities and personalities, all coming together to learn both about Greece and ourselves. Our Greek “guide" was a little confused about certain identities and their meanings, but we all had an incredible conversation with him to help him understand, and he was incredibly respectful and receptive. It strengthened my already secure love of Greece and my understanding that they are truly a people who are kind, open- hearted, and welcoming to all people.
"If you are considering studying abroad but are afraid that your disability will keep you from having a good time or making connections with others, I can assure you that the university, the students, and teachers you will be traveling with care about you and your health above all else! You deserve the opportunity to learn and experience the world as much as anyone else, and there are plenty of programs out there that would be so incredibly lucky to have you on their trip!"
Studying abroad with disabilities was still a challenge. I have both mental and physical disabilities, and while I was thankfully able to maintain an excellent state of mental health with the use of medication and the comfort of community, my physical disabilities were a little more difficult to overcome. I have two types of scoliosis, as well as chronic migraines that can make strenuous exercise and certain activities incredibly difficult. Sadly, there were parts of the trip that I had to miss in order to take care of my physical health. However, I learned very quickly that maintaining and caring for your body on the bad days only makes the good days even more rewarding. You really learn the compassion of your fellow study abroad participants when they’re offering to stop by the pharmacy for you, bring you an icepack, or even just sit with you for a while when you can’t get out of bed.
If you are considering studying abroad but are afraid that your disability will keep you from having a good time or making connections with others, I can assure you that the university, the students, and teachers you will be traveling with care about you and your health above all else! You deserve the opportunity to learn and experience the world as much as anyone else, and there are plenty of programs out there that would be so incredibly lucky to have you on their trip!
I didn’t just learn about my communities, I also learned so much about myself, my worth, and my inner strength. There were plenty of twists and turns on my trip, with unexpected challenges arising such as interpersonal disputes between friends. Through it all, I was able to find my strength in my compassion for myself and my classmates. I was able to find my strength in walking away from rising tensions and unresolvable situations. I was able to find my strength in finding the good and the joy in the moments of uncertainty and anxiety.
The reason I am a fully online student is because of my mental health disability, which disallows me from being able to attend a campus in person. Being able to show myself that despite this, I can still feel at home in a strange place, and I can still forge incredible friendships in the face of hardship, has been the most healing and growing experience of my life. I’ve made progress with my mental health in ways that years of therapy couldn’t accomplish. I am stronger than I believed, and I learned it on my own.
As a returning study abroad student, my biggest surprise was just how much I am still learning despite this being my third study abroad experience in Greece! The world is wide, broad, and vast, and yet even a small country like Greece can take years to study, learn, and acclimate to. With this trip, I learned about entire parts of Attica that I never even knew existed, like Brauron, and ancient cult practices such as the Arkteia. I learned to say “cheers” in Greek, and how the world’s first robotic servant was invented and utilized in ancient Greece! Little and big things, about myself and Greece and the people around me, cultivating together to create so much love and life within me that I will never forget and will always cherish.
Kaitlyn Dwyer (applied studies student with a minor in ancient civilization), a Diversity Ambassador Scholarship recipient, participated in City of Athens: Bronze Age to Roman World in spring 2023.
LEARN HOW YOU CAN APPLY FOR A DIVERSITY AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP
The Diversity Ambassador Scholarship program provides awards to study abroad for a summer, semester, or academic year. The scholarships are intended to support the diversification of students who study abroad. Upon completion of the study abroad program and return to UI, award recipients are asked to submit a photo and an open letter to prospective students or suggest an alternate means of sharing with prospective students.
Please note that the opinions and views expressed by diversity ambassadors are solely those of the students and do not reflect or represent the views of International Programs or the University of Iowa.
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.