Trans Abroad: American Transgender Students’ Experiences of Navigating Identity and Community While Studying Abroad

Michl, T.*, Stookey, A.*, Wilson, J.*, Chiou, K.*, Raque, T. and Kracen, A. (2023) Trans Abroad: American Transgender Students’ Experiences of Navigating Identity and Community While Studying Abroad. Social Sciences, 12 (9). ISSN 2076-0760

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Abstract

Despite significant and increasing numbers of students studying internationally, there are few data about the experiences of study abroad for various marginalized students, including transgender and gender expansive (TGE) students. Therefore, 15 TGE adults from the United States were interviewed about navigating gender and culture during undergraduate study abroad programs. Interviews were analyzed using consensual qualitative research (CQR). Participants shared how they benefited from international study and navigated intersecting social identities, including gender, which was complex and nuanced. They discussed how they actively managed issues of disclosure and its consequences, explored their identities and the influence of their social setting, and dealt with anticipated, deliberate, and unintentional harm from others. Relationships and community were priorities for participants when studying internationally; they explained how they determined whether to invest in relationships or not. Participants also clarified what their relationships looked like during study abroad, as well as unique considerations that arose from their marginalized identities. These findings can help inform the development of more inclusive, safe, and satisfying study abroad experiences for all students, especially TGE individuals; implications for future research and study abroad interventions are provided.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	* Denotes a student co-author
Uncontrolled Keywords:	transgender; gender expansive; study abroad; identity; community; minority stress; consensual qualitative research; intersectionality
Subjects:	J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > Sexual life > Sexual minorities
Divisions:	School of Business > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	10 Jan 2024 16:49
Last Modified:	10 Jan 2024 16:49
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6910

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