Planning for Health & Disability Support Abroad

Goucher College is committed to providing resources and information on health-related issues for our students. Increased concerns about health and safety abroad have prompted the Office of Global Education to create this website, which includes public health updates and information about disability support services. Please feel free to email the Office of Global Education, (studyabroad@goucher.edu) if you have any questions.

The following resources are available:


Study Abroad Accommodations Requests

The Office of Global Education is committed to supporting students with disabilities and will work with students to facilitate any accommodations required. Many students with disabilities have successfully participated in study abroad; however, accessibility can vary widely across locations, and not every program may be a suitable fit for all access needs.

To maximize your opportunities and ensure successful study abroad, early planning is crucial. Students should begin preparing at least six months (ideally, up to one year) before the program start date to arrange accommodations, regardless of disability type. The extended timeline is helpful because many countries do not have the same accessibility laws as the United States. For this reason, students are encouraged to communicate their needs and concerns to the Office of Global Education as early as possible.

The Office of Global Education will collaborate with the Office of Accessibility Services to provide guidance and support, though accommodations abroad ultimately depend on the host institution and local regulations.

If you have a documented disability that cannot be accommodated abroad, you can find information on requesting a substitution for the study abroad requirement in the Study Abroad Substitution Request Policy (PDF).