The majority of students who study abroad are women and they report back that they have had incredible experiences. However, in certain locations and programs, women may have a difficult time adjusting to attitudes they encounter abroad, in both public and private interactions between men and women. Some men openly demonstrate their appraisal of women in ways that many women find offensive. It is not uncommon to be honked at, stared at, verbally and loudly approved of and, in general, to be actively noticed simply for being a woman and, in particular, a U.S. American woman. Sometimes the attention can be flattering. Soon, it may become very annoying and potentially even angering. Local women, who often get the same sort of treatment, have learned through their cultures how to respond to the attention.
Eye contact between strangers, or a smile at someone passing on the street, which is not uncommon in the U.S., may result in totally unexpected invitations and some women feel forced to avoid eye contact. You will have to learn the unwritten rules about what you can and cannot do. Women can provide support for each other. You may wish to get together several times early in your stay abroad to talk about what does and doesn't work for dealing with unwanted attention. U.S. women are seen as liberated in many ways and sometimes the cultural misunderstanding that comes out of that image can lead to difficult and unpleasant experiences.
These cultural differences may make male-female friendships more challenging. Consider the implicit messages that you are communicating, messages that you may not intend in your own cultural context. Above all, try to maintain the perspective that these challenging and sometimes difficult experiences are part of the growth of cultural understanding, which is one of the important reasons you are studying abroad.
Female travelers may be more likely to encounter harassment such as unwanted sexual gestures, physical contact, or statements that are offensive or humiliating. Uncomfortable situations such as these may be avoided by taking the following precautions:
If, after acknowledging cultural differences, you still feel uncomfortable with what you interpret as sexual harassment, you should talk with your program leader, resident director, or other on-site personnel. This conversation may provide you with some coping skills and a possible action plan to avoid future encounters. It may also help you to gain a different perspective by understanding the local customs and attitudes. It is possible that the behaviors that you feel uncomfortable with are behaviors that are also considered unacceptable in the host culture.
If you feel that you are being sexually harassed by your fellow American students, speak with your program leader. If you feel that you are being sexually harassed by your program leader, resident director, or other on-site personnel, contact the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) immediately. You may contact OSA by phone or email friendju@msu.edu, including the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line at (517) 353-3784.
If you would prefer to report your concerns to an MSU unit with no ties to OSA or to your academic department, contact the following:
Concerns against a student:
Department of Student Life at (517) 432-2471
Concerns against an employee:
MSU Ombudsman at (517) 353-8830
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