Considering LGTQ+ Students' Study Abroad Experiences across Research and Practice

As these LGBTQ+ student populations grow in higher education institutions, it is important to understand not only the on-campus experiences of LGBTQ+ students but also the experiences of these student populations when they study abroad. The results of a 2015 study suggest that LGBTQ+ students are more likely than heterosexual and cisgender students to participate in study abroad opportunities in several areas (Bryant & Soria, 2015). Despite the number of LGBTQ+ students studying abroad, the research on their experiences is limited (Bingham et al., 2023; Brunsting, Chiles, et al., 2023). This brief will first examine the extant literature, highlighting the key findings and themes arising from 13 empirical articles that consider LGBTQ+ students and issues in a study abroad context (for background on the selection of these studies, see Brunsting, Dietrich, et al., in this issue). Based on these findings, the brief will provide practitioner feedback and interpretation to enhance the support study abroad offices and providers could consider when working directly with LGBTQ+ students.