Study abroad is considered by many to be a quintessential part of their dream college experience. Navigating studying abroad can be extremely rewarding yet challenging. Students may deal with how to make study abroad work financially, academically, and personally both before going and during their time abroad.
While there are any number of reasons why studying abroad can be difficult, there are special considerations for students in recovery who are interested in studying abroad. Whether concerned about finances, missing meetings or being surrounded by drinking culture, there are resources to help students in recovery along their journey.
Students interested in study abroad should first contact their academic and financial aid advisors. Talking to your academic advisor is important to making sure you are staying on track to graduate. Financial aid is transferable to UCEAP programs, but you need to talk to the department to find out exactly how much. They will also be able to point you in the direction of scholarships you can apply for to help make up any difference. There are many scholarships available including university specific, private and even state sponsored scholarships like the Gilman Award.
While abroad all students have free access to online counseling through Lyra. If you want to continue working with your current therapist, talk to them about remote options far in advance so you can be prepared.
There are still many remote and hybrid options available for students who attend recovery meetings! This is a wonderful way to maintain connection and accountability with your support system at home while away. A list of the current Gauchos for Recovery meetings can be found here https://adp.sa.ucsb.edu/gfr/meetings-and-events. Most global major cities do have 12 Step Recovery Meetings in English at least a few days a week, so that can be an option for finding local community depending on where you study.
Finally, remind yourself that you deserve to be there as much as anybody else! Whether or not you came to college as a person in recovery or your recovery journey started on campus, you are a part of this campus and deserve to take advantage of all the opportunities and resources available. Find the peers that reflect that reality. Know you have the tools to handle adversity and ask for help when you need it!