Studying abroad can seem especially daunting as a student with a disability, neurodivergence or chronic illness. As every student’s situation is highly individual it may not always be clear what options are available and how to get started. However, there are a lot of different international experiences to consider such as exchanges, internships, research projects abroad and Short Term Learning Opportunities.

If you are interested in studying abroad as a student with a disability, neurodivergence or chronic illness, you can consider these steps below to get started.

Do your research

Start off by exploring the different types of international experiences that the UvA offers. Check out the Study Abroad website and the World Map to see what destinations and programmes are open for your study programme. Visit the websites of host universities to see what sort of support they offer and what kind of adjustments can be made. You can also have a look at Inclusive MobilityExternal link where you can find tips for preparation and further information on support measures in different universities in Europe. Discuss your options with your study adviser. Should you not manage to find information specific to your situation, you can always reach out to your faculty's International Office.

Start planning early

You will need to sort out all kinds of logistics, such as your course selection and travel but you might also have to request specific accommodation, particular study- and/or exam arrangements or financial support. These things often need to be requested well in advance and take a while to be processed, so make sure to get started right away once you have been selected for the study abroad programme.

Provide supporting documents and receive support

You may have to provide certain supporting documents. For example, you might need to provide a statement from your health care provider to request modifications to your accommodation abroad or a statement from a student counsellor to request specific exam arrangements at your host university.

Please note that due to privacy regulations, we cannot disclose a disability, neurodivergence or chronic illness to a host university. So it is up to you whether you would like to let your host university know about your specific situation and it also is your own responsibility to request any support or arrangements you may need.

Financial Support

For students interested in the Erasmus+ exchange programme, there are grants available specifically for students with a disability or health issues. For more information, please consult the Erasmus+ exchange programme and grant page.

Share your experience

In order to provide better support to students with a disability, neurodivergence or chronic illness who are planning to go abroad, it would be very valuable to learn from the experiences of students who have already embarked on their studying abroad journey. We encourage all students with a disability, neurodivergence or chronic illness to share their experience with us through filling out this anonymous formExternal link. The data from the questionnaire will not be published but will be used by the UvA International Offices to improve the support we offer.