Spring semester in Spain was an experience of a lifetime for Angela, a student in international business who has systemic lupus. "going abroad was an irreplaceable experience; everyone should do it. It's more difficult if you have a disability, but it's so interesting to see how cultures differ." She says that some things surprised her about the experience. "It was harder and easier than I expected. It was harder because, for example, some streets in Europe are not paved, so getting around in a wheelchair is hard. But there's also a large sense of community and a different kind of focus. Spain has a national lottery, for example, in which all the money goes to [people with physical disabilities]. They don't make laws for little things like we do. The professors were so accommodating and flexible. I didn't need a doctor's letter for anything. I could just talk to my professor. The emphasis is on learning and how hard you're trying."
For students like Angela, there's little question whether study abroad has made a difference. "I had so much fun," she says. "I wouldn't replace the experience for anything in the world. It gave me my independence back. It's a challenge, but you feel wonderful. People had said to me, 'You can't do this.' And I did it!"
The information presented here is derived from the reports of students who studied through Access Abroad. Access Abroad does not endorse or verify the accuracy of disability information on specific to culture in the countries named.