This section comes as a result of a concern about sexual harassment, which, in a study abroad context, can be defined as any unwanted sexual advances from anyone with power over any aspect of your stay overseas, including your living arrangements and your educational or work environment. Sometimes it is difficult to evaluate whether or not you are being harassed. For example, Americans sometimes react with discomfort to the normal conversational distance between people in a culture they are exploring, and you should be aware of your own feelings within that context. However, no one studying abroad, male or female, should have to suffer from unwelcome sexual pressure.

In a conversation with a former participant, UAlbany learned that there have been isolated incidents of students in homestay situations being subjected to sexual harassment taking the form of a request for company or sexual favors by a host family member. Should you be the object of such advances, say no firmly. Should it persist, inform the appropriate officials, request a change of families, and also contact this office so that we can intervene as necessary on your behalf. Even if you think that you have handled the problem adequately on your own, please tell us about it so that another student less able to deal with it is not placed in the same situation.

UAlbany by no means wishes to suggest that sexual harassment is the norm in homestay arrangements, for it is not. You should not interpret every offer of shared activity in the negative, but rather accept most invitations as an expression of hospitality and an effort to acquaint you with a new culture. However, if you find that you are the target of what are clearly repeated sexual advances, then you should go to the appropriate person to report it and request a change of residence.

If you wish to discuss this or any other matter of concern, please do so. This office operates a fax machine (518-591-8171) and telephone answering machine (518-591-8170) around the clock and gets email at studyabroad@uamail.albany.edu.

We can be also be reached by phone during normal working hours and after hours in emergencies.