I was recently at the CIEE conference on study abroad in Paris, filling myself up with chocolate croissants as I met so many amazing people who run CIEE’s study abroad programs around the world. As they described the programs’ accessibility features and some of the students with disabilities they have hosted in the past, it just made me think, “Oh my goodness; I want to go THERE!”
I would love to study in Edinburgh, Berlin, London and more. And beyond Europe, they have so many study centers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. When I heard about all of the scholarships that CIEE offers both for people from the United States who want to go abroad, as well as for people who want to come to the U.S. from other countries, I just kept asking myself, “So where are all the people with disabilities?”
Why aren’t more people with all types of disabilities applying for these programs, especially when there are sometimes full scholarships or partial scholarships?
Those who use wheelchairs or who have physical or mobility disabilities may be especially interested to know that many of the newest CIEE study centers are being built with accessibility in mind. Of course, people with disabilities have the right to apply to any program that they are passionate about, whether it is accessible or not. This is “challenge by choice,” and it is most important that people who go abroad find a place that speaks to their heart and soul.
When I heard about some of the new wheelchair-accessible features at the Edinburgh study center as well as those in Berlin and Paris, I just wanted to let people know about them! Most importantly, I want people to know all about CIEE’s many scholarships, so here they are! Don’t take another moment to procrastinate – look through these opportunities and imagine yourself there. Imagine someone you know or someone you’re advising going there. Then contact CIEE for more information! The more people with disabilities are aware of incredible opportunities like these, the more we can increase the representation of people with disabilities in all types of international exchange.
I encourage each of you to follow your dreams – especially when scholarships are available!
One of the highlights of my own life was cycling through the outer Hebrides of Scotland, with my electric tricycle towing my wheelchair behind me.
I’ve also traveled to places such as Edinburgh and Prague, where I needed to navigate cobblestones or other rough terrain while getting around in my wheelchair. You may have to do the same! For those situations, I highly recommend getting an attachment for your wheelchair, such as a FreeWheel, which allows a person’s wheelchair to easily maneuver over cobblestones.
Traveling in a manual wheelchair typically requires a lot of arm strength. However, for times when I needed assistance, I brought along an electric assist device that I can quickly attach to my wheelchair whenever I need it. (Check out SmartDrive or SMOOV). It’s the best of both worlds!
While CIEE has been a long-standing organization since 1947, the CIEE Edinburgh Centre opened in 2023. Their first students arrived in January 2024. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, and CIEE is committed to making studying abroad accessible to all students.
This begins with their unique study center located in Edinburgh’s Eric Liddell Community Centre, a facility that is committed to bringing people together in the community. The building has a permanent ramp to the entrance with automatic doors, and two lifts on either side of the building.
CIEE offers a number of programs available in Edinburgh, from 3-4 week study abroad experiences, to a semester study abroad, or even an internship. You can find further information, including requirements and costs about the various programs, below.
While studying abroad, CIEE wants students to be immersed in Scottish culture both inside and outside the classroom. To achieve this, it provides a host of cultural activities and excursions. CIEE ensures that all of the activities and excursions are designed to be wheelchair accessible and that its students can participate in all aspects of the program. This semester, CIEE is excited to bring students to the Scottish parliament and learn about Scotland’s past and present politics, have a taste of traditional Scottish cuisine like haggis, and admire the scenery of the Royal Botanical Gardens.
It is important to note that Edinburgh is a hilly city with uneven cobblestones. However, public transportation is 100% wheelchair accessible. The staff at Lothian Buses work in partnerships with Whizzkids to ensure that all drivers and customer support advisors receive training on how best to accommodate those using their services as wheelchair users. Edinburgh also has a tram and two train stations, which all include step-free entrances and lifts.
Find a list of city-specific resources on CIEE’s website here.
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