Overview
Before you depart for your education abroad program, you should research your host country’s cultural behaviors towards religion, including the dominant religion (if there is one) and the degree of religious tolerance in the country. Many times, local religious practices inform the way that people are expected to present or behave. If you plan to practice your religion abroad, talk to host country representatives in advance and look into opportunities where you might be able to worship and observe your religious tradition.
We encourage you to discuss these topics with your advisers on campus and previous study abroad program participants. We also invite you to explore the following resources and insightful stories.
UM Resources
Resources, Guides, and Success Stories
General Resources
Diversity Abroad’s insightful tips
profile of the world.
provides news and commentary on religion worldwide.
: The Pluralism Project at Harvard University seeks to help Americans engage with the realities of religious diversity.
: The annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom – the International Religious Freedom Report – describes the status of religious freedom in every country.
For students searching for a particular religious or spiritual group abroad the following sites may prove helpful (adapted from ) CHECK
Agnostic/Atheist/Humanist
: IHEU is the world union of over a hundred Humanist, rationalist, secular, ethical culture, atheist and free thought organizations in more than 40 countries.
: List of organizations, including a limited number of international student organizations.
Buddhism
: Worldwide searchable database of Buddhist organizations.
: List of Buddhist communities in 66 countries.
Christianity
: International network of Christian ministries.
Many denominations have their own church directories. Try searching for your denomination and your host country or city name.
Hinduism
: Hindu temple directory in more than 50 countries.
Islam
: Directory of prayer times, Islamic organizations, and mosques worldwide.
: List of organizations and online resources worldwide.
: Directory of halal restaurants and stores worldwide.
Judaism
: List of synagogues worldwide.
Kahal Your Jewish Home Abroad aspires to give Jewish students studying abroad each year the resources, tools, and connections they need to meaningfully engage with the Jewish community and deepen their Jewish identity during their semester abroad.
: WUJS is an international umbrella organization comprised of 48 national independent Jewish Student Unions around the world.
: Directory of over 3,410 kosher restaurants and stores in over 70 countries.