Grants to support disables students' mobility
Founded in 1973, the CGE (Conférence des grandes écoles) brings together companies, grandes écoles and member organizations. Its aim is to combat discrimination against students with disabilities and improve their access to study abroad. Since 2017, the CGE has been campaigning with other associations for the creation of an "international status for foreign students with disabilities". Aware of the more significant difficulties for these students to study abroad, the association has been offering special international mobility grants every year since 2019.
In this year's edition, 40,000 euros in grants were released for 15 students with disabilities. The CGE's choice was made after studying the applications of the various applicants. The scholarship holders will study in New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Japan, Colombia and Belgium.
The CGE intends to release even more funds to reach more students. In 2021, CGE engineers Mélanie De Sousa and Xavier Quernin published 79 solutions to promote the mobility of students with disabilities. Among their proposals were the creation of disability referral units in embassies and the introduction of incentives to encourage private insurance companies to cover all student medical expenses. In 2023, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for the Disabled took up their proposals. Disability counselor positions have been created in capitals such as Berlin, Lisbon and Mexico City.
Solutions for studying abroad with a disability
Traveling with a disability is indeed more restrictive. However, there are ways to overcome this limitation or rather to cope with it better. The European Erasmus+ program is committed to being accessible to students with disabilities. Other organizations and institutions are mobilizing to promote the mobility of students with disabilities. Eligibility for these programs depends on nationality, level of study, and English proficiency.
Going abroad with Erasmus+
The European Union (EU) mobility program is fully accessible to students with disabilities. The application procedures remain the same as for other students. Applicants must apply through their school or organization with an Erasmus project. For example, students can contact their university's international relations department. Some universities have a disability advisor and partnerships with advisors at other universities abroad.
The university will submit the student's application. The Erasmus+ program will cover any additional costs related to the selected student's disability (accessible accommodation, medical follow-up, assistance from a life assistant, etc.).
Other study-abroad programs
The Bureau de Coopération Internationale (BCI) for Quebec, the International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP), the Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Echanges Franco-Américains (MICEFA) and the Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program (TASSEP) are 4 programs that allow students with disabilities to study abroad.
The BCI allows students to study at a Quebec university for one year or one semester. The program is open to students who have completed their first year of studies and who are in good academic standing. Students who wish to take courses in English must pass language tests.
The ISEP program brings together about 300 universities in more than 50 countries (about 130 universities in the US). The program allows students from member universities to participate in academic exchanges for one or two semesters. To apply, candidates must have completed at least two years of a bachelor's degree and pass a language test.
Reserved for students enrolled in a university in the Ile-de-France region, the MICEFA program allows students to spend a semester in one of the network's American or Canadian universities. Applications are open to students in their second year of study. A language test is recommended.
TASSEP brings together Canadian, American and European universities. It is reserved for science students and allows them to study at universities in the network. To apply, you must have completed at least the first year. Here also, the language test is recommended.
Scholarships from organizations, private companies, and universities
Many private companies, universities and international organizations also offer scholarships for mobile students with disabilities.
Large multinational companies like Google and Microsoft have established their own scholarships for students with disabilities. The Google Lime Scholarship program enables international science students to pursue their studies in the United States or Canada. The scholarships are worth $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, for one year. The Microsoft Disability Scholarship Program is open to high school and college students who are "passionate about technology". All international students are eligible to apply. Successful applicants will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
The University of Adelaide, Australia, offers the Alastair McEwin Scholarship to Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Australia, and permanent humanitarian visa holders. Other scholarships are available, such as the Snowdon Trust Scholarship for students with physical or sensory disabilities. This scholarship enables them to study at a higher education institution in the UK. Any student can apply, regardless of nationality. Students with refugee status are also eligible.
Studying abroad with a disability but without a program
It's still possible to study abroad without a program. However, for students with disabilities, it requires more organization and funding. The advantage of a program is that it provides a framework. Sometimes, however, the program may not suit the student's needs (for example, the duration is too short). It can also happen that the student is not eligible for the program, for example, because of their nationality. The student may also choose to refrain from registering with a program to challenge their ability to study abroad.
Whether or not they choose to register with a program to move overseas, students with disabilities are always encouraged to plan for their future lives with adjustments depending on their profile. For instance, students with disabilities should pay close attention to the conditions at their university abroad (e.g., the presence of a disability advisor), transportation, state and accessibility of infrastructure, etc. Many cities still have a long way to go in this regard, and all these criteria should be considered when choosing a university abroad.
If possible, it is recommended that you get in touch with former international students. Some of them may still be living abroad. They'll be a helpful source of expertise and a point of contact for mobile students. It's important to keep in touch, even more so when you're abroad. Following the experiences of students with disabilities who have successfully completed their study abroad can be another source of motivation for aspiring travelers.
Useful links:
Programme québécois d'échanges étudiants (BCI)
European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education
European platform Inclusive Mobility
Microsoft disability scholarship
The University of Adelaide (Australia) – The Alastair McEwin AM Scholarship
