{"id":1065,"date":"2022-08-15T00:20:53","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T05:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/?page_id=1065"},"modified":"2026-06-24T13:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T18:24:11","slug":"religion-and-faith","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/identity-resources\/religion-and-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"Religion + Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Students who have specific religious or faith practices or no religion at all may experience unique opportunities and challenges while studying abroad\/away.\u00a0 In many parts of the world, religion and faith play a large role in the local culture, customs, and norms.\u00a0 This offers students a unique opportunity to practice, explore, and experience their traditions in another context \u2013 or juxtaposed with and\/or alongside other religious or faith traditions.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Do your research!\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0How is religious or faith tradition practiced in your host community?\u00a0 What does the religious or faith community look like in your host community?\u00a0 How visible are they?\u00a0 What is the dominant practice in the host community?\u00a0 How does the dominant practice relate to your traditions and\/or observations?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Can you attend services, holidays, events, etc.?\u00a0 Are their organizations you can join?\u00a0 What are the cultural appropriate ways you can participate in religion and faith practices, holidays, traditions, etc. that are not yours in the host community?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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The Smith Center strongly encourages you to speak with us, College Ministry<\/a>, or with the on-site faculty or program directors about what your needs may be while off campus.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0How can you support the religious or faith needs, traditions, etc. of peers, your host family, etc.?\u00a0 Is your host community tolerant or accepting of other religions or faiths \u2013 how about of a-religious, atheist, and agnostic identified individuals?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Is is safe and\/or legal for you to practice, wear religious symbols\/clothing, etc.?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Will your host community observe times of fasting while you are on your program?\u00a0 If so, how will you participate or not?\u00a0 If you do not plan to participate, consider how you may access food during the fasting period (if shops and restaurants are closed).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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