Being a First Generation College Student Abroad

Being a First-Gen college student is something special yet difficult to navigate. When beginning the college application process, I was left to figure this out on my own through the support systems of my school and my family. Not having someone pave the way for me to follow in their footsteps allowed me to make my own decision for my personal story. This led me to choose my wonderful school, Wofford College, for which I could not be more grateful. 

Within my first few months at my new school, we had a study abroad interest fair. Knowing nothing about studying abroad and never having traveled alone out of the country before, I knew this was something I wanted to do. I wanted to be able to prove to myself that a label does not define who I am or make me any less than my peers. I decided to study abroad for a month in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and study Sociology. This experience was so exceptional to me and my friendships. I traveled with two of my closest friends, who helped me navigate this new journey. With the encouragement of my school, family, and friends, I was able to fulfill this study abroad journey to the fullest. 

Deciding to study abroad for an entire semester was an easy "yes". The opportunity to study in a new place, with new people, while gaining new knowledge is something I was eagerly excited about. I knew this was the exact step in my education that I needed to take to fulfill my career aspirations. I was able to depend on my school's resources to help the transition and application process go smoothly. I applied for many scholarships, submitted applications early, and used my school's batch processing system for my visa application. (This was a HUGE lifesaver, highly recommended). Use your resources and reach out to people who have had a similar experience as you. This will provide a sense of comfort knowing you are not alone. 

As a first-generation college student, I am always very curious and have a strong sense of purpose in life. The intense feeling I had to study abroad was something that has benefited me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I have become more engaged with those around me in my new home, and the memories I have created are ones that I can not wait to share with those who helped me get here. I also have a strong sense of curiosity about what is going on around me. I have asked questions that help me understand better those in the community around me. As a first-generation student, I've found that it can be challenging to fully appreciate the benefits without a personal connection to someone who has gone through a similar experience. This not only applies to First Generation students, but to anyone who has a "label" that they feel defines who they are. Do it scared and be so grateful for the experience you have done for yourself.