Study Abroad: A First-Generation Student's Guide
👋 Hello and welcome,
☆ If you are reading this, I'm guessing you must be interested in studying abroad. You might have been given the link to this blog post by Lawrence University's study abroad office. Maybe you are a first-gen college student like me and would like to hear about my experience! If so, I am super excited to guide you the best that I can through the steps that could help you succeed in studying abroad!
💭 I'd like to start off by sharing how although obtaining recognition as a first-generation college student is cool and all, the thing I was most looking forward to when it came to university was studying abroad. I knew that going to university was going to be an expensive and challenging thing. Although exciting, the idea of studying abroad was adding a bit more stress to the mix since I knew the process would hold its own difficulties.
💸 Finding study-abroad opportunities wasn't hard. My university had posters up around campus, encouraging students to apply and letting them know where their office was located in case they needed help applying. The main struggle I had was with the fact that studying abroad would be expensive – we'd have to buy plane tickets to and from the country we'd be studying at, pay tuition, and have enough to spend on once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
✏ Being the first in the family to go to university meant that there was no immediate family member who could ease my worries by letting me know that there are ways to fund study abroad experiences. This ended up pushing me (a quiet and shy person) to attend meetings to learn about the financial assistance that exists for students who would like to study abroad. This is one of the reasons why I am creating this blog: I would like [reserved] students to be able to learn about these resources in a comfortable and straightforward manner.
🙌 After sharing my interest in studying abroad, I was sent multiple follow-up emails full of additional information regarding programs that were available and lots of deadlines that were important for the application process of both the study abroad programs as well as scholarships. One of the scholarships I happened to take note of and applied to is the Gilman Scholarship. This was, by far, the most generous scholarship I received, and the best part is that it wasn't even difficult to apply for it!
🌏 The Gilman Scholarship is a scholarship that can be received only once. It awards of up to $5,000 for up to one academic year of undergraduate study abroad. Its mission statement is to:
Develop a generation of future American leaders who represent the rich diversity of the nation and have the international networks and skills to advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity. Expand the U.S. student population that studies and interns abroad, helping more young Americans to gain the professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers. Broaden the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad, in order to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values, including in developing countries and countries critical to U.S. national security.
🙋 To be eligible to apply, you must be:
- a citizen or national of the United States
- an undergraduate student in good standing at a two-year or four-year institution
- receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application
- in the process of applying to, or accepted to, a study abroad program, and
- applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2.
✅ The application process is divided into two easy steps:
- Submit the application by the student deadline: This consists of sharing your transcript and advisor information, as well as writing 3 essays. One describes why you chose the specific program/country and your overall goals. The other describes how you'll share your American culture and learn about the host country's culture to build meaningful relationships. The final one describes the project you will do to increase awareness of study abroad and the Gilman Scholarship in your campus community.
- Ensure that both Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifying Advisors certify your application by the advisor deadline.
- Application Opens: Mid-August 2023
- Student Deadline: October 5, 2023, 11:59pm pt
- Advisor Certification Deadline: October 12, 2023, 11:59pm pt
- Email Notification: December 2023
😄 The Gilman Scholarship definitely eased my financial stress. I love how they assist students on their journey financially, but also mentally since the application process pushes you to describe your goals and purpose in studying abroad in the country you'd like to go to.
🛫 From July until November, I studied abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. I wanted to go there since my freshman year when I first started looking at the programs that were available and fell in love with the classes that were offered there. I also thought it'd be fun to study abroad in a country I didn't know much about (I was surprised when I learned I'd have to pack for the winter season and then further shocked to learn that the winter season there was actually just a rainy season). I finally got to go and it was during my first term as a senior. I loved that this was how I was ending my final year at university. Some memorable moments during my time abroad included a Maori homestay experience, island hopping on a regular basis, planting trees, having dinner in the Sky Tower on my first day there, working as a childcare reliever, attending a live rugby game, and visiting iconic filming locations, a black sand beach, and glowworm caves! I loved my experience abroad and I hope this blog inspires you to apply and experience a part of the world that interests you!
🕑 Some additional advice I'd like to offer you is that if you dislike packing as much as me, make sure you create a packing list of essential objects and start packing early so you aren't stressing before your flight. Also, make sure you don't overpack so you can bring back a few souvenirs from your travels! Along those lines, make sure you pack properly. Keep important objects in your carry-on (documents like your passport and visa). Arrive early to the airport to avoid any flight complications. Keep an open mind; you'll be visiting a country with people and cultures different from your own. Find those opportunities to exchange cultural differences (I think this is so much fun to talk about with the people you meet in your study abroad country!). Try to list a few places you'd like to visit during your stay– although you're studying abroad, you shouldn't just focus on your studies. Make sure you try new things (food and experiences) and also find a "safe place" in your location (for instance, if you like museums like me, add a few popular museum locations to your bucket list). Take lots of photos to remember your adventures! You'll love looking back and showing them to your friends and family.
🌟 Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post! I really appreciate it and I hope it was informational for you. Please don't hesitate to leave any questions in the comment section! I will be keeping an eye on any questions that come through and attempt to answer them to the best of my ability. Remember that everyone deserves the chance to study abroad without having to stress about the cost! Stay healthy and well!
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