Category Stories: First Generation
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Reflections of a First-Gen in Buenos Aires
Jon Erickson
posted on
Traveling to another country was never something I thought possible, especially not at this stage in my life. Being from a low-income background, the idea of international travel seemed like an unattainable dream. The expenses associated with it were daunting. For many years, both of my parents lacked proper documentation, which limited our ability to…
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How to Pack for Summer Study Abroad in London
Jon Erickson
posted on
Ever since I started college, I’ve dreamed of studying abroad. With just a couple of semesters left, it was now or never. When I applied and got accepted into the London School of Economics for a summer program, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I had four months to prepare for an experience I would forever…
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Exploring My Mexican Identity in Mexico
Jon Erickson
posted on
I am the child of immigrants and a first-generation student. My parents moved to the United States from México before I was born. They wanted me to live where I would have opportunities they didn’t have growing up, to get a better education and live a better life. My mother believed in my future, so she…
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Four Ways to Make Study Abroad Happen on a Budget
Jon Erickson
posted on
As a low-income student, I didn’t think study abroad would be an option for me, but with encouragement from my study abroad advisor, I applied to a few programs. When I was accepted to the IFSA London program at King’s College, I was hesitant, knowing I couldn’t afford London prices for five months. Thankfully, with…
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How Pride and Community Empowered Me While Abroad in Rome
Jon Erickson
posted on
Being a part of minoritized communities while abroad may seem intimidating and scary, but my experiences with identity helped me through my first time in a foreign country. I am intersectional – there is not one identity that solely describes who I am. I am a First-Generation college student, I am queer, I am Asian…
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Are You Worried About Studying Abroad as a First-Gen Student?
Jon Erickson
posted on
Being a first-generation college student means creating open opportunities for yourself. It means having to navigate uncharted territories and becoming familiar with the unknown. As a first-generation college student, I am committed to not limiting myself in the possibilities to explore the world, expand my horizons, and take advantage of the opportunities provided to me.…
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The First of Firsts
Jon Erickson
posted on
Going abroad, in general, can be scary and challenging, however, I didn’t realize my experience would be so different compared to others. I am a First-Generation college student, the first to join Greek life, the first to join clubs/organizations, and the first to ever leave the United States. Because I was having so many firsts…
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How to Make Study Abroad Possible
Jon Erickson
posted on
How to Make Study Abroad Possible I understand really well what it means to have to constantly worry about having enough money to support myself. As a low-income student and having to work part-time job in college to subsidize my study expenses, I used to long to study in another country, but I always dismissed…
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Putting the “Study” in Study Abroad
Jon Erickson
posted on
Putting the “Study” in Study Abroad When participating in a Study Abroad program, the “studying” aspect of the experience can sometimes take a back seat to everything else there is to do while living in a foreign country, to the detriment of your academic performance. Especially in the first month, there seems to be a…
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How to Navigate Study Abroad as an International Cambodian Student
Jon Erickson
posted on
Why I Go Abroad? Despite the cancellation of my previous program and the fact that I am in the middle of a pandemic, I did not give up on study abroad. I got asked “why Ireland? Why study abroad when you are already abroad? Why leave a community you have become familiar with and go…
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