Category Stories: First Generation
-
My Study Abroad Journey in Mexico Doesn’t End Here
posted on
The best way I can describe the discomfort of ending my study abroad experience is to compare it to finishing a good TV show. Going in, I felt that everything I wanted to accomplish would have to be done within the confines of this short time, within a season. My experience included characters, people I…
-
Unpacking the Gifts of Study Abroad in Ireland
posted on
As I pack up my dorm room and take one last walk through Galway, I’m reflecting on more than just the items I’m cramming into my suitcase. This journey has left me with something intangible that will outlast souvenirs and photos. I thought the hardest part would be saying goodbye to Ireland, but in truth,…
-
Finding Diversity and Belonging Through Study Abroad in Buenos Aires
posted on
Before coming to Argentina, I had a lot of anxiety. I was excited, of course, but I couldn’t ignore the nervousness bubbling underneath. As someone who identifies as both Black and Latina, I carried the weight of not knowing how I’d be perceived here. Would I be stared at? Would I face microaggressions? Would I…
-
From Wallflower to Wanderer: How I Learned to Embrace Adventure
posted on
Before studying abroad, I used to think adventure was meant for other people—bold, fearless, extroverted people. I admired it from a distance, but stepping into the unknown felt overwhelming. I was the kind of person who preferred a quiet evening with a book over a night out and who felt a twinge of anxiety at…
-
Familia: How Moving 2,700 Miles Away from Home Brought Me Closer to My Family
posted on
Marina, ¿por qué viniste a México? ¿Es porque tu familia es de aquí? I smile and nod warmly at my host mom’s question. Yes, I chose to come to Mexico because my family is from here. This answer seemed self-explanatory, the same way it’s simple to say that I’m Mexican when asked what my ethnicity…
-
Home Is Where I Build It: Finding Belonging in Prague
posted on
Prague was never supposed to be more than a destination on my map. Instead, it became a sanctuary where I discovered what home truly means. As a biracial, first-generation college student who has moved between a small town in Germany and a military base in the U.S., I’ve always understood home as something more fluid…
-
Study Abroad and Assimilation: Worth the Effort
posted on
“I haven’t gone there,” my host-mother declared in Spanish one night early in my study abroad experience. We were eating dinner together, and I was sharing my plans to go to a restaurant the next day with a few of my friends that I had made while studying in Sevilla, Spain. “It’s a place for…
-
Treading Water: The First-Gen Study Abroad Experience
posted on
Studying abroad as a first-generation college student feels a lot like being thrown into the deep end of a pool with no life raft and no map. I knew how to stay afloat, but I had no idea where I was going or what was beneath me. The excitement of being in a new country…
-
How to Tell Your Immigrant Family You Want to Study Abroad
posted on
If you come from an immigrant family, you can understand how intimidating it can be to tell them that you want to study abroad. Moving to a different country sounds less fun and exciting to many immigrant parents. It can also sound dangerous and unnecessary. Many immigrant parents have come to their new country under…
-
Simple Recipes That Make Life Abroad Sweeter
posted on
Moving to Prague as a first-generation student opened my eyes to the city’s vibrant food culture, but also to an unexpected reality: while most of my classmates easily navigate the city’s restaurant scene, dining out for every meal isn’t a luxury all of us can afford. This challenge led me to discover something beautiful—the way…
Blog Categories
- Uncategorized (50)