First Generation

As a first generation student, you have the incredible opportunity to be the first in your family to ever study abroad while in college! As the first person in your family to be presented with such a unique experience, you likely have many questions; the Global Learning Office staff is here to help you get the process started.

DISCUSS YOUR STUDY ABROAD PLAN

Schedule an appointment with your GLO adviser to discuss your study abroad plans and any other questions you might have.
Contact financial aid office to learn how your NU financial aid will apply to study abroad, review costs and budgeting, and discuss scholarship opportunities.
Reach out to returnees who can share their experiences abroad or GLO Ambassadors who identify as first-gen.
Contact Student Enrichment Services for additional resources and support.
Other campus offices can help you fully leverage your experiences abroad:

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

Many third-party organizations offer additional support for students who identify as first-gen. We encourage you to explore these resources as you embark on your study abroad adventure.

I'm First (an online community featuring student blogs and video stories)
GoAbroad.com (an in-depth resource of study abroad tips for first-gen students)
IFSA Unpacked (blogs discussing study abroad experiences with diverse identities)
IES Abroad (blogs and stories from first-gen students studying abroad)
All Abroad (a resource for students and parents interested in study abroad)

Study Abroad Scholarships

Many scholarships are available for study abroad, and some are reserved specifically for first-generation college students. We've compiled a list of scholarships to help you get started.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Student Experiences

Gabriela Czochara

WCAS 2021 | Spanish Language and Culture in Barcelona; GESI Guatemala; Oxford University

"I was definitely set on studying abroad going into college, I just didn’t think I’d start considering it so early into my four years at Northwestern. I have always wanted to (and still want to) experience and learn about other cultures and languages, and I knew college would be the ideal time to take advantage of opportunities to do so."

"My mom was worried about me going abroad for six weeks because it is just the two of us, so she’s quite protective of me. Convincing her, however, was not as difficult as I was afraid it would be; I think she realized and understood what this trip would mean for me and the positive impact it would most likely make on my life."

"What surprised me most while studying abroad was how eager I was to be more independent and willing to step out of my comfort zone. Even though attempting to speak a foreign language and interacting with native people of another country was stressful at first, I realized there was no better way to fully appreciate the culture and immerse myself than to just go for it and be open with those I met and with the unfamiliar customs I encountered."

Advice for First-Gen Students: "There are so many resources! Reach out! When I first decided I wanted to study abroad, I started with one office and was continuously referred to other offices, people, scholarships, and websites that ended up answering all my questions and significantly helping me along the way. I am so grateful these resources are open to students and whoever is interested in studying abroad should definitely seek them out."

Marco Espino

WCAS 2020 | Madrid Internship

Cindy Mei

WCAS 2021 | China: Political and Economic Development; SU Abroad in Florence

Alisa Nazaire

Medill 2019 | King's College: University of London; Journalism Residency in South Africa; Berlin: Global City in the Center of Europe

"Going into college, I figured that I would end up studying abroad, but I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to make it happen. No one in my immediate family had gone to college so I really had no idea what to expect. I just knew that I wanted to travel and would make it happen no matter what."

"Was it hard to get my family on board? To be quite honest, I didn’t much give them a choice. I knew I wanted to study abroad from the moment I realized it was possible my first quarter here at Northwestern and I was determined to not let anything stop me from doing so. So it was less of getting my family on board and more like notifying them that they were already on it. I mean after I was already accepted and had gotten my financials in order all they could say when I told was “ok?”. I think I had more difficulty with coming to Northwestern than studying abroad!"

"The biggest surprise about my study abroad experience was that all of my problems didn’t magically disappear when I left the United States! I thought everything I hadn’t liked back in the U.S. would be left behind. I’d be a new and better me, with new and better surroundings. Turns out it was less about escaping my surroundings back at school and more about confronting myself. That process of coming to understand myself with no familiarity was powerful, needed and something I hadn’t come to understand my first year of college."

Advice for First-Gen Students: "Everyone should know that studying abroad as first generation students belongs more to us than any other student on this campus. For many of us we have not visited a country unrelated to our nationality or ethnicity outside of the United States and Americanness. The whole point of studying abroad is to enrich our life experiences and for many of us this will be the first time we can do so in completely new locations. Take advantage of it, because this is for us."

For more of Alisa's experiences, read her Diversity Abroad blog post.

Chloe Wong

WCAS 2021 | Public Health in Europe; GESI Vietnam; Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Exchange