Lynley Bowen studied abroad in Sweden in Summer 2024.
Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, one that broadens horizons, fosters personal growth, and creates lasting memories. For me, this transformative journey was made possible through the support of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Reflecting on my time abroad, I’m reminded of the countless ways the scholarship shaped my experience and made my dream of studying in another country a reality.
My name is Lynley Bowen and I am a 2024 Gilman Alumni from Farmington, Arkansas studying communication sciences and disorders. Without the help of the Gilman Scholarship, I never would have been able to live out my study abroad dreams. I had the opportunity to participate in the Health Teams Abroad Sweden program. We visited different healthcare facilities in the United States prior to our departure, and visited the facilities in Sweden for a comparison.
As a first-generation college student coming from a single parent household, college has already been initially difficult to navigate. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to study abroad. The Gilman Scholarship made it possible. Getting to study abroad is an experience that has forever shaped my college experience and has helped me become a more well-rounded person. Getting immersed in a culture other than your own is a powerful, character-building opportunity.
When I first decided to study abroad, the financial aspect felt like a weight on my shoulders. As a college student in charge of the majority of their financials, I worried that this incredible opportunity might remain out of reach. That’s when I learned about the Gilman Scholarship, a program designed to assist students with financial need in pursuing international education. Applying for the scholarship was not only an opportunity to potentially fund my study abroad program, but also a chance to reflect on my goals and professional aspirations.
During my time abroad, I grew in ways I never anticipated. I made lifelong friends along the way. My peers and faculty leaders helped me grow personally and academically. Studying abroad allowed me to experience different ways of healthcare that I never would have seen without going.
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Communication sciences and disorders major Lynley Bowen spent the summer 2024 term abroad with the U of A Faculty-led: Health Teams Abroad in Swedenprogram with support from the Gilman Scholarship.
Hi! My name is Morgan Clupka. I’m a Fay Jones Interior Architecture major who studied Interior Architecture in Rome for five weeks this summer. I participated in the interior architecture summer program created by the University of Arkansas Rome Center, and am now blogging to share my experiences and what I have learned from them.
For me, as an interior architecture major, studying abroad is required to graduate. So, even though the thought of traveling without my family and leaving the country for the first time was quite nerve-wracking and scary, especially, with war and sickness as large topics in the world right now, I had to go abroad to earn my degree. In the end, this was actually a good thing for me because it got me out of my comfort zone.
First Generation Experience
I never really was the type to fantasize about traveling the world or leaving the country. Mainly because my family has never had the means to do these things. As a first-generation college student, I have been the first in my family to experience a lot of things. All the way from the first to fill out the FASFA to the first to get a passport being a first-generation can be hard. Our families want to help us with these new experiences, but a lot of times they just don’t know how to help or even where to begin. Everything is a learning process. If studying abroad wasn’t required for my major I would have never been able to go because traveling abroad is not considered a financial priority for my family. I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to study in Rome this summer. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me that I will never forget.
The Hard Truth
To be honest, not everything was sunshine and gelato. Living in an apartment with three other girls, trying new foods, figuring out transportation, struggling with the language, etc. can affect people. Stress can make people act completely differently than they normally act on a day-to-day basis. This is one thing that I wish I would have fully understood before studying abroad. They tell us during pre-departure meetings and orientations that studying abroad can affect your mental health, but I did not expect the drama that would ensue from the stress of being abroad. In my apartment, my roommates and I struggled largely with communication in times of stress from tasks like transportation to and from places to things as simple as agreeing on a restaurant. No one's study abroad experience will be 100% perfect.
Soak It All In
Studying abroad, in general, is A LOT. You’re living in a whole new country, learning the culture, learning the language, taking in all new views, and you’re doing all of this basically by yourself. You may be lucky enough to have a few school friends with you, but you still won’t have the same support system that you are used to having back at home. Studying abroad, when it’s only for five weeks, is also very fast-paced. Everything was go, go, go. We had little time to rest and even less time to do the required homework. Rome itself is also very fast-paced, it can be hard to take it all in. My advice would be to take it slow and try not to get overwhelmed. There is no need to walk fast in the streets. Try looking around, maybe stop in a shop to check it out, grab a coffee, or if you are in a rush make sure to take note of fun places you see and want to explore later. Keeping visual reminders of everything I experienced was very important to me. I would recommend that if you have a phone with low storage like me, then you should invest in a flash drive that connects to your phone and stores pictures. Pictures will QUICKLY take up A LOT of SPACE. When I went on excursions, I took pictures of everything, even the tiny little details. Just don’t forget to put the phone down and take it all in with your own eyes in between photo montages.
Journaling
One thing that worked well for me was using a sketchbook to journal, sketch, and scrapbook my experience. I brought one of my favorite sketchbooks from home, but you could easily buy one from anywhere you are studying. It was actually required for my studio class that we fill four pages worth of our sketchbook for every class that we had. This added to a lot of sketches, as we had studio almost every day. Trying to keep up with this was definitely stressful. I would recommend if you are required to do this make sure you stay on top of it and do the four sketches everyday. If you fall behind four turns into twenty and that is basically impossible to find the time to do. Also, I recommend that if your classes give you a syllabus with a schedule on it, make sure you keep that and check it every day to see what you’ll be doing, how to prepare, and to keep up with outside-of-class assignments. I am grateful that I journaled and sketched for my classes because it gave me an outlet, a place to put all the fun things I had learned and seen during my time in Rome. I placed ticket stubs, metro passes, and postcards in there too for safe keeping and memories. Studying abroad was an excellent academic experience for me. I loved seeing all of the art and design from art history in person, all things that I had learned in class previous to the trip. It was kind of like getting to meet your celebrity crush or famous mentor. Tears of joy were definitely shed when visiting places like the Uffizi Gallery, the Laurentian Library, and the Sistine Chapel.
Coping Resources
Another thing that I would like to add about journaling your experience is that journaling can also help you cope with the stress and overwhelming emotions you may be feeling while abroad. You can write about how you feel each day and why you feel that way. Writing out how you are feeling often helps you process and it will be nice to look back later and remember exactly what was going through your head while you were abroad. Another resource for coping while you are abroad in Rome to be specific would be the staff at the University of Arkansas Rome Center. These people are here to help and they care about you and your experience abroad. They are super nice and will listen to anything you may be going through and need help with!
The Bottom Line
With COVID still around I wasn’t sure if I would get to study abroad or if the experience would be as enriching as it had been for others in past years. After getting to study abroad recently I can honestly say that studying abroad is one of the most enriching experiences of a lifetime, even with COVID in the world. The only things that were affected by COVID were transportation (with the requirement of an FFP2 mask) and some of the places that were allowed to travel to and visit as a large group. This blog really only skims the surface of the overall study abroad experience and how exciting and fulfilling it can be. I hope if you choose to study abroad yourself, you will take my advice and take it slow, soak it all in, document memories, and reach out if you need help!
Article courtesy of IFSA-Butler "Unpacked" Blog Kelly Slatery is a Cognitive Science student at the University of Virginia and attended the IFSA-Butler Spanish Translation and Linguistics in Buenos Aires Programin Argentina in 2016. Kelly is an International Correspondent for IFSA-Butler through the Work-to-Studyprogram.When it comes to studying abroad, we all have our own challenges to
overcome—some we share, some we differ on. But what is a common thread
among all of us is that it took the support of our families to get here.
While a lot of my peers on this program, myself included, got the
support and encouragement we needed from our families, we still dealt
with other challenges like: our parents’ worries, financial struggles,
extra responsibility, and even skepticism. But whatever challenges we
faced, we’re here now. Here’s how Amber, Chris, and Dylan talked their
parents into it:
Amber: Economics & Psychology major at Northwestern University
First-Generation College Student
“What was your parents’ biggest concern with you going abroad?” Amber: “I’m a first-generation college student, so I’ll be
the first to graduate with a four-year degree. They were mostly
thinking, ‘How is this going to happen?’ and not wanting me to start the
study abroad process and then not be able to go.” Some of Amber’s other family members also reacted with skepticism at
her decision to study abroad at all, let alone in a country that doesn’t
speak English.
“How did these concerns play out?” Amber: “My school is thankfully super involved in terms of
financial aid for study abroad, so I already knew I was going to try to
do a program that was either through my school or approved by my school
because then the financial aid process would be really easy. I also
looked into IFSA-Butler scholarships and applied and got the First Generation Scholarship.”
Amber started researching possible programs and financial aid
resources at the end of her first year. On top of a scholarship from
IFSA-Butler, she also found a scholarship from her community back home
that covers all of her academic expenses while abroad. In terms of
answering to her family’s skepticism, Amber was honest and explained
that she wanted to skip the “College 2.0” experience by not going on a
large program through her school to places that were common tourist
destinations for Americans.
Dylan: Sociology major at Bates College
LGBTQ+, Jewish
“What was your parents’ biggest concern with you going abroad?” Dylan: “They were a little concerned with how Argentina would influence me because of my sexuality because I’m gay.”
Cultures around the world vary drastically in terms of their
acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities, so Dylan’s parents were understandably
worried about how his identity might be received abroad. However, they
were generally very supportive of him, especially since his older
siblings had already braved the terrains of Russia, South Africa, and
China. After that, Argentina seemed relatively close to home to them.
“What did you do to counteract those fears?” Dylan: “I did research and Argentina is one of the most
gay-friendly countries in South America, and I guess the fact that it’s
the Jewish center of South America as well doesn’t hurt.” Dylan’s family is also Jewish, so the knowledge that there would be a
large faith community he could depend on while he was in Buenos Aires
was also reassuring to his parents.
“And how did those fears play out in Buenos Aires?” Dylan: “When you read that Argentina is the gay capital of
South America, you get a certain image in your mind, so when I came
here, I was surprised because there’s barely any visibility—there’s no
two people of the same gender holding hands, there’s no gay
neighborhoods really… There is a pride parade in November they have
every year!” However, Dylan has occasionally attended Hibbad, an organization that
connects international and local Jews. After getting the organizer’s
contact info, they grabbed a coffee, and now Dylan says Hibbad “has been
a lot like being around during the holidays at home. In terms of that,
it hasn’t been hard to find a community.”
Chris: Latin American History major at Cornell University
Type I Diabetic
“What was your parents’ biggest concern with you going abroad?” Chris: “Getting all the diabetes stuff figured out… My
parents were really scared about it, but they didn’t want to say, ‘You
can’t do this because you have diabetes,’… At one point my dad was like,
‘Why don’t you just study in D.C. like your brother did?’” Dealing with diabetes is difficult anywhere, let alone in another
country on your own where there’s a language barrier and even your
insurance doesn’t work the same. Chris was scared, too, telling me,
“There were times when I was like, ‘This is too hard, I sort of don’t
want to do it because there’s so much fear involved in it.’”
“What convinced them (and you) that it was worth it despite the risk?” Chris: “Knowing that [fear] was a stupid excuse… I don’t
want to let diabetes limit me. I think that’s sort of what kept my
parents from outright saying ‘you can’t do this.’ What also made them
feel better was that they knew I was sort of just as scared about these
things as they were… They know that I’m a good diabetic. They were super
scared before college, but after those two years were done, they’d
gained some more confidence in me.”
Chris is also an aspiring Latin American history professor, and study
abroad presents him with the unique opportunity to gain experiences he
can speak to in that profession while he still has the freedom to travel
before post-graduation life. Study abroad is almost an academic
requirement to him.
“How have these fears played out in Buenos Aires?” Chris: “I just constantly need to have snacks on me, and I always make sure to carry some money on me, too.”
His parents, being worried, also sent him off with a huge reserve of
glucose tablets, which he has been thankful to have since he can’t find
anything like them here. In summary, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been
worth it.
At this stage in our lives, we are constantly struggling between
dependence and independence. And while living in a country thousands of
miles away from home may be about as independent as it gets, none of us
could have gotten here without the support of, and these conversations
with, our families.
--
“The stories we tell literally make the world. If you want to
change the world, you need to change your story. This truth applies both
to individuals and institutions.” –Michael Margolis
Truth is, no matter what your major, the world isn’t getting any less
global. Every industry in America is affected by globalization, and
study abroad is a way to get ahead in the marketplace. But, we know it’s
not as easy as it sounds. We all have obligations, concerns, time
constraints, jobs, responsibilities, hesitations. So that’s why we’re
here. Unpackedis a place to sort throughthe
stuff you need to know from what others are telling you (or not telling
you) straight from the source: each other. You don’t have to take it
from IFSA-Butler,
you can take it from the stories of your fellow students. International
study won’t just change your life—that’s too simplistic. It will change
your opportunities, your trajectory, your family, your tastes, your
resume, and, in turn, it will allow you to change the world around you.
Let’s get unpacking.
Commencement: A beginning, a
start. That’s what I was told at my high school graduation in 2012.
That life hadn’t even begun for me and that college was the first true
step to starting life. Well, here it is, 2016, and once again at commencement,
I was informed that this is just the beginning, that I now have been inducted
into the fabulous REAL World Hall of Fame. Scary.
As I reminisce back to my freshman
year, I realize that I was extremely timid yet so bold to tackle uncharted
waters as a first-generation college student. Statistically, the odds
were never in my favor. I’ve always heard the societal norms/opinions
that as an African American I wouldn’t graduate high school, that I wouldn’t be
admitted into college, and that, if I am part of the lucky bunch to attend
college, I will most likely give up and drop out. Here I am today,
officially an alumnus of THE University of Arkansas! A graduate from THE
Sam M. Walton College of Business! And an Area Manager for Amazon.com,
Inc. Oh, and did I mention that I was awarded over $50k in scholarships over
the course of 4 years and graduated with $0 of debt!? Now that’s
what you call defying the odds and crushing statistics!
I say all of that not to boast, but
to merely share my testimony and to encourage all of you reading this to pursue
your dreams and goals despite the odds and statistics of achieving them.
You may be thinking to yourself: “Cordarius, how did you do it?” Of
course it wasn’t easy. There were a lot great days and a lot of dark
days...and my senior year, it seemed to be more dark days than there were
bright. But regardless of the adversity I faced, I remained
focused. There were three things that helped me cope through the stress
each school year: God, family, and some amazing mentors I networked with on
campus. Because of those 3 tiers of support, my resilience strengthened
each year. I prayed (a lot) for God to bless me to make it
through. I called home (a lot) just to hear my family members
soothing voices so that I could regain my nerves after failing an exam
lol. And I asked for help and advice (a lot) from my network on
campus (notably the Office of Study Abroad and the Office of Diversity and
Inclusion in Walton).
One day I was talking to one of my
many mentors, Dr. Barbara Lofton. I was venting to her about exhausted I
was from studying, how I was ready to give up, and how I thought
all of my hard work had been in vain because I didn’t see the results I wanted
to see at that specific moment. I’ll never forget what she told me.
She said, “It’s not about you. It’s about your family. It’s about
making sacrifices so that you can support them.” The Light of Salvation’s
brightness amplified a thousand-fold! From that moment, I realized my
purpose. A purpose that was bigger than myself. That purpose was to
continue to strive for success regardless of the obstacles in my way because I
have a family to support.
With
that being said, if I can share one piece of advice to put in the How to
Succeed in College Rulebook (don’t go to Amazon or Barnes & Noble
looking for that book, I’m not sure it exists), I’d say find your
purpose. Your purpose will grant you serenity. Your purpose will
strengthen your resilience. Your purpose will give you something to strive
for. And, ultimately, your purpose will aid in your personal, academic,
and professional development.
All of my endeavors within the University strengthened my
purpose. From being a Student Ambassador, to studying abroad in Panama
and Vietnam, to all the professional development workshops, to all the support
and advice from my mentors, they all played a pivotal part in my scholastic
success. I am proud to say that I have earned the right to
declare: "I MADE IT!"
If, at any time in the six months
before I left to study abroad, someone asked me if I was nervous, I replied,
yes, of course (because hello, everything about this is anxiety-producing, but
not always bad nerves). And then, when they inevitably asked, “What’re you most
nervous about?”, nine out of ten times I probably said, “Money.”
Because studying abroad is not
inexpensive. There are ways to ease the financial strain and make it as
manageable as possible, yes, but the nature of the entire endeavor costs money.
Flights cost money. School costs money. Groceries for a new apartment and
transportation for a new city cost money.
First off - I am so, so lucky.
Privileged, to have a family (and mother - my mom is the MVP in all of this)
who support my efforts as much as possible, and to have a school that works to
make studying abroad as relatively painless as I can. I am also thankful for
the gratitude of family friends, strangers, past-teachers - everyone who helped
support my time abroad.
Even with all of that, I worked
really, really hard to make this possible. I worked two pretty-much fulltime
jobs this summer, gave up holidays with my family, and was the person who
declined invites out to dinner because I didn’t want to spend the money on
so-so Chinese. There were times, with certain circumstances, that I thought it
wasn't going to happen. Where I came out of a meeting with the business office
of my school and cried, because I felt defeated and frustrated. I am a first
generation college student - the first person in my family to go to college,
let alone to study abroad. Navigating all of the forms and deadlines and prices
was a stressful process.
And now, almost done with my time
here, I would do it all again, because it was completely worth it.
I worried about the money
constantly, and in the end, it didn’t matter nearly as much as I thought it
would. Because the experiences were worth it, because the places I have been
are amazing, because, as one of my professors told us, when someone lamented
the price of a flight: “That’s what money’s for, isn’t it?”
There are ways to cut costs to make
the strain easier, too. Before even getting to Dublin, I applied for multiple
study abroad grants, both those through my school and those unaffiliated. Now
that I'm here, I’m a sworn Lidl-convert shopper, because I can get a week’s
worth of groceries for under 20 euro (and it also doesn’t hurt that Lidl is
literally underneath my apartment building). I’ve pledged to walk anywhere that
is under an hour, because even though the 2,50 bus fare doesn’t seem
significant, it adds up. All of the Dublin museums worth visiting are free.
There are still times, of course,
when the stress (and sometimes even shame) attached with financial strain get
to me. Recently, many of my classmates have had their family and friends visit
in Dublin, and there’s definitely envy that I’ve had to deal with. Getting me
to Dublin was hard enough, let alone considering my family travelling as well.
Regardless, all of this boils down
to: it all works out; eventually, somehow. I wish I could tell my December self
to stop worrying so much, that the money problems would fade away in the
backdrop that is the rest of this city. I can’t, but I can tell any prospective
study abroad students. If we are in the same boat, if the money is tight and
just keeps getting tighter, if you are working long hours and squirreling away
every dollar you can: I am so proud of you, and it is going to be so worth it.
I have cried (overwhelming, happy
cries) in corners all around Europe, and my bank account is shrinking, and the
past two years of savings are gone, but I’m not worried about it.
Ariana Greco is a Business Management student at Providence College and studied abroad with IFSA-Butler at Queen Mary, University of London, England in 2015.
If someone had asked me freshman year of college if I was planning to
go abroad I probably would have said no. Growing up travel was never
stressed as an important aspect of life and I honestly didn’t think much
more into it. I was so focused on being the first person in my family
to go to college that I didn’t think studying abroad was something
important to focus on, or that it would be financially feasible for my
family or I to handle. Luckily junior year I was able to come to my
senses and realize that traveling is so important in establishing a rich
sense of culture, and that I knew my college experience would not have
been complete without packing my bags and leaving the country for
roughly six months.
Prior
to my junior year, I researched every place my school would allow me to
travel abroad to as a business major, praying that they would have a
program that suited my needs in London. For as long as I can remember I
always had a strong desire to learn more about a place that used to hold
such great importance as a massive empire. Growing up I loved living
through British literature and I constantly found myself reading
Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, Austen, and of course J.K Rowling. I
wanted to see the world they came from and I thought London would give
me the best look at it. While some children dreamed about visiting the
Eiffel Tower one day, I longed to spend endless hours watching Big Ben,
or admiring the beautiful parks London was known for. I did not pick
London simply because of the city itself, but also because of the
massive amount of history England holds and it soon would be all under the tips of my fingers.
When I found out IFSA Butler had a program at Queen Mary University
(the only closed campus in London), I knew it was meant to be. Not only
did I get to study in the city I had always read about, but I also got
to go with a program that would give me all the help and support I
desired while in England.
Though I was convinced on studying abroad in London and going through
IFSA-Butler the moment I saw the program, my family was much more
difficult to understand the meaning this program and city had to me.
It was hard enough for my family to understand the normal things that
happened to me back home in the college I went to in my home state,
because they never experienced college, as I have been fortunate enough
to do. However, I was always able to accept the fact that they wouldn’t
always understand aspects about my educational experience. I always
assumed that when I went abroad I would enlighten my Mom and family to
the world outside of Rhode Island. I wanted to provide them with an
opportunity to see a city I loved first hand, however I realized our
educational gap proved a problem. I absolutely love my Mom and I am
overjoyed at the fact that I was lucky enough to be a first generation
college student, however, there’s a large part of me that wishes they
could understand why not only a college education is important, but the
fact that studying abroad changes lives, and educates students unlike
any other experience they could possibly have.
Leading up to my departure it was hard to get my family on the same
page as me. Obviously my Mom supports me, as does the rest of my family,
but they just could not understand why I needed to leave the smallest
state in the country to study in the UK. Not only am I a first
generation college student, but I also live in Rhode Island and anyone
who is familiar with this small state knows that most people never
leave. Making the decision to travel to London,
the city of my dreams, was beyond easy for me to do, but to get my
entire family who didn’t understand the importance of this trip on board
was not easy. Even now a year after leaving for England I still do not
think that they understand the importance of my abroad experience.
At the Harry Potter Studio tour.
I can tell you without a doubt that going abroad is the best thing
you will ever do. It’s extraordinarily liberating to know that you’re
all alone in a country that is far from the one you spent the majority
of your life in. Everything suddenly becomes more exciting. Mundane
tasks such as going grocery shopping, or walking to class becomes an
adventure and around every corner something new can be discovered.
During all of the orientations prior to arriving in your city of choice
they always say that the excitement and the feelings you get upon first
arriving in your city will wear off and then that’s when
homesickness/cultural shock will set in however for me it was the
opposite. London never got boring and I never felt homesick there, if
anything I felt at home. I had my own apartment, a group of friends, the
ability to get up and travel any weekend I wanted, and people who truly
understood the captivating nature of the city I grew to love more and
more each day. For me the homesickness and cultural shock began on the
dreaded day of June 6th, the day I had to pick up, pack my
bags, leave my friends and the culture of which I was so well
accustomed; to head back home as a completely new person.
While for most people going home is just part of the study abroad
process for me it was more difficult than I could have imagined and I
think that’s due to the fact that I am a first generation student. When I
arrived at home my family immediately assumed I would be thrilled about
being back in Rhode Island. They were all so happy that I had this
experience, but they didn’t quite understand why I kept saying I didn’t
feel quite at home in RI anymore, or why I couldn’t stop bringing up the
fact that I needed to go back.
When I was in London
I was surrounded by people who saw the possibilities this city had to
offer. The bright lights, the diversity, the history and the fact that
no matter what time of day it was there was always visible life in the
city. When I came home no one in my family understood that London
was now a part of me. My study abroad experience didn’t end when I got
back on the plane to head back to Rhode Island, rather, it opened an
awakening within me that has inspired me to not only go back there to
live long term one day, but to travel the world any chance I get.
It’s been over a year since I departed for London, while my experience living there is over for now, I know I will never forget everything I learned while living there. London really did change my life and I am blessed that IFSA-Butler provided me with the opportunity to excel in another country as a First Generation Scholar.
To anyone out there who is thinking about studying abroad as a First
Generation student, just know that for you it’s going to be harder to
relate to your family when you get home. They’ll be lacking the culture
and education you received abroad, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
teach them everything you know about this new culture. Eventually your
family will be able to see how important this experience was for you.
While my Mom still may not be able to fathom why I fell in love with a
city oceans away, she finally understands the importance London holds in
my life, and that no matter where I am I’ll always yearn to go back to
my second home.
--
“The stories we tell literally make the world. If you want to
change the world, you need to change your story. This truth applies both
to individuals and institutions.” –Michael Margolis
In our effort to make study abroad more accessible and relevant than ever, the importance of telling our stories and creating new narratives is fundamental. The Institute For Study Abroad at Butler University
is an organization built on navigating cultures and shaping global
citizens, and so it is our responsibility to recognize and value the
unique cultural perspectives of all our constituencies. We believe in a collaborative community; our students, our staff, our IFSA-Butler family around the world learn from one another every day. And Unpacked is a vessel for what we’ve learned, how we’ve navigated, and what we
want to tell others still considering the journey of study abroad. Unpacked is largely driven by students themselves: our logo, our web design, and most of our articles are student contributions.
Truth is, no matter what your major, the world isn’t getting any less
global. Every industry in America is affected by globalization, and
study abroad is a way to get ahead in the marketplace. But, we know it’s
not as easy as it sounds. We all have obligations, concerns, time
constraints, jobs, responsibilities, hesitations. So that’s why we’re
here. Unpackedis a place to sort throughthe
stuff you need to know from what others are telling you (or not telling
you) straight from the source: each other. You don’t have to take it
from IFSA-Butler,
you can take it from the stories of your fellow students. International
study won’t just change your life—that’s too simplistic. It will change
your opportunities, your trajectory, your family, your tastes, your
resume, and, in turn, it will allow you to change the world around you.
Let’s get unpacking.
Are you a first generation traveler thinking of studying
abroad? Then take these tips from our interviewees: "If you're family is resistant, I say do it
anyway." Brittany
It's easier to travel now than ever before. If your family
is resistant to your desire to travel or your friends give you a hard time for
leaving them behind -- I say do it anyway. Then show them all the amazing
pictures you took! Tell them stories of all the amazing things you've done!
They will hopefully understand one day.
"Don't let fear (other people's or your own)
dictate where you travel." Al
I would say -- while using your smarts, of course -- don't
let fear (other people's or your own) dictate where you travel. I think it is a
good life lesson too, but I feel the thing I hear most from people reluctant to
travel or on the fence about it are fears. Fear of getting lost, not knowing
the language, fear of being a victim of a terrorist attack... I've heard a lot
of different ones. While there are clearly considerations to make (a good
example being, "I'm vegan -- what food staples are available where I am
going?") and I empathize with feeling fearful (I have depression and
anxiety, fear often surges through my veins), it is good to at least question
those fears if/when able. Just to make sure they aren't holding themselves back
from experiences that could end up being some of the best of their lives. Also, I LOVE LOVE photography. I like social media. Those things being said,
try to take in as much as you can. Sometimes you have the most fun when you
leave the iPad or camera behind and just wander, soaking in everything.
"The world is smaller than it's ever been and it
would be a shame to watch it turn from the same place your entire
life." DJ
I've had my parents go from telling
me that study abroad is impossible to helping me save up for my tuition and
board. I've had friends tell me that I inspire them because I don't go to
typical places and do typical things. It's really wonderful when you have a goal and your support
network is convinced of your goal as well. It was not easy at first. Not at
all. I had my bubble busted so many times. But now, because I've taken steps
toward pursuing my goals of traveling and possibly moving outside of the US, I
have my most important people in my corner. To a first-generation of travelers: do it. Even if it means sacrificing money,
time, etc. Move to another country. Learn another language. Meet new people.
Try crazy food. Dance to new music. Connect with your brothers and sisters
outside. Be a human! The world is smaller than it's ever been and it
would be a shame to watch it turn from the same place your entire life.
"First-generation travelers have to be very
brave." Brianne
I think first-generation travelers have to be very brave.
They need to be true to themselves and focus on making travel a priority, if
it's important to them, regardless of what well-meaning friends and family
members say. They're likely to encounter a lot of negativity -- that
they're taking risks with their finances, careers, relationships, and/or safety
-- so they need to block that out and remember that their own version of
success is likely very different than their parents.
"Part of Who I Am"
When asked if they would continue traveling, the answer was a
resounding yes. For many first generation travelers, like Brianne,
travel is, "part of who I am and who I will (likely) always be."
I'll leave you with DJ's inspiring words:
"I am going to keep traveling. I love it and I see it being a very
important part of my future. I think that I am young and in a time in my
life where I can take the time to travel and explore the world. I think
traveling is a great way to see what it's like to be human and to share
this experience with others. I want to be able to tell my children
stories about my adventures in the future."
These stories have been published to bring more awareness of study
abroad to students who may not have considered it. If you know someone
who isn't planning to study abroad, but should, nominate them. If you're a student who hasn't considered it as an option, think about it again and apply for the generation study abroad scholarship.
