Undergraduate Study Abroad

First Generation Students

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First Generation Students

As a first generation student*, you may be the first person in your family to be presented with the opportunity to study abroad. Speak with a study abroad advisor about your plans for study abroad and any questions you have.

* "While the term first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college education, at Brown we encourage students to think of the term more broadly. Any student who self-identifies as having minimal prior exposure to or knowledge of experiences like those at Brown may be considered a first-generation college student..." — Brown Undocumented, First-Generation College and Low-Income Student Center (U-FLi Center)

Things to Consider:

There are study abroad programs for different lengths of time—semester, full academic year, and summer term. Short-term international options also are offered through the University's Wintersession offerings, and the BE³ Brown experiential learning programs offer combined summer/fall term opportunities.

There are programs that will help fulfill concentration requirements so you can still graduate at your scheduled time.

If you receive financial aid, contact the Office of Financial Aid to learn about how your Brown financial aid will apply to study abroad, review costs and budgeting, and discuss any other scholarship opportunities that you might want to pursue. And be sure to read through Brown University Office of Financial Aid Study Away FAQs. You may also want to look into the IIE Gilman Scholarship, which offers 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 to students eligible for Federal Pell Grants and seeks to support underrepresented students who study abroad.

Other on-campus offices have resources and advising for students who are interested in pursuing international opportunities while at Brown, including the Brown Fellowship Office, Brown CareerLAB, and International UTRA (summer only)

Resources

Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income Student Center (U-FLi Center), 5th floor of the Sciences Library. The U-FLi Center provides a communal, learning, and advocacy center for members of the Brown community who identify with the undocumented, first-generation college and/or low-income student experience and helps improve knowledge of and access to resources.
Ufunds: UFunds coordinates applications for funding from offices at Brown. For Brown students studying abroad, it can be a resource in case unexpected costs (ex. vaccines that are not covered by insurance but are needed for a program, a broken computer etc.) come up while abroad.
All Abroad: A great resource for funding advice, outreach materials, and study abroad advice specifically written with underrepresented students in mind.
Diversity Abroad: This website provides tips for first generation students on how to best prepare for studying abroad; includes advice, scholarship information, and student testimonials, including this article on First Generation Students Traveling Abroad.
Ask a First Generation Student: Diversity and Study Abroad, Knowledge without Borders
Interviews With First Generation College Students Abroad, IFSA Study Abroad

Undergraduate Study Abroad

First Generation Students

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First Generation Students

Things to Consider:

Resources

Additional Topics

International Students

LGBTQ+ Students

Gender Identity Abroad

First Generation Students