Low Income + First Generation Students

How long do you want to be abroad/away?  How will your study abroad/away experience fit into your four-year plan?

Each country has its own “cost of living”.  Some countries may be more or less expensive than others in terms of housing, food, activities, etc.  Some programs offered by St. Olaf are less expensive than the cost of staying on campus for the semester or year.

Questions to consider asking yourself or others:

• How will I finance my time abroad?

• Your financial aid package (including scholarships and grants – with the possible exception of work study) will be applied to your study abroad/away program.  There are many scholarship opportunities available through St. Olaf and other organizations.

Sometimes families and support people do not understand the reasons students want to travel or study abroad/away. These same individuals are often concerned with students’ safety, the cost of studying abroad/away, etc., which can make the experience difficult to pursue for many reasons.  The Smith Center can assist students in navigating these conversations and/or talking with concerned family/support people.  Find support!  Traveling or studying abroad/away is an exciting and sometimes challenging time, especially if you are the first in your family to do it.  Be sure to find people on and off campus who support your decision.  Talk with other students about their experience abroad/away.

Questions to consider asking yourself or others:

• Since I am the first in my family to study abroad, who will help me plan my study abroad experience?
• How will I talk about the possibility of studying abroad with my family? How can I explain the benefits of studying abroad to them?
• What tips, insights and advice do your family/friends/others have for you?
• How will the distance (location and time) from my family impact my education abroad experience?
• Would I feel more comfortable being somewhere close or somewhere farther away?
• How about the local culture? Would I be comfortable in a culture completely different from what I am used to for an extended period of time?
• Think about the length: Will I be comfortable being away for a whole semester or academic year? Would a short-term program be a better fit?
• How will you stay in contact with family and friends while abroad/away?

Do your research!  The more you know about your academic program and the host community, the more you can prepare and share with your support networks.  See studying abroad/away as an opportunity to expand your understanding of the world, enhance your resume and employment application materials, and gain new experiences that will inform your future academic coursework and career.