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Starting college as a first-generation college student can be difficult, and going abroad brings its own set of challenges.

When I first started my college journey, I was very overwhelmed with the unfamiliarity I was surrounded by. College is something I always saw as a large goal and achievement, as it is not something that had previously been accessible in my family. Coming from a Hispanic family, I often felt out of place on campus, and I was unsure how to navigate important aspects like financial aid, utilizing resources, and building connections on campus. Luckily, the friendships I made helped me feel more involved on campus and gave me the chance to build a home away from home.

Now having studied abroad, I really do have a home away from home across the globe– the bustling city streets, riverside views, and hidden gem cafes of London are forever a part of my journey and hold a place in my heart. Visiting London has been a dream of mine since childhood, and I am so grateful I was able not only to visit but to live out a semester in this city and learn so much in the process. As a writer, I’ve always looked forward to being able to travel and learn more about people, cultures, and the world, as I want to contribute to diversity in the arts throughout my career. Visiting London and traveling to other cities in Europe was a great start to this goal.

However, this experience was by no means smooth sailing and being a first-generation college student added to my pre-departure stress. Traveling abroad always seemed unrealistic or inaccessible to me and I knew close to nothing about studying internationally. One thing that found so helpful was how the Arcadia in London program was beginner friendly and helped me through every single step of the process. From visas to paperwork, I made sure to utilize the resources the program provided, and that helped so much pre-departure. During my time abroad, I definitely gathered a plethora of personal horror stories of mistakes I made along the way– getting pickpocketed, losing phone service, getting lost on trains– but all
of it taught me so much and allowed me to grow my confidence. After these difficult situations, I developed a newfound sense of independence.

While studying abroad is something I’ve always had my heart set on, I was always unsure if it would be doable as a first-generation college student. Financially, many programs were too expensive for me, and scholarships are hard to secure. Arcadia in London provided an affordable, quality opportunity for me to make my dreams of living in London a reality. After learning how to navigate college as a whole, I wondered if moving to a whole new country was something I felt ready for. Ultimately, I decided to take the leap, and with the support of my college campus, program coordinators, and friends back home, I found it a rewarding experience that completely changed my college journey for the better. To other first-generation students who are worried about the reality of going abroad, I would highly recommend reaching out to program advisors to learn and get answers to all your questions. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and there is a place for you waiting in your dream city.