The 3 F's: Barriers to Study Abroad forThe 3 F's: Barriers to Study Abroad forLow Income, First-Generation StudentsLow Income, First-Generation Students

The 3 F's: Barriers to Study Abroad for Low Income, First-

Generation Students(with credit to Margery Ganz,

Spelman College, who originated The 4 F’s)

The 3 F's: Family

Finances Fear

FAMILY AS A BARRIER TO STUDY ABROAD

• Lack of information about benefits, logistics, relationship to academic program• Safety concerns• Foregone income• Child care (for parents)

STRATEGIES FOR WORKING WITH FAMILIES

• Involve families in scheduled workshops and pre-departure seminars/mailings, as well as listservs• Make available printed materials developed for families for those who are unable to attend campus presentations

POINTS TO EMPHASIZE WITH PARENTS

• Study abroad is affordable and aid is available• There are academic benefits to study abroad• There are professional benefits—students are more competitive in the marketplace

• International experiences provide personal benefits as well• Single parents do find ways to participate in study abroad!

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES

Study Abroad: A Parent’s Guide. William Hoffa, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 1998. Available from NAFSA Publications, 800.836.4994.

Dickinson College Guide for Parents [to Study Abroad], http://www.dickinson.edu/parents/guide/abroad.html

“Go Abroad, Save the Excuses,” Black Issues in Higher Education (2001).

Diversity Issues Abroad, Brown University. http://www.brown.edu/Administration/OIP/pdf_docs/diversity_st_abroad01.pdf

. A collection of quotes from Brown University students who have studied abroad about their international experiences.

Diversity of Experience: Voices of Abroad Participants, University of Pennsylvania. A compilation of student comments from Penn's programs around the world

“Study Abroad: A Lifetime of Benefits,” Amy Ruhter McMillan and Gayly Opem, Abroad View, IES, March 2004. (PDF Version)

Surviving Re-entry: A handbook for parents of study abroad students returning home. School for International Training. http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/parents/reentry.html

FINANCING STUDY ABROAD: ATTITUDES AND

ASSUMPTIONS

• Study abroad isn’t affordable.• I’m already using the maximum amount of financial aid.• Study abroad will cost me lost wages that my family and I are counting on.• Study abroad will delay my graduation.

FINANCING STUDY ABROAD: IS IT AFFORDABLE?

Yes. Here are things to keep in mind that affect your ability to afford a study abroad experience:• Type of program and duration• Planning and preparation for the study abroad experience• Knowledge of available resources

FINANCING STUDY ABROAD: CHOOSING A

PROGRAM

Cost of a study abroad program will vary with the type and duration of the program. Some questions to consider:• Sponsored Programs• Exchange Programs• Unaffiliated Programs• Short-term v. Semester/Year

FINANCING STUDY ABROAD: WHAT WILL IT

COST?

At most institutions, students will work with your study abroad office and/or your financial aid office to develop a study abroad BUDGET of total costs:• Program Fee*• Transportation to the Departure Site• Accommodations, If Not Included

• Airfare, If Not Included• Onsite Transportation, If Not Included• Passport and/or Visa Fees• Immunizations• Extra Meals, Snacks and • Beverages Not Included

• Housing Costs Not Included• Tuition and Fees• Field Trips, If Not Included• Books and Other Educational Supplies

FINANCING STUDY ABROAD: USING FEDERAL

FINANCIAL AID

• Develop a cost worksheet• If not already on file, file a FAFSA for the study abroad period, making sure it is the appropriate period of attendance (e.g., is summer study attached to the spring semester or fall semester?)

• Make sure you are maintaining the enrollment level required for each aid program on your award letter.• Make sure you are aware of whether financial aid for the study abroad period will affect your next semester’s aid.

• Develop a plan for meeting program payment deadlines that arrive before financial aid is disbursed.

FINANCING STUDY ABROAD: OTHER

RESOURCES

Institutional scholarships• Office of Study Abroad or International Studies• Office of Student Affairs/Multicultural Students• Individual departments/academic centers• College/university foundation

Community resources• Community foundations• Civic organizations• Religious organizations• Principal local/regional employers

Scholarships for underrepresented studentsBenjamin Gilman International Scholarship Program, http://www.iie.org/gilman

Freeman-Asia Scholarship Program http://www.iie.org/pgms/freeman-asia

Robert B. Bailey Scholarships www.ciee.org/study/scholarships.aspx

FINANCING STUDY ABROAD: OTHER

RESOURCES

Studyabroad.comhttp://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html

Finaid.orghttp://www.finaid.org/otheraid/exchange.phtml

University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center External Scholarships Data Basehttp://160.94.154.31/LAC/sch/FMPro?-DB=ISTC_Scholarships.fp5&-Lay=WebForm&-Format=sch_entersearch.html&-Find

THE FEAR FACTOR: BARRIERS TO STUDY

ABROAD

“I’ve never even been out of my state. How can I think about going out of the country?”

“I’ve never been on a plane. I think I’d be afraid to fly.”

“Study abroad is for other people, you know. It’s too exotic for me.”

“I won’t fit in.”

“I don’t want to leave my friends.”

“How do I know I’ll be safe? Especially after 9/11.”

“What if I get sick?”

THE FEAR FACTOR: BARRIERS TO STUDY

ABROAD

The previous statements reflect

different kinds of FEAR:Fear of the unknownFear of inadequacy, not measuring upFear for personal safety

Responses to those fears:• Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Stepping into the unknown involves some risk but also extraordinary benefit.

• Low-income, first-generation students already know how to navigate culture shock and cross-cultural transitions! They are ahead of the game.

• Careful selection of a study abroad program, as well as adherence to all program rules and regulations while abroad, can minimize personal hazards.

ERASING THE THREE F’s: WHY LOW INCOME, FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

MUST GO ABROAD

Students not only can but should because:• Global competency gives individuals, as well as nations, an economic edge in our competitive marketplace

• International exchanges boost cultural awareness for all parties and enhance our security • Study, travel and work abroad has a transformational effect on those who participate

Study abroad has been shown to have a long-term impact on:

• Academic attainment• Choice of majors/fields• Career development• Personal and intercultural developmentSource: “Study Abroad: A Lifetime of Benefits,” Amy Ruhter McMillan and Gayly Opem, Abroad View, IES, March 2004.

ERASING THE THREE F’s: WHAT ADVISERS CAN DO

FOR TRIO/EO ADVISERS•Mention study abroad early and often! Incorporate mention of study abroad in intake and other materials. Get flyers and posters from your study abroad office and make sure they are circulated.

• Don’t feel you have to be an expert. Work with study abroad/international ed/multicultural ed to cosponsor study abroad fairs/workshops. Refer students to these offices or to individual faculty members.

• Encourage students to start planning EARLY if they intend to study abroad—both to ready the resources and to ensure it is integrated into their academic program.

Once students return, make sure they speak to others in your program to share their experiences. Students are the most credible advocates for study

abroad! “If I can do it, so can you.”