Student Resource Guide - First Gen, First Abroad
Student Resource Guide - First Generation College, First Abroad
Keep In Mind that the pressures of figuring out and applying for a GO Program can seem equivalent to the pressures of being the first in your family to attend college. However, participating in a GO program is meant to enhance your Susquehanna experience. Start to think about how this scheduled time off-campus in a supportive learning environment will contribute to your skills and experiences- things that come in handy after graduation when you are looking for a job!
Your experiences in GO will be most rewarding when you select GO programs which most closely align with your personal, professional, and academic goals. While traveling and studying off campus is exciting, the preparation process will take time and energy and can be stressful, especially for first generation students. We recommend you call upon and lean on the resources available to you at Susquehanna, such as the GO office. We offer advising sessions.
In addition to coming into the GO office for individualized advising, we also suggest you connect with SU peers who have completed their GO program. Students who have been to locations you are considering are great references – be sure to ask a lot of questions. Check out blogs created by SU students during their GO Long programs around the world to learn more about some of your program and location options!
Questions to ask yourself:
Keep In Mind that the pressures of figuring out and applying for a GO Program can seem equivalent to the pressures of being the first in your family to attend college. However, participating in a GO program is meant to enhance your Susquehanna experience. Start to think about how this scheduled time off-campus in a supportive learning environment will contribute to your skills and experiences- things that come in handy after graduation when you are looking for a job!
Your experiences in GO will be most rewarding when you select GO programs which most closely align with your personal, professional, and academic goals. While traveling and studying off campus is exciting, the preparation process will take time and energy and can be stressful, especially for first generation students. We recommend you call upon and lean on the resources available to you at Susquehanna, such as the GO office. We offer advising sessions.
In addition to coming into the GO office for individualized advising, we also suggest you connect with SU peers who have completed their GO program. Students who have been to locations you are considering are great references – be sure to ask a lot of questions. Check out blogs created by SU students during their GO Long programs around the world to learn more about some of your program and location options!
Questions to ask yourself:
- What skills do you already have that you will be able to use in preparation for and during your GO?
- What are your goals for your GO experience?
- Do you want to take classes, volunteer, get an internship, or have an experiential learning type of program?
- What time of year works best for you to complete GO while balancing other commitments?
- Do you prefer to travel with a group of SU students, or on your own?
- How will you know if you are on the right track in the planning process?
- How will you explain the benefits of study away to your family?
- Have you started to plan for GO expenses?
- Do you have a passport? (if not - ask GO about Passport Caravan!)
- What are your top questions that you and your supporters have? (bring these to an advising session!)