The 3 F's: Barriers to Study Abroad for
Low Income, First-Generation Students
The 3 F's: Barriers to Study
Abroad for Low Income, FirstGeneration 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/pa
rents/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 students
Benjamin 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.com
http://www.studyabroad.com/foru
m/financial_aid.html
Finaid.org
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/exc
hange.phtml
University of Minnesota Learning
Abroad Center External
Scholarships Data Base
http://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 unknown
Fear of inadequacy, not measuring
up
Fear 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 crosscultural 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, FIRSTGENERATION 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
development
Source: “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.”