Episode 38: First Gens Far From Home

Mar 13

Written By HTC

In this episode, Dan chats with three first gens about their experiences attending college far from home.

In this episode you will hear from:

Matthew, who is from Wyoming and currently a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. He talks about what it was first like to move to campus and how he saved money in the process by using university resources & discounts.
Roxxi, who is from Texas and graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont. Roxxi shares her experiences learning a new way of seeing the world and how she navigated interactions with family and friends back home.
Neche, who is from Wisconsin and a graduate from Yale University. Neche shares her experience with not only leaving home for college, but also deciding to move to a new town after graduation, paving her own path.

Throughout these stories, we'll hear some of the nuances that come with attending colleges far from home, unique factors you should consider, and if leaving your hometown for college and beyond might be right for you.

Key takeaways:

Home is what you make it.
Navigating family dynamics is different for everyone, so it's important to set boundaries that work for you. Our family relationships will evolve over time and that is okay.
Your career path may influence your ability to return to your hometown for internships and job opportunities.

Lessons Learned:

If you’re a high school student considering a college far from home
- If you are thinking about it, go for it! Don’t doubt yourself. You’ll never know if you’ll have this chance if you don’t take the shot & apply to a school far from home. A lot of great private liberal arts colleges offer the funding to support you.
- Look into what kinds of summer bridge programs your college offers; programs like the Penn Pre-Freshman Program are a great way to get acclimated to college life before the hustle and bustle of the semester
- Some universities offer special deals with airlines & shipping companies to offer discounts on flights and sending packages to campus
- Connect with your Financial Aid office as well as any Cultural Resource Centers in case there are sources of funding available to help you cover the costs of arriving to campus
- Be sure to pay attention to the weather where you are going; if you’ve never been to a Northern state, you’re going to need a coat. Ross Dress for Less & Burlington are very affordable options!
- Try to create a pros & cons list when determining which travel method seems to make the most sense for you. There are advantages to driving but there are also advantages to flying or taking a train. See what works best for you based on your time, money, and luggage needs.
If you’re currently a college student attending a school far from home:
- Navigating the changing dynamics of family and friends can be tough, but you’re not alone. It’s okay to ask for help and to seek mental health counseling through your university if that is an option. There are also free hotlines and counseling services available online.
- Considering where you want to live after college graduation will depend somewhat on what your career path is. Are there opportunities in your hometown? If not, that is something to consider in your career development and job search.