First Gen Abroad is a life-changing experience that lets you grow and learn in ways not possible in a standard classroom. The program combines unique educational opportunities with service, travel, and fun – all in a supportive environment with WSU staff and fellow Cougs. 

Overview

First Gen Abroad students spend five weeks in their host country. While there, you’ll: 

  • Attend classes. Earn 6 credits over the course of 1 month. 
  • See famous sites. Visit major historical sites, landmarks, museums, and more.  
  • Go on guided excursions. Take a trip with your cohort to a nearby town or region to experience more of what your host country has to offer. 
  • Volunteer. Participate in a volunteer project that helps you learn about issues in your host community. 
  • Enjoy free time to explore on your own. You'll have plenty of time to explore and experience your host city and country. 

You can see a detailed itinerary from a previous trip on the Travel Itinerary page.

To help you prepare for your study abroad experience and make the most of it while you’re in country, you’ll attend: 

  • Pre-departure cohort meetings where you learn what to expect in country, set goals for the program, meet other travelers, and build relationships with staff and fellow Cougs 
  • In-country cohort meetings that help you connect you with meaningful cultural opportunities 
  • In-country volunteer projects that let you learn more about local issues 

To get a firsthand look at the First Gen Abroad experience, watch this video from a First Gen Abroad alum to learn about her time in Seville, Spain, in 2019.

Supporting Your Experience

 Every step of your study abroad experience is supported by program advisors who can help you: 

  • Apply to First Gen Abroad  
  • Find scholarships and understand available financial aid options 
  • Organize fundraising opportunities 
  • Order a passport and important travel documents 
  • Arrange group flight reservations at a discounted rate 
  • Host socials and workshops so that you feel prepared for all the advantages study abroad has to offer 

In addition, staff advisors travel with your cohort and remain on site for the duration of the program to make sure you have the support you need while you’re in your host country.   

Advisors will also facilitate leadership and professional development activities to help you return home with a strong understanding of how to transfer your new global competency skills to campus organizations, internship programs, scholarship applications, and potential employers! As an alum of First Gen Abroad, you’ll have the opportunity to serve as a campus ambassador to help educate other first-generation college students about the benefits of study abroad.

 

Courses

First Gen Abroad students will enroll in two 3-credit courses taught at the CEA study center by local faculty. All classes are taught in English.

Taking a total of six credits will allow you to qualify for summer financial aid and scholarships. First Gen Abroad advisors do their best to ensure all classes will transfer back to WSU as UCORE credits; classes that don't will transfer back as electives (as a reminder, all majors have room for electives). All students need a minimum of 120 credits to earn a degree from WSU. 

COM 340: Communication & Global Competence

With the rise of global mobility and communication, encountering people from a variety of cultures, and the need for effective communication, is commonplace. This course explores the interaction between culture and communication and introduces you to the knowledge and skills necessary to attain global competence.

This class fulfills WSU DIVR UCORE (upper-division elective).

CUL 340: Food & Culture in Spain

This course introduces Spanish gastronomy while focusing on the complex value codes and beliefs related to Spanish local products and their consumption.

This class fulfills WSU HUM UCORE or HBM 496 (upper-division elective).