Florida State University is increasing its support for first-generation college students who want to study abroad. The university has announced new resources and targeted programs, aligning these efforts with its annual Celebration of International Education and participation in the national First-Generation College Celebration from November 5 to 12.
A key part of this initiative is the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement’s (CARE) new Global Learning Community, which will begin in Summer 2026. This cohort-based program, led by instructional specialist Emily Leyava, will send ten CARE students to South Africa for eight weeks. Participants will engage in internships, Zulu language classes, and cultural immersion activities. The program aims to address financial and informational barriers that often prevent first-generation students from studying abroad.
“We will be working with financial aid to see what opportunities are available to our students, including experiential learning grants and private donations,” said Leyava, who will lead the group as faculty leader. “We don’t want cost to be prohibitive.”
The initiative includes a preparatory spring course focused on global citizenship and international higher education before the summer experience begins. Students will be matched with internships in fields such as public health, community development, and education. Weekly debriefs, reflective journaling, and excursions around Durban are also planned.
“We want our students graduating, going into the job market, going to grad school, whatever they want to do,” Leyava said. “We want to offer them every opportunity possible.”
The Global Learning Community is supported by FSU International Programs. This office manages three study centers in London, Valencia, and Florence; a regional branch campus in Panama; and faculty-led programs in countries including Croatia, Costa Rica, France, Switzerland, among others.
Interim Director of International Programs Louisa Blenman stated: “We understand the importance of providing intentional and creative ways to support first-gen students who wish to have an international experience. We are so pleased that our first partnership with CARE helps us diversify the locations offered by International Programs. Further, this partnership is a vivid demonstration of a transformative program coming to fruition through collaborations among several divisions of the university.”
Financial assistance options include scholarships such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the Tyler Center for Global Studies Fellowship as well as funding from FSU International Programs scholarships.
Yasmeen Masanti, a senior dance student at FSU who participated in the Dance in Paris summer program thanks in part to a Gilman Scholarship, described her experience: “Having the opportunity to dance in Paris and seeing the French culture was a completely different experience than I’ve ever had.” She added: “I went to the Eiffel Tower quite a lot because as a kid I always dreamed about seeing the Eiffel Tower. It was just so magical.” Masanti credited CARE’s Summer Bridge Program for helping her adjust to college life: “I don’t know if I would have still been at FSU if I hadn’t been in the CARE program.”
Tafari D’Aguilar studied mechanical engineering at John Cabot University in Rome through FSU’s Global Exchange Programs with partial funding from a Gilman Scholarship. He reflected on his journey: “Before FSU, I didn’t know what studying abroad meant. I couldn’t imagine affording it.” D’Aguilar said he quickly adapted after arriving: “We walked cobblestone roads, ate local food and traveled… We visited the Pantheon, Vatican City and Milan. One highlight: I canoed in a volcanic crater. It was incredible.” He concluded: “Before, I feared traveling alone but now I know I can handle it. Once you know you can handle it there’s no stopping you.”
FSU’s Celebration of International Education continues through December 5.
More information about resources for first-generation students at Florida State University can be found at firstgen.fsu.edu.
