First to Go Abroad Program Provides Enriching Global Experiences

The First to Go program provides a support system that enriches the experiences of first-generation college students on campus. For mathematics major Xion Nelson ‘25, the program has deeply enriched her college experience, providing her with chances to study abroad and making her more well-rounded intellectually and professionally. 

Since Nelson’s last year and a half of high school was virtual, when she arrived at LMU, she was searching for a community that fosters social, professional, and collegiate development. She found that at First to Go, where she connected with other first-generation students and felt a profound sense of belonging. As Nelson progressed through her college years, she took on the role of First to Go senior operations manager, handling administrative tasks and contributing to event planning for First to Go. Nelson’s journey with First to Go allowed her to participate in a study abroad trip to Bonn, Germany. This experience motivated her to craft a more intuitive experience for future study abroad programs.

“I had my taste of how it is to be a student on a trip like this and thought of things I would prefer on the next trip, or really would like to see,” said Nelson. “That’s where my head started with the trip. I want to be a part of the planning because I feel like a student voice is super important.” 

As she thought about her next trip with First to Go in Costa Rica, Nelson considered how she might improve the First to Go Abroad experience. 

“I thought about what students would want to listen to. Obviously, we’re always in lectures and classes. But what about this experience can be different from sitting in front of a board and talking to us all day,” said Nelson. “I wanted to be engaged. I wanted to have students feel like they were really in that moment with the people they were learning from, which we got a lot in Costa Rica.” 

Nelson and her peers were able to engage deeply with their surroundings. They met with Afro-Costa Rican communities in Limon, where they learned about the heritage and history of the region. The group also had the privilege of connecting with Indigenous communities and gaining a new perspective on their relationship with the land and the importance of environmental stewardship. For Nelson, the trip was not just a chance to explore a new country; it was a profound and eye-opening experience. Immersing herself in different cultures and histories, especially as a black person, allowed her to connect with her heritage and gain a deeper understanding of the world around her. The trip also provided a space for meaningful discussions, empowering students to share their stories and forge connections that transcended cultural boundaries. 

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“We heard about how enslavement stopped, how black people continued to advocate for themselves in Costa Rica so I enjoyed that experience, as a black woman myself,” said Nelson. 

Reflecting on the trip’s impact, Nelson realized the significance of such opportunities to first-generation students. Like many of her First to Go peers, she had never traveled abroad or experienced such rich cultural exchanges. The trip wasn’t just a journey of exploration, but a chance for personal growth and empowerment. Her experience working with First to Go also allowed her to cultivate a passion for creating a supportive and engaging environment for fellow students.

“Seeing the growth of my students is something I don’t know if I could get anywhere else. I enjoy seeing people grow, seeing people live out their dreams and the things they want to do, because you simply supported them, and were there for them,” said Nelson. 

Returning home from Costa Rica, she carried with her a newfound sense of purpose and a profound appreciation for the value of travel and cultural immersion. She knew that the experience had enriched her life in ways she could never have imagined, and she was determined to pay it forward by supporting other first-generation students on their path to personal and academic success. Nelson’s journey with First to Go has deeply shaped her college experience and ignited a passion for advocacy and mentorship.