Finding a Home

First Generation College Students and the Struggle to find a home literally and figuratively at American University

(Cindy Luo | Daily Trojan)

Despite moves to support first generation college students such as the national celebration week that happened last month, first gen students are faced with mountains of barriers that they are struggling to break through; one of their barriers at American University is finding a home – literally and figuratively.

At American University (AU) it is difficult for the average student to acquire housing because AU does not guarantee housing after sophomore year, and the D.C. area is expensive to live in. For first gen students it is more difficult and another barrier to face.

First gen students have a lower income rate than non-first gen students in general. This added layer in their identity exacerbates the challenge of finding a home in an affluent area of the city AU is in. Given the income status of families, it is likely that the family will not be able to physically be present to assist because they will not have funds to travel, or time to take off from work. This means first gen students must find a home all by themselves. These students have to mature quickly and learn about housing. There is no one to lend a hand in signing leases, understanding credit. There is no guidance for touring apartments and houses.

Secretary of the first Generation Student Union (FGSU) Junior Diana Hernandez who studies Justice and Law, explained her frustrations with finding housing and finances. “Being financially struggling is a big part of it. Especially having my family being across the country. A lot of stuff is up to us to figure out which makes it hard. Figuring out, what the fuck a lease is and stuff.”

For some first gen students at AU they turn to on-campus housing to alleviate those stressors, such as the president of the First Gen Student Union, senior Veronica Pacheco, who studies International Relations did. “Being first gen when it comes to the financial aspect was the main reason I decided to stay on campus.”

Pacheco recognized that while both on-campus and off-campus housing is expensive, there are benefits to living on campus financially, such as paying upfront, and other benefits such as proximity to everyday activities. While advantageous in some regards, on campus housing however is very limited for upperclassmen students and not guaranteed.

Living on-campus however is not really that economical. For the Frequency Apartments which is the only school housing that is not on campus, equates to 3,000 a month for a small studio with in-unit laundry. The Berkshire, which

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is a common apartment complex where students live in is significantly cheaper, with a one bedroom unit including utilities coming at around 2,000 a month. So the real only financial advantage with living though the school is the possibility to not worry about paying rent and utilities on a monthly basis.

College is a brand new frontier to first gen students. Limited funds, limited knowledge of the area, limited support to be able to understand the housing process, if any support at all – first gen students are doing the college journey all by themselves, in a way that most non first gen students cannot relate to. In addition to simply securing a roof over their heads, first gen students must confront the heavy psychological load of being a first generation student, which can make it difficult for them to feel like they belong at the university. There is an element of loneliness that first gen students have to face.

Understanding the loneliness Pancheao describes her story. “As a freshman I was struggling to find a sense of belonging, community. I did feel alone at first, are there people I can connect with and share similar identities to? But I think I’ve been able to find a sense of home.” She described the importance of finding spaces where she can share support and resources as being “really crucial for me to succeed at AU and to keep going.”

Hernandez, still a junior, is working on making AU a home. “Eh it's getting there, not sure if it's fully there but getting there.”

She elaborated and said, “I honestly feel like a big part of it is –” she took a big breath and sighed, “the first gen thing plays a big part of it, a really big aspect of my day today is being like damn I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing and I know everyone says that they feel that way, and to a certain extent I think it's true, but I really don’t think that people with parents who went to college and stuff feel to the same extent as lost and disoriented like kids like you and I.”

Danille Koon, Assistant Director of Education & Support Programs for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, acknowledges the struggles of being a first Generation college student and housing both as a first gen student herself, and in her role through the school. “Being first gen is more than just being the first to go to college,” she said. “You’re paving the whole way yourself – and that means everything including finding a place to live.”

She explains that when it comes to on campus housing there is a priority for those students that qualify for emergency housing, which can be a first gen student. She acknowledges, however, that the school could be more hands-on when it comes to helping students find off campus housing such as hosting workshops.

She believes that they are working hard to try to program what the kids need. She said, “I would hope that our office is helping these students feel supported in helping them find their community here.”