The experiences of Australian First in Family university students and graduates: an intergenerational and intersectional exploration

<div><div><p>Krystal Campbell, The experiences of Australian First in Family university students and graduates: an intergenerational and intersectional exploration</p></div><div><p>Winner – University of Technology Sydney VYT local competition (2021) </p></div><div><p> </p></div><div><p>Transcript: </p></div><div><p> </p></div><div><p>This is a university, and it can be an overwhelming place for students who are the first in their families to attend. These students tend to struggle more than others and, as this group is incredibly diverse, their experiences and challenges vary. </p><div><p>Whether it’s moving a long distance away from their family and support; needing to work, sometimes multiple jobs to support themselves; financial hardship; mature-age status; or juggling studying with parenting and caring responsibilities; these challenges leave First in Family students struggling to succeed and thrive. </p></div>So how do we help a group with needs this diverse? By interviewing First in Family students from all backgrounds, my research aims to both explore these unique challenges and offer recommendations for university teaching and support units, which would benefit not only the first in family students but the entire higher educational sector.</div></div><br>