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What does it feel like to navigate the world of academia as a first-generation and working class graduate student? This week, I had the privilege of exploring this question with Lauren Harvey, a current PhD student at Rice University. With personal experiences and a wealth of insights brimming from her own journey, Lauren doesn't hold back as she delves into the challenges, triumphs, and the unique struggles of her academic life.
This episode is an exploration of the reality of being a first-generation graduate student. Echoing through her stories are the cultural shocks, the unease of feeling out of place, and the struggles associated with financial constraints. But Lauren’s story is not just about the struggles. We also explore the power of journaling, a tool she used effectively for processing and understanding her experiences, and delve into her article titled, "A Guide for First-Generation Working Class Grad Students". The theme of the three Cs - community, consciousness raising, and claiming space - forms the backbone of surviving and thriving in the world of academia.
As we wrap up our engaging conversation, Lauren emphasises the critical importance of support, especially from faculty and staff who can truly understand the unique struggles of first-generation students. She stresses the need for compassion and humanity in academic spaces, and a call for more an empathetic and inclusive approach to students' experiences. If you're a first-generation student or if you're someone supporting them, this episode is a gold mine of experiences, insights and guidance.