Studying abroad will almost certainly be a defining period in your child’s educational experience - a psychological journey that will transform them into a global thinker with international perspectives and put them a step ahead of the competition in the eyes of prospective employers. In spite of this, you - and your child - may have a wide range of feelings about the upcoming experience, from excitement at its potential to stress at the idea of being far apart.
By understanding each other’s feelings and supporting decisions before, during, and after the period of overseas study, you can help maximize this opportunity. Here is some advice on what to expect.
Before your student leaves, offer your full support. Let them know that you will be there throughout the experience if needed, including that you can still be reached from overseas.
Time abroad sometimes begins with a honeymoon period during which students are excited to finally be in the setting that they have dreamed of. After facing realities such as unfamiliar university procedures, unexpected difficulty with the local language, commuting woes, and the absence of usual support groups, culture shock can set in. At the same time, the student is away from on-campus medical, psychological and advisory services they may have come to rely on (a major change in university life since we attended college is the degree to which students rely on these resources). Expect to hear some tales of frustration, though your student will likely be experiencing many wonderful things as well, even if you are not the first to hear about them. In most cases they won't expect you to solve problems - as much as you may want to - and are just looking for an understanding ear.
If studying abroad was your idea to begin with, be sure not to push too hard. Every year, program directors hear complaints from students who didn’t want to come in the first place - and those students experience more difficulty than others adjusting to the new environment. In fact, some never adapt fully to the new setting. Reiterate to your student that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable - they are still learning a lot.
It is by overcoming any difficulties that your child will quickly rise to a new level of independence, so avoid the temptation to become too involved. Ultimately, this is their learning experience.
Also, it’s important to remember that study abroad students are not on vacation. Attending class with them - or taking your student out of class to sightsee - will interrupt the educational process and immersion experience. If you want to visit, it’s best to do so when the program has finished so you can travel together. And it’s not usually wise to try to obtain permission for your student to return home early; the end of the semester is the most important part of his or her academic experience. Being present as the program begins can also interfere with your student’s ability to adapt and relate to other participants on the program.
After living abroad for as long as study abroad students do, they can’t help but be changed by the experience. This can take many forms, from new ways of dressing to cravings for different kinds of food to new political perspectives. Don’t worry too much: negative feelings usually last for a very short time, while a realistic view of ‘home’ and its place in the world remains with most students for life.
Be prepared for them to experience some degree of reverse culture shock - most do, and need some time to fully readjust to living at home again. In some cases, they may even experience a period of depression or longing to return abroad. Once again, your support, interest, and understanding will help your child during this life-altering experience.
Observing and discussing changes like these is an excellent way to share in your child’s international experience, and you will probably want to hear more than most other people, which will be satisfying to your child. Most study abroad participants report years later that the time they spent overseas was the best part of their college year - and that it changed them for life.
Make sure your student understands what policies apply to them while abroad. Encourage your student to ask the Office of Global Education about credit, enrollment status, financial aid, study abroad-related fees and services the school will provide while abroad. Your student should also ask the Office of Global Education for the terms of participation, which covers issues such as course load, changes to academic programs, grade reporting, fees, and refunds.
Students can satisfy the study abroad requirement in one of four ways: through a semester or academic year program, an intensive course abroad (ICA), a non-Goucher short-term program, or an international internship. Read more about these options here.
Check that your child’s passport and any required visas are in order. You should also have a valid passport in case of emergency. Passports should be valid at least six months beyond end of stay.
Before departure, your child should have a general physical and dental exam; female students should also have a gynecological checkup. Make sure they pack a complete medical record and a typed copy of any prescriptions needed. Ask your doctor how best to handle routine prescription medications.
Decide with your child how to access money for both everyday financial needs and emergencies. Certain monetary instruments may be preferable in certain destinations, encourage your student to ask The Office of Global Education for more specific recommendations.
Generally it is important to ask your bank how (or if) its ATM card will function abroad and what extra fees there might be. A personal credit card with cash advances could also make sense. Then, make arrangements to pay any monthly bills and, if necessary, to file your son or daughter’s income taxes.
Budgets sheets for each program, including estimated costs for personal and living expenses, can be found in program brochures on abroad.b67.net.
Please reference our insurance page for a full description of insurance that is offered to our students.
Research travel costs and help book flights unless the student is traveling on a group flight. Learn regulations regarding the type and size of luggage that can be carried; then help your son or daughter pack lightly. Be aware of any restrictions the tickets you purchase may have (such as a change policy). A money belt can help keep valuables safe during the trip.
Make sure you have a telephone number where you can reach your student and know the times of day when he or she is most likely to be there. Minimize the cost of staying in touch by establishing methods in advance. Contact your phone service provider to arrange for a calling card, research internet phone options, or learn the most inexpensive way to call collect or wirelessly from the destination country. You maybe able to select an international plan that has reduced calling rates to that particular country to minimize costs of calling from home. Given the cost of telephoning, it might be better to set up a regular schedule for e-mailing, instant messaging, or Skype instead. Remember to take time difference into account.
Make sure you will be informed if your student runs into difficulty overseas. Since students are almost always adults (over 18 years of age), you will not receive that information unless you are designated as his or her emergency contact. In some cases, even that is not sufficient, so you may want to have him or her sign a release form as a precaution. Discuss how you will handle any family emergencies that may arise. It’s best to have a written emergency communication plan listing the methods of communication to use and the order in which to use them. Give your student a copy of the plan, which should include: all family telephone numbers; access codes for messages on family answering machines; phone numbers for several out-of-state relatives; and several e-mail addresses, including a backup address at an overseas provider such as Yahoo! Australia.
Gather all of the information you and your student might need while he or she is away, including:
Contact information for:
If you want to help your student prepare, make plans to take care of the following necessities together:
You may have to help handle some things for your son or daughter while he or she is abroad, such as:
Remember to remind your student to share as much information with you as possible throughout the process.
Students participating in Goucher programs are required to register with the U.S. State Department Smart Traveller Enrollment Program.
Research travel advisories for specific countries through the U.S. State Department.