Family Guide

Studying abroad will almost certainly be a defining period in your son or daughter’s educational experience—a psychological journey that will transform him or her into a global thinker with international perspectives and put him or her a step ahead of the competition in the eyes of prospective employers. In spite of this, you—and your son or daughter—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 him or her know that you will be there throughout the experience if needed, including that you can still be reached from overseas.

Time abroad often 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 he or she won’t expect you to solve problems—as much as you may want to—and is 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 do.

It is by overcoming any difficulties that your son or daughter will quickly rise to a new level of independence, so avoid the temptation to become too involved. Ultimately, this is his or her learning experience.

Also, it’s important to remember that study abroad students are not on vacation. Attending class with him or her—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.

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 America and its place in the world remains with most students for life.

Be prepared for him or her 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, he or she may even experience a period of depression or longing to return abroad. Once again, your support, interest, and understanding will help your son or daughter during this life-altering experience. Observing and discussing changes like these is an excellent way to share in your son or daughter’s international experience, and you will probably want to hear more than most other people, which will be satisfying to your son or daughter. Most study abroad participants report years later that the time they spent overseas was the best part of their college years—and that it changed them for life.

It’s a delicate balance: making sure your son or daughter is prepared for his or her time abroad, and letting him or her take the lead at the beginning of this new experience. Here is a list of things that should be resolved before departure, and our suggestions for ways to do so:

• Travel Documents: Check that your son or daughter’s passport and any required visas are in order. You should also have a valid passport in case of emergency.
• Health: Before departure, your son or daughter should have a general physical and dental exam; women should also have a gynecological checkup. Make sure he or she packs a complete medical record and a typed copy of any vision prescriptions needed. Ask the doctor how best to handle routine prescription medications.
• Finances: Decide with your son or daughter how to access money for both everyday financial needs and emergencies. Certain monetary instruments may be preferable in certain destinations, so ask your program provider for more specific recommendations. Generally, it’s 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 or traveler’s checks could also make sense.
• Insurance : Your child will be covered either through our mandatory insurance plan or through one arranged by their program’s provider. Insure valuables your son or daughter will take on the trip, such as a laptop computer, camera, or video recorder. Also consider tuition, trip, travel, and luggage insurance. Advise him or her not to bring irreplaceable objects such as family jewelry.
• Travel Planning : Research travel costs and help book flights. 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.
• Emergencies : Make sure you can be notified 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.