l-op 10 study abroad tips for parents/guardians

So 1'6ut" child has decided to study abroad, and there is so much to know. Studyingabroad poses many questions for students, but quite a ferv for parents as well.

IJete are a few tips to get you tlrrough this exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, time.

Educate Yoursclf: Chances are you rvill feel more secure aboul your child studyingabroad if you do the r"ight research.

. Research the destination countr1,, including its history. culture, customs, laws,social/rnoral codes, dress and language-

. Along u'itir your student, learn a feu,of the local u'ords and phrases.

. Read ail program literature and any avaiiable student accounts of studying abroad.

. Nevet l-resitate to ask questions of youi- sludent, the advisor or even a programadniinistrator.

Lctling Go: Sending your chiid to study abroad involves a cerlain an.rount of letting goon your part. It can be difficult to do, bu1 to ease r'1, )/ou should begin the process weilbelore departure.

. Ailorv your student to make the mosl of the stud)/ abroad decisions - be a guide,nol a supervisor.

. Give your sludent the information and resources he or she needs to makeinfor-rrrcd decisions.

. Don'1 expect 1o hear liom your sludenl e\/er)/ dalr raillil. he or she is abroad, anddon't make your student feel bad for lhat-

. Taik rvith parents whose children havc previousll, studied abroad and try toltrepare for the emotions they say tlte1, e'pcl-ienced-

Pacl<ing: I'Jelp 1,6ur studenl with rdtat 1o bring u,i1lr lrirn or hcr overseas. Pack light, butaiso rvisell,-

. Pack a ferv extra photos of your studenl in casc hc or she needs to get a newpass]lort.

. Ilave ),our sludent rvalk around u,i1h packcd bags 1o nrake sure he or she will beable to handle it oiice he or she leavcs llie housc. \'oLrr child nral, bs luggii-rg thatsuilcase around lbr quite a u4iiie duriitg. iris or-he r'lrarzcls.

. l1'1,our sludent rvears glasses, gel hirn or hcr-iur c\1r-il pair-or- luro to take rvith.pailicuiaril, if they are pr-cscri;tlion lcnscs-

. If your sludent is taking any prescription rledications, be sure to send him or heroverseas rvilh an extra supply and a copy of the prescription. Try 1o obAin a noteiion the doctor regarding your child's need lor the rr-redication, in case of anyissues during the custonls process_

Communica{ion: Keeping in louch with your studenl u'hile he or she is studyingo\/erseas is irlpoflant for both of you.

Establish a plan of communication with your student prior to deparlurc. It isirnpoilant to realize that this plan rnay need to be altered once your child hasseltled into a study abroad routine_Blogs are an inexpensive way in which to keep in 1ouch. Encourage your child tostafl a blog u,hiie away so that you (and any other family members or fi-iends) canfbllow along rvith the adventures. You rlay consider starling )/our own blog tokeep 1,6u1student curent on what is going on back home.Your child's cell pitone rvill only u'orJc overseas if 1'su have T-Mobile, AT&T orAlltel, and only if you conlact the service provider and get them to open up thephone for intemational roaming, u,hich also r"neans you'll irave to pay exorbitantinternational roaming charges. So devise anolher u'a),of keeping in touch byphone. Prepaid international cailing cards are a good alternative, as is Skype.Students and parents should both harre a se1 of entergeitc)/ contacts with them atall tirles. including contacts from tire school and progranr.

Financcs: 1-eaching your student responsible u,a),s u'ilh u,itich 1o handle his or herfinances is crucial and can begin even be{bre depadure.

I{ave ),our child nranage some money on his or irer ou,n belbre departing.Devise a financial plan with your child for the linre ire or she u,ili be abroad.Write down the expenses you expect )'our child 1o harre and ntake a coiunrn for"needs" and a column for "wants."'lb linrit spending and avoid lost rnoney, teach ),our child 1o lakc money out of theAl'44 a little at a time. Iror example, on Mondays. Irave hinr or lrer take out thccash he or she rvill need for each week_I)ori't begin exchanging currency before your child dcparls-have hirn or her rvailuntil he or she reach the destination.

Studcnt llcsponsibilifl,: I{elping your sludent to enirance hjs or her sense ofrcsporrsibilily 6u,, be beneficial to the student as he or shc stridl, abroad. and in general.

l)iscuss llnancial, social and acadertric respor-rsibilitl, u'i1h vour child- Let l-rinr orItcr knou' liral much of r.l,irat is expected of hinr or lrcr:r1 honre u'ill be expected ofhinr or hcr abroad, alid rnorel:ttc<ttu'agc ;,our sludeni to r-esolrre Iter or ]rcr ou'n issues u'hilc abroad and step irroltIv rl,ltcrt ncccssar)/.

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. Iiave ),our student do the bulk of the study abroad research- l'his rvill not onlyentpower your studenl, but will also teach irim or lier the benefit of thir-rking ahead

and analyz.ing rndrat is besl fol hinl or her as an individual.. Let your student knorv that you 1rus1 hin or irer 1o make the r-ight decisions while

studying abroad.

Food: One of the ntost interesting diflerences between countties is the cuisine, and youu,ili urant 1o make sure that your studel.tl eals well while overseas.

. Tell your student to stick 1o the busy restaurants, as eatiitg at these is iikcll' 52fsrthan at less popular restaurants.

. Students should know to check for pasteulization when eating dairy products, as

not all countries praclice this process in tire way they do in the United States.. Freshly cooked foods are the best bet because they are less likely 1o coutaitr

contaminanls.. Allhough they ma)/ be legally permitted to drink abroad, sludenls should be

advised 1o dlink wilh great care u'hile studying abroad. Alcohol can mix withtroubie overseas the same way it can at home.

Safe{': This is the iargest concenr for most parents of students sludying abroad. Studyabroad tragedies arc fetv and far belrveen, but educate your student on ways to slay safe

in anolher country-

. Sludenls musl be encouraged to cuitivate and utiiize lheir "slreet sntatls" u'hilestudying abroad- Advise them 1o take tire precautions tirey takc at ltonte, as ra,eil as

ne\\/ ones- Tell them to arroid political demonstrations, to onl-y take olficial taxisand to prolecl lireir passpofi at all times.

. Establish emergency procedures u,ith )/our student prior to deparlui'e. Ile sure tocreate a iisl ofentetgency contacls-

. Use the ,>^1!l1e l)ql4t_1uql{l^,ebqrc 10 stay cun'ent on safely issues in spccificcountt-ies.

. Tell your studcnl 10 a\/oid bringing locals back to his or her living quaners,

Socializing can be done arvay fiom student housing.

Visilation: You il12)t 1112111 to rrisit,r,our child u4rile he or she is o\/erseaS. IJou'ct'cr, if 1'6,clroose to do so. do it the righl u'a1'.

. If )'ou visit. choosc to do so at a tinrc that is convenient for ),our studctrt. Do no1

tty 1o visil tirc 1'ir-s1 or Iast u,cek of the stay, or during exallls.. Rententber thal u,hjle it ntay be a vacation ficr you, your sludcnt still has

lcsporrsibiIitics.. You u,ill ntiss )lour-sludeltt. and he or she u'ill miss you, but lor-ullintate gro\\4h.

the slridenl nceds 1o spend qualitl, tinre immersed in l.he cullrrr-c :rnc'l u,i1h lcllorvslud1, abroacl s1 uclcnls.

" Ile prcp:rlcd 1o su'i1ch r-olcs u'illr ),orrr chi]d aud al]orv ltint ot' It<:t' 1<'t sh<trt' .t;()u 11

thing or Iu'ol

Reentry: Just as you musl prepare your studetrl for sludying abroad and supporl hint orher rvhile he or she is away, 1,ou ntust also be sensilive to the possibility that your sludentcould experience "reverse culture-shock" when he or she returns home.

. Allow your chiid a peliod of adjustment when first getting home.

. Students are used 1o being more independent, so take that into considerationduring the firs1 feu,u,eeks alier the retum.

. Encourage your student to keep in touch rvith the people he or she traveled rvitl-rand met u,liiie studlzipo abroad. fhese conneclions are imporlant and can last therest of their iives.

. Lend an attentive ear to your child rvhen he ol she gets hoile. He or she probablyhas a great deal of expeliences to share, and it u,ill be a terrific (re)bondingopporlunity for bolh of you.

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