Information for Parents

The thought of sending your student abroad can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. This guide will help prepare you and your student for the journey that is education abroad.

Finances

  • Be open and honest with your student about what you will and will not help pay for.
  • Consider having a joint checking account so that you can easily provide funds to your student while abroad, if need be.
  • Encourage your student to meet with the financial aid counselor for education abroad to discuss what can be covered by federal aid, grants or loans. Also, encourage your student to explore the numerous scholarship opportunities available to students studying abroad.

Communication

  • Set clear expectations for communication while abroad.  Keep in mind your student is in an exciting new place, and may want to focus more on their time abroad, so keeping in contact with home may be a lower priority.
  • Remember traveling can be a lengthy and exhausting process, and your student may not be able to contact you right when the flight lands. They may need to wait until reaching the final destination of a hotel or dorm room, which may be several hours later.
  • Encourage your student to blog about their experience! It is a great way for you to stay updated on the education abroad experience, and allows your student to have time to reflect on their time abroad.
  • Consider using Skype, Facetime, and other apps or social media sites as a low cost way to keep in touch.

Health and Safety

  • Keep a copy of your student's passport and other important documents with you, along with their in-country contact information.
  • The Office of Global Education (OGE) provides many health and safety resources.
  • There is a pre-departure orientation for students and parents in which health and safety topics are discussed.
  • There are in-country orientations which repeat and add additional health and safety information.
  • OGE provides emergency resources.