A Parent Guide to - University of Southern California · 2017-01-24 · Investigating the Options...
Transcript of A Parent Guide to - University of Southern California · 2017-01-24 · Investigating the Options...
A PARENT GUIDE TO
STUDY ABROAD
The Value of Study Abroad
The study abroad experience can help
students:
• Enhance their career opportunities
• Open their eyes to other perspectives and ways
of thinking about the world
• Increase their confidence, personal
responsibility, and independence
• Form diverse and impacting life-long
relationships
Investigating the Options
• Set the tone: you can be your child’s greatest
advocate, or their biggest obstacle. Be supportive, and do
some research with them
• Encourage language study: language acquisition
is one of the most practical and immediate benefits of
studying abroad.
• Discuss a decision making process with your
child: – What do you want to study while abroad?
– How long do you want to be abroad?
– How will study abroad affect campus commitments?
– How much will it cost? Do financial aid or scholarships
apply?
$ Figuring Out the Financials $
Compare different program costs:
• Housing and food: both are usually additional costs with the
host universities, homestays (for select programs) are an efficient
way of saving money and offer an immersion experience
• Location: cost of living varies depending on locale
• Length of Stay: sometimes tuition can cost less abroad than
at home, students are able to take more credits for less money at
universities abroad.
• Additional Expenses: before choosing a program, consider
the additional airfare, meals, books and school supplies, visa and
passport, immunizations, excursions, travel, international insurance, and spending money based on the program and the
student.
Ways to Save Money While
Studying Abroad
• Open a local bank account (if possible)
• Ask for student discounts (museums, restaurants,
travel, etc.)
• Bargain, haggle, negotiate
• Live like a local
• Be smart about transportation, biking or walking
most places
• Set a budget and track expenses
Staying Safe and
Healthy While Abroad
While a majority of students
feel safer abroad than they
do in the U.S., there are
inherent risks in traveling, studying,
and living abroad.
Tips on Health and Safety for Parents
• Research the risks: research your concerns with the U.S. Department of State and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (Links to both websites will be provided to the students.)
• Be informed: research current events, inquire about U.S. stereotypes in other countries, read the news for your child’s host country on a daily/weekly basis
• Talk about health and safety: Make sure that your child has all of your contact information; make a copy of their USC overseas health insurance policy for your records to review when needed
• Encourage common sense: This may be your child’s first time traveling (without you) overseas, so remind them to be aware of their surroundings and the risks of drinking while overseas.
Preparing Your Child for Success
Abroad
Help your child get organized:
– Choose a program
– Check eligibility requirements
– Does the program meet your child’s
personal and academic objectives?
– Review deadlines, especially payment and
refund policies
Preparing Your Child for Success Abroad
Study Abroad Check List:
Current passport and visa
International health care
Travel arrangements
Important information and documents
Budget, spending and savings plan
A plan to access money while abroad
Foreign cell phone plan (USC & host universities will discuss
options with your child)
Universal power adapter
Journal
Supporting Your Child While They
are Abroad • Culture Shock: educate yourself on the four phases
of culture shock so you are not caught off guard when it happens
• Stay in touch-but not too much: Offer support and encouragement, suggest email or Skype dates every few weeks, and promote your child’s independence. Parents who Skype with their children too often might discourage them to explore or might delay their adjustment to their host countries.
• Visit with discretion– or not at all: visiting your child provides a great opportunity to share in a cultural experience, but remember they are not on vacation, they are there to learn and attend class.
Helping Your Child Transition
Back Home
Prepare for Transformation: Most students report that
study abroad changed them for life. Some changes you
may see:
• A greater sense of independence
• Better communication skills
• Increased adaptability
• A greater acceptance of diversity
Understand that reverse culture shock is real: as a
parent, you may not be able to help your child through this
process directly, encourage them to:
• Share stories
• Talk with people who have had similar experiences
• Continue language learning
• Document memories
• Seek out authentic international culture at home
Helping Your Child Transition
Back Home
Bon Voyage!
Excerpts taken from “A Parent Guide to Study Abroad” (Berdan, Goodman, & Gertz; 2015).