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).