Questions Parents & Yourself Should Ask About Study Abroad
Studying abroad is far different from a vacation when you were always on hand to take care of the details and ensure everything on smooth going. On the other hand, some students welcome the opportunity to be completely independent and their parents encourage it.
In assessing whether your child / you should study abroad, here are some questions you should ask:
1. Where is the destination and how long is the program?
By addressing location, you can begin to look at deeper issues like language and cultural difference, security issues, stability of the country, and how much it is likely to cost. If your child hasn't been away from home very often, you might consider a short winter- or summer- program. A child who goes to boarding school or to camp every summer might be able to handle a term or a year of study abroad.
2. How safe is the country where you will be studying?
Determining the stability of the city and country where your child will study should be a top priority. Programs in less developed countries offer some amazing experiences but few guarantees of safety. The U.S. Department of State can be a great resource in your research.
3. Will the university or college give credit for the program you choose?
Many universities or colleges limit credit for study abroad or offer it only for their own partnership programs. Each school has its own set of criteria. These can also affect the cost of a program. Some programs will cost far more than a semester's tuition at the student's home school.
4.What goals does the student have for his time abroad?
Before a student travels abroad, he or she should have a list of goals he hopes to achieve during his stay. Learning the language, creating new adventures, and getting to know the locals are some common goals. This often will lead to reflection on some of the experiences likely to be encountered and highlight potential problems or anxieties. In any case, students still should be open to new and unexpected adventure.
5. Is the student willing to fully immerse himself in a new culture?
If the answer to this question is no, please don't consider a program abroad. If your child isn't willing to become part of something new, he will have a very miserable time. Home sickness happens even under the best of conditions, so it is important that a student be willing to accept new customs in every aspect of daily life.. Learning the language in advance is one way to minimize this discomfort.
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