Parental Support
Prior to Your Son or Daughter's Departure
Familiarize yourself with the philosophy of the program on which they are about to embark
Talk about their goals and expectations in studying abroad
Talk about any fears or apprehensions they may have
Ensure them that they have your support
While offering limited assistance, encourage them to take responsibility for predeparture logistics and paperwork
Read the General and School-specific handbooks you will receive prior to their departure
Help organize their finances while abroad
Make sure that they have adequate health insurance coverage
Confirm as soon as possible that their passport is valid and extends at least six months beyond the end of the program
Check in periodically with them to confirm that they are gathering the necessary paperwork to secure a visa, if required
Investigate the possibility of securing a power of attorney on their behalf so that the processing of documents in their absence will be easy
When Your Son or Daughter is Abroad
Encourage independence and self-reliance
Do not accompany them to the host country at the start of the program
Understand that all students will experience culture shock and that this may have a significant impact on what they are communicating to you about the experience
Allow them the time and space to develop a support network abroad rather than relying totally on the one back home
Avoid too frequent e-mail or phone communication, which can interfere both with language learning and with integration into the host culture
Avoid visiting while the academic program is in session
When Your Son or Daughter Returns Home
Recognize that they have had a life-changing experience and that, while you may have remained more or less the same, they are probably not the same person they were before going abroad
Let them share the experience with you as much as they want
Understand that they may experience re-entry culture shock and that this can be even more intense than the original culture shock on arrival abroad
Gather information for yourself and them regarding the re-entry experience. www.sit.edu/studyabroad/1045.htm is an excellent starting point.
