A Practical Guide to Studying Abroad (For Parents)

No matter how old they are, you can’t help but feel protective of your children. While the idea of your child venturing into the wide world can certainly be hard on parents (just ask mine!), studying abroad is an amazing opportunity for them to learn more about themselves, develop a global perspective, and exercise their independence beyond a traditional classroom setting.

Read on to find out more about studying abroad and how to support your prospective traveler!

Study abroad is a decision that will impact the rest of their lives. It reaches far beyond just academics and careers, as it can also open their minds to understanding new cultures, experiences, and create global friendships.

Here are the benefits of studying abroad for your child:

• They develop confidence: Adapting to culture shock, trying bizarre foods, and navigating subway systems are all part of the experience! Students often return home with self-confidence in their abilities to problem solve and adapt to life’s challenges, which is a great mindset to have!
• It teaches real-world skills: Global skills fosters cultural awareness, adaptability, and independence - skills that companies drastically need, setting them apart in today’s competitive job market.
• They may learn a second language: Language immersion is the best way to learn a second language. Studying Mandarin for a few hours a week at home won’t deliver the same results as would living in Beijing for a semester. Total immersion is the bridge to language fluency!
• It can give them clarity: Studying abroad may help your child understand what they want to do in life. From the cultures they embrace to the connections they forge, they’ll learn more about future opportunities and what resonates with them most.
• They build global connections: One of the most enriching parts of studying abroad are the global friendships. Many of these friendships will continue long after students return home. Your child will also likely be around others who are studying in their field, which can greatly expand their global professional network.

Read more: 10 Reasons Why Every Student Should Study Abroad

Picking the perfect location for your dependent’s study abroad adventure is essential. You'll want to choose a location that is both inspiring and exciting, while also picking a program that supports your child's academic goals and growth, and ultimately, won't delay their graduation (if that’s a key factor).

Here are some things to consider when choosing a study abroad location for your child:

• Culture: Is your child open-minded and free-spirited, or more conservative in nature? It’s important to choose a country that has a culture that can accommodate their lifestyle.
• Climate: What sort of climate would your child suit best? Consider whether they prefer warmer, milder, or colder climates, and the time of year that they’re studying abroad.
• Language: Is English being an official language or at least common and important to your child? Or, do they want to study somewhere more authentic and unique?
• Cost of living: While you may find an inexpensive university or program, you'll also need to consider the cost of living in that country, from the rent, food, transportation, and more. 

Read more: 13 Best Places to Study Abroad

Once you’ve narrowed down the destination to a region or a specific country, you can move on to selecting a program! Here are the steps you’ll need to take when navigating program selection for your child. 

• Establish a timeline: How long do they want to study abroad for? You can study abroad for a summer, a semester, or full-time for 4 years! Consider the program length, date, and whether it affects their graduation date.
• Identify the goal: What does your child want to get out of  studying abroad? Are they looking to maximize their education and college credits, or do they seek world experience and language development?
• Create a budget: Each program offers different things, and the costs will vary according to the institution, program length, and more. You’ll also need to consider the cost of living in that specific country.
• Look for scholarships: From university and program-specific scholarships to financial aid, you can search for scholarships right - here on GO and beyond - to aid your child’s studies.
• Seek advice and counsel: Don’t just rely on the program descriptions. Consider reading up on program reviews, reaching out to alumni members, and reaching out to schools for advice.

You might be completely on board with the idea of studying abroad after reading the benefits, but you may be put off by the price tag. However, it doesn’t have to be expensive. 

Here’s how you can make studying abroad affordable for your family: 

• Consider enrollment options: Students can directly enroll to a university, which is cheaper but requires handling the logistics (such as visa, accommodation, and more) yourself. Third-party programs cost more but take care of key aspects such as accommodation, in-country orientation, 24/7 support, and more for your child.
• Program length: Your child doesn’t have to study abroad for 4 years. In fact, they can study abroad for as short as a summer or a semester! Short-term programs can offer flexibility with pricing and timing.
• Choose cost-effective locations: Many countries boast low or even free tuition, and studying abroad can be much cheaper than in the US and other countries. Countries such as Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Iceland, and Greenland are known for their free (or incredibly low) tuition fees, even for international students.
• Apply for scholarships: Encourage your student to apply for government, university, program or local scholarships and grants. You may qualify for financial aid if your household income is beneath a threshold, or your child is a member of a historically underserved group in education abroad. You can find scholarships right here on Go Overseas, and you can apply to more than one!
• Keep track of expenses: Create a monthly budget plan for your child to develop their budgeting awareness and skills. From tracking pre-departure expenses from airfare, vaccinations, passport fees to monthly expenses such as travel insurance, rent, food, transportation, this will help them develop a frugal mindset.
• Use public transportation: Help your child keep costs low by mapping out transportation routes across their study abroad location and consider monthly transportation passes to help them save money.
• Find inexpensive activities: Remind your child that there are plenty of free or low-cost activities, from free museums to city tours and nature hikes, and more!

Read more: How to Budget for Study Abroad

Students receive plenty of support from their university, study abroad provider, and more. But, here’s how you can take extra steps to ensure your child’s safety and smooth transition into a new country:

• Get travel insurance: Whether they're experiencing a minor inconvenience or a country-wide situation, travel insurance can provide plenty of security and support when they’re without their guardians.
• Learn about the host country: Becoming familiar with the local laws, customs, and embassy locations, will help you both feel more comfortable. For country-specific health information, safety tips, travel advice, and current travel warnings, visit travel.state.gov.
• Remind them of their medical history: Remind your child of their medical history and create a bilingual document with info on any medication or allergies in case of emergencies. Make sure that your child’s medication is legal in that country, and that they have enough of their prescription before they go. If it’s not available, ask a medical professional about in-country alternatives and obtain a letter!
• Be smart with valuables and money: Pickpocketing can happen anywhere, so being extra-cautious in crowded areas is the best advice. Tell your child to carry small amounts of cash whenever they go out, and secure the rest at your new home.
• Keep backups of everything handy: Have backup copies of your student's passport saved on your computer or in Google drive. For a stolen wallet, have a way to wire them money, or suggest they keep an emergency credit/debit card separate from their wallet.

Don’t be surprised if your child thrives in their study abroad destination so much that they forget to check in once in a while. From their weekend trips with new friends to the academic workload, it’s inevitable that they may stray from their weekly check-in. 

Here’s how you can stay in touch with your child while they study abroad: 

• Set up an arrival call: Arrange a quick text or call when your student lands to ease your worries. But, be patient! Time zones, flight delays, or Wi-Fi issues can mean that they take longer than expected. Some programs even send family updates via newsletters or blogs!.
• Create a flexible schedule: Establish a call routine that fits both of your schedules, but stay flexible as they adjust to life abroad. A routine helps ensure you stay in touch without overdoing it.
• Check in before and after trips: Encourage a short message before and after trips away. While students don’t often realize this expectation, it’s a simple safety habit that keeps you informed.
• Avoid calling the program unless it's an emergency: Try to avoid calling your child's study abroad office or program unless it's an emergency. Some students are terrible at keeping in touch, but rest assured that no news is often good news. If any serious issues occur, you’ll be notified immediately.
• Download essential apps: Apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Instagram are excellent in keeping in touch with the younger generation. From scheduled video calls, family group chats, and photo updates, social media is the best way to keep in touch with the younger generation.

Read more: Top Ways to Keep in Touch with Friends and Family While Overseas

It’s all good trying to keep your students safe while studying abroad, but what about you, the parents?! It’s important that you also have peace of mind when they’re in another country, and here are our tips for parents of students studying abroad.

• Join a parent forum: Platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and Mumsnet offer great spaces for parents of study abroad students to connect, share advice, and exchange stories. It’s a very comforting way to relate to others on the same journey!
• Give them space to grow: This is their study abroad experience – stay in touch, but avoid being overprotective. Trust that they’ll navigate challenges and thrive independently.
• Stay calm through challenges: Challenges are inherent to life, whether they’re at home or studying abroad. Your student will learn resilience abroad, but if serious issues arise (mental health, medical concerns, etc.), contact their program coordinator right away.

If you're considering study abroad options for your high schooler, many of the same principles apply, but with a few key differences! High school programs typically offer more structure and supervision, with options ranging from summer language immersion to full academic year exchanges. 

Look for programs with strong duty of care policies, 24/7 emergency support, and vetted homestay families. Your teen will need to be more independent than at home, but not as independent as a college student abroad. Talk openly about expectations, safety protocols, and how you'll stay connected. 

And remember: high school study abroad can be an incredible resume builder for college applications and a chance for your teen to develop maturity and cultural awareness during a formative time.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions (and answered!) we get here at GO! 

Can my child study abroad on a tight budget?

Yes! There are many ways that you can study abroad on a tight budget. From choosing countries with low-tuition fees and living costs to applying one of our many budgeting tips, there are many ways to minimize expenses while studying abroad.

Read more: How to Budget for Study Abroad

How often should I contact my child while they’re studying abroad?

It depends on your unique relationship. Those who are independent, confident, and well-traveled may benefit from weekly or even biweekly calls, whereas those who require more reassurance and check-ins will benefit from more frequent calls. 

What should I do if my child is homesick?

Homesickness and culture shock are common among international students. Validate their feelings and reassure them that what they’re doing takes immense courage and is an investment to their future! 

How do I know if a program is reputable?

There are many ways to know if a program is reputable, from doing your own research into external accreditation to reading our Go Overseas Community Choice Awards, which is awarded based on thousands of alumni reviews and testimonials.

Can my child study abroad if they have dietary restrictions or medical needs?

Yes, absolutely. However, it requires thorough planning, like raising this dietary restriction with their study abroad provider, researching the food scene at their destination country, printing out a bilingual allergy card, and so on.

Should you study abroad during the winter, spring, summer, or fall semester?

Each offers distinct advantages. The fall semester is when most students start, offering more options and greater potential for making friends than the spring semester. While the summer is great for short-term programs, it’s a more expensive time to travel. 

Read more: When is the Best Time to Study Abroad? Pros & Cons

Will studying abroad delay their graduation?

Not necessarily, as it depends on your unique program and factors like when you study abroad and the requirements of your home institution. It’s important to contact your designated study advisor to understand whether graduation. 

You may now be stress-free because you know that they’re home safe. However, there are ways you can improve their readjustment to life at home. Keep an eye out for reverse culture shock - the feeling of realizing that home isn’t quite home anymore, or that your child has outgrown that environment. 

• Be patient: Try to be patient with their constant romanticization of their study abroad lifestyle, references to international friends, or their desire to travel again immediately upon return.
• Encourage habits from abroad: To ward off feelings of reverse culture shock, encourage them to stay connected with their international friends, continue language learning and any other skills or activities they practiced out there.
• Show interest: More importantly, ask them lots of questions! Get excited about hearing about their trip because they'll undoubtedly be gushing with stories and will want nothing more than to have you listen to them. It can be hard to resonate with if you haven’t experienced yourself, but be sure to celebrate the growth and new perspectives they learned along the way.

We understand the natural concerns or questions that parents may have about studying abroad. From the costs, visa logistics, to the safety of students, there are an abundance of questions that you need to ask! Just remember that not only will your child receive plenty of in-country support, but they’ll grow in independence and form lifelong connections. Even if your child doesn't say it enough, they will forever be grateful that you supported them and saw the value in this experience, which will shape who they are for years to come. 

Read more about studying abroad: 

• Study Abroad Insurance: All You Need to Know Before You Go
• Everything You Need to Know About Study Abroad Housing
• How to Make Friends While Studying Abroad