Studying abroad: What parents need to know
Being a parent is tough and even more when you've to let go off your child. How would you cope with the sadness of seeing your children leaving the nest and traveling abroad for their higher studies?
Being a parent, it is natural for you to be interested in your child’s education. You are likely to have a lot of questions related to overseas education. Tough decisions about when, where and what to study are usually made by the students, but as a parent, you may want to be involved in the decision-making process. We believe by being well informed, you can play a wonderful supporting role as a parent and mentor for your child, as they begin their long study abroad journey with us.
It’s quite natural to have dozens of fears and apprehensions in your mind while you plan your child’s future abroad but highly unlikely you would want to shatter his/her dreams for the sake of your fears. Below you’ll find a list of helpful suggestions on how you can assist your child through the entire study abroad process and later when they move abroad.
Stay informed
You’re likely to feel a lot more secure about your child’s education abroad once you do some effective research. Start by gathering information on your child’s chosen study destination. Look into the course curriculum, campus life abroad and the accommodation options available for international students. You may also want to check with the admissions committee of the university that your child has shortlisted. If you don’t know how to reach or write to the university, we can surely help you.
You can use our online resources to gather all the information you need. An education abroad can pose a lot of challenges and potential difficulties for you and your child. So be prepared to ask the right questions to the college representatives using all the information you’ve gathered.
Safety
Safety of a student studying abroad is one of the primary concerns these days. As a parent you might have premonitions about sending your child for overseas education but think carefully – how safe is your own native country? Safety concerns will arise in every parent’s mind and it as important as any other issues. Students’ safety is one of the main concerns of any reputed institutions abroad so it’s natural that most universities abroad will have their own safety protocols for international students.
As the departure date of your child nears, you can have a lot of anxiety and second-thoughts creeping up in your head. We know how difficult it can be to part with a loved one, but it’s important to understand just how much the student benefits from an independent living and foreign exposure.
Being supportive and learn to let him/her go is the key here to let them know that you stand by their decisions. Give your child the information and resources he/she needs to make better decisions and educate them how to be safe and cautious once they reach their study destination. You should encourage your child to cultivate and utilize their "street smart" skills while living abroad.
Pack
Help your child with his/her packing. It’s important to pack light, but wisely. Draw up a checklist detailing all the things that he/she will need for the course duration abroad.
Check the weight of the luggage, and see if your child is able to move around with it. Your child will have to carry that luggage around for a while, so it’s important to make sure he/she is able to handle the load.
Communicate
Work out a plan of communication before the departure date. It is important to be flexible with your plan because it may not always work out that way. Your child may have Internet issues or phone connection delays — so be prepared for such instances.
Don’t be over-demanding and expect them to call you every day. Try and understand their difficulties and make arrangements to connect at a time, which is favorable for your child as well as you.
Make an effort to connect with other parents whose children have previously studied abroad and learn about their experiences.
Students and parents should both have a set of emergency contacts with them at all times. You should note down the contact details of your child’s college representatives or classmates.
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