Advice for Parents

You may want to take a similar role in the selection of your student's university as you did with your son or daughter's schooling thus far. Whether your son or daughter is looking to be a part of a short term, a language, or an undergraduate or graduate program, we understand that you expect the best. Fortunately, the United States has one of the world's best university systems with outstanding programs in virtually all fields at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To begin, we recommend that students read and fill-out this Study Abroad Safety Handbook independently. This can be the first step that helps him/her take charge of his/her own study abroad experience. However, accomplishing the many tasks involved with planning study abroad in the United States can be difficult. Your son or daughter will most likely need your assistance.

The content on this website is divided up into four sections: Choosing a Program, Practical Information, Health and Safety, and Coming Home. We suggest that you read through the Safety Handbook content, and then make sure your son or daughter has answered the Questions and responded to the items in the Checklist. Many of the items will require feedback from a university administrator, although the Resources section will help you as well. Make sure to have a copy of the Emergency Card that your son or daughter also should carry in his/her wallet.

After your son or daughter has thoroughly reviewed the Handbook independently, and done some research, we encourage you to talk about his/her findings. At this time, we ideally hope that you would sit down with your son or daughter and go through the Handbook with him/her. You may be able to help him/her answer any questions he/she was not able to answer on his/her own.

We understand that your child’s health and safety is important to you. We also know that your concerns for your child’s health and safety increase with distance; the further away your child travels from home, the more important it is for him/her to have support services. In this time of an increased international focus on safety and security, you may feel strongly concerned about your child’s wishes to study and travel abroad in the United States. We hope that by reading this Handbook your concerns will be addressed. You will be able to better assist your son or daughter with choosing a quality program, and with being prepared for health and safety challenges abroad in the United States. Study abroad could possibly be one of the best, most positive and rewarding experiences for your child.