Information for Parents
Information for Parents
Going to college is an investment that will benefit your child for years to come, and so is studying abroad! More and more students are realizing the short- and long-term benefits of studying abroad during their college career, and your support and encouragement as a parent will only help your son or daughter to reap the greatest rewards from this experience.
Deciding to send your child on an overseas program is a big decision.
For many students, this will be the first time they spend a significant length of time away from their parents, let alone travel overseas. The Study Abroad Office has compiled the list of questions (from the perspective of a parent) and answers below to help you better understand the study abroad program and how it will impact your son or daughter. Advisors are also available to meet with parents who would like the opportunity talk one-on-one or with their son or daughter.
Why should you support your child in going abroad?
Studying abroad helps students to grow and mature both personally and academically. Students learn about a lot about themselves and what they are capable of, and studying abroad may help to shape their future goals. With less than 2% of the entire US student population going abroad, students with this type of experience on their resume gain a significant competitive edge in the fierce job market that awaits after graduation. Studying abroad is relevant to a student's academic career and can help a student to have real-world experience that relates to their career path. In addition to showing that a student is interested in diversity and international issues, going abroad also demonstrates many other traits about an individual, including:
- Open-mindedness
- Initiative and leadership capability
- Willingness to step outside their comfort zone
- Maturity
- Independence
- Flexibility
- Curiousity
- Self-reliance
How can I afford the experience?
Studying abroad does not have to put your son or daughter, or yourself, in debt. One of the biggest myths out there about studying abroad is the idea that it is too expensive. This is not the case! Why? First and foremost, SVSU students are able to use ALL of their scholarship and financial aid previously awarded to them for the semester in which they plan to go abroad. This means any scholarship, grant, and loan they are scheduled to receive will automatically transfer over to the study abroad program of their choice. SVSU also offers very affordable programs - some that are equal to SVSU tuition and housing rates, others even less! Finally, students can take advantage of the close to $100,000 in study abroad scholarship available at SVSU alone, not to mention the funds that are available off-campus.
Many students are able to go abroad for little to no extra financial hardship. Read more about study abroad Scholarships & Financial Aid, and meet with a Financial Aid or Study Abroad advisor to discuss the financial aspect of studying abroad in more detail.
Will my child be safe and healthy?
Safety and health are a key concern of the Study Abroad Office and its partners.
SVSU policy prohibits students from traveling to unsafe destinations, as determined by US Department of State travel warnings.
In addition, students are required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation session where health and safety concerns are addressed in detail. Parents are encouraged to attend this session with their son or daughter. Topics of discussion as they relate to health and safety include: health and travel insurance, emergency protocol, traveling with prescription medication, eating and sanitary customs and recommendations, international flights and customs, student code of conduct, safety precautions, and more. In most cases, students will also participate in a second orientation session after arrival to the destination that addresses health and safety issues particular to the location they are studying.
Students studying abroad will never be alone. They will always have direct access to an in-country support contact and to an SVSU study abroad staff member via phone, e-mail, Skype, etc. The majority of programs are group-oriented, meaning students will be traveling with other SVSU students or American students. Study Abroad students are also provided ISIC (International Student ID Card) insurance, which provides a limited amount of health and travel insurance.
On faculty-led programs, students travel with a minimum of 2 SVSU faculty or staff members and a group of SVSU students. The Study Abroad Office also provides HTH health insurance coverage and registers faculty-led participants into the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the Department of State.
Will it affect my child's credits and graduation?
Another of the major myths surrounding study abroad is the idea that going abroad will delay a student's graduation date. As a parent, you are likely concerned about your son's or daughter's priorities and the progress they make toward completing their studies and earning a degree. Studying abroad is not an expensive vacation. The Study Abroad Office promotes only programs that are academic in nature, and program options are available for every major offered at SVSU. Students will be in the classroom and will be required to complete assignments as they would for a class on campus at SVSU. Both credits and letter grades are transferred from the study abroad program back to SVSU.
Students have the option of taking general education classes abroad or taking classes relevant to their major. Study Abroad Advisors work one-on-one with students to help them find courses that will count toward their degree. Students are encouraged to get any required courses approved ahead of time, so they are guaranteed that credit transfers in as they need it.
Internship opportunities are available for every major as well, allowing students to gain real-world work experience to help build their resume.
Studying abroad helps students to gain a global perspecitive in their field of study (which looks great on a resume). The SVSU Office of Career Services has staff available to advise students on the best way to incorporate a study abroad experience onto a resume. Rather than delaying graduation, studying abroad actually helps students to advance and to get a step up on the competition in the job market today.
How can I find out more?
Staff in the Study Abroad Office are more than happy to speak with you about the study abroad program and the process a student must go through to go abroad. Advisors are available to communicate by phone, e-mail, or for an in-person meeting. Contact the Study Abroad Office.