How will we communicate?
Communicating with your student while he/she is abroad is vital to everyone to assuage concerns and worries while apart. However, it is also important to realize that your student is learning a great deal of independence during this time and may not communicate as often as before.
Many students will purchase a cell phone while abroad or take their own cell phone with them. It is a great reassurance for both parents and students to feel they can be in contact almost instantly any time of the day. But also realize that changes in time zones, schedules, and activities may mean that your student won't always answer the phone. Try to not let this worry you -- instead, recognize that your student is developing into an independent, self-sufficent individual, in part due to your skills in raising them and allowing them take on this adventure.
Telephone is not the only way to communicate; e-mail of course is a great way to keep in touch, and hand-written letters and care packages are the best gifts while away on longer programs.
How do we deal with homesickness and culture shock?
By choosing to study abroad, your student is placing themselves in an unfamiliar culture and possibly a new language. The opportunity to learn this new culture and language is both rewarding and challenging.
It can be upsetting when your student calls home upset and frustrated, but it is important for students to learn to explore solutions on their own and adapt to local life. Homesickness and culture shock are normal part of the learning experience abroad, and occurs at different times and for different periods for everyone. Here are some positive things you can express to your student to help them through this time:
- Expect that your student will experience some initial disappointment. Concerns with the food, weather, and housing are the major reasons for calls home expressing homesickness at the outset of a study abroad program. These concerns usually dissipate once the program is in full swing.
- Encourage him or her to talk with program advisor, peers, or professors
- Encourage him or her to go out and visit sites or experience things he / she can’t do here
- Listen patiently to his / her concerns; many times students just need a sounding board
- Encourage student to try and make changes him/herself. Perhaps the most important thing a student can learn while abroad is how to change one’s attitude and accomplish things on one’s own. It is not realistic to think that you will be able to solve their problems from thousands of miles away.
- Help your student remember the academic nature of the program, and encourage him/her to be perseverant in the face of academically challenging work.
- Be understanding of how different cultural systems work, and encourage your student not to have expectations of U.S. values and systems abroad. After all, one goes abroad to find different things and to find things differently.
- If you are concerned that there are serious problems, either with the environment or with the student, please contact the Center for International Studies at TCU (817-257-7473, studyabroad@tcu.edu) or the program provider.
- You should consider applying for a passport when your student does, so that you will have in case you need to – or want to – travel to visit your student.
How can we prepare for and deal with emergencies?
Encourage your student to be prepared for emergencies by doing the following:
- Program important numbers into their cell phone:
- International SOS: 1-215-942-8226
- The on-site coordinator / faculty leader
- Housing coordinator
- Local emergency services (i.e. equivalent of 911)
- Reputable taxi company
- Call SOS (1-215-942-8226 ) to verify the closest pharmacy and hospital
- Review the SOS website for up-to-date reports on safety, health, medical care, and vaccinations
In case of any emergency (illness, lost of stolen wallet, traumatic event), students should call their program leader or call International SOS (1-215-942-8226). You may also call International SOS.