A few guidelines on how parents/guardians/families should be involved in their kids' plans to study abroad:
- Be informed about and involved in the decision of the participant to enroll in a particular program.
- Obtain and carefully evaluate participant program materials, as well as related health, safety, and security information.
- Discuss with the participant any of his/her travel plans and activities that may be independent of the study abroad program.
- Engage the participant in a thorough discussion of safety and behavior issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
- Be responsive to requests from the program sponsor for information regarding the participant.
- Keep in touch with the participant.
- Be aware that the participant rather than the program administration may most appropriately provide some information.
“I think my greatest learning experience was my ability to overcome the bumps in the road while being in a foreign country. I have more faith in myself now and I think that was the most important thing I took away from the UNO-Innsbruck program.” Alison Marie, University of New Orleans