<p>Need advice, please. If you have had a child study abroad, share what we should look for in a program. What safety issues should we consider? Should I say yes? Should I absolutely say no? Help! I am clueless and would like advice from those who have been there w/ their college kids.</p>
<p>Absolutely say YES. It is an experience that can not be duplicated and it will change your kid in ways you cannot imagine (mostly good, but…) My husband was the faculty advisor for a LAC study abroad program and our whole family spent a year abroad with students in Italy. We also did some work with the ACUPI (American College and University Programs in Italy). In addition we have spent time with students in Germany as well, so we have ideas on what we think makes a good program.
Some things I would look for:
Length of program – At least a semester. It takes anyone that long to begin to feel comfortable in new place/language. A year is better, but is not feasible for everyone, however if you kid is interested in language studies, international affairs, international business, etc a year long stay will pay for itself many times over. </p>
<p>Number of Locations – One place. No more. The idea is to learn another culture in depth; if you are doing three weeks here, three weeks there it is hard to really see the nuances of a culture. Kids can travel and do the touristy stuff on breaks, but they should have a solid home base.</p>
<p>Academic rigor – Look for a program that expects real academic progress. If it says “Study art while skiing the Alps! Fun fondue party!” run the other way. Your kid is still in school, you are paying tuition, it is not unreasonable that they learn something of real value. Being a tourist is cheaper then tuition so if that is what you want take a summer trip.</p>
<p>Home stay – Although many kids shy away from these programs because they are uncomfortable with the idea of living with strangers, it can be strong element in becoming a part of another culture. In addition, it appears from anecdotal information that programs that have a significant home stay element have less trouble with alcohol and partying in general. I would be particularly leery of program that puts five or six kids in an apartment with no supervision.</p>
<p>Language study - unless your kid is already fluent or is in an English speaking county this is non-negotiable.</p>
<p>Those are some ideas to start, but that being said, my son will be doing a semester in Rome this year ( We both wish he could spend the whole year, but it just does not work with his program), living in apartment with five other kids, taking full course load, including Italian, even though he is fairly fluent, so it is most things we would ask for in a program.</p>
<p>I agree a lot with what lololu said. Study abroad is a wonderful gift you can give your child. I wish I could have done it when I was in college. Our daughter learned so much confidence and is now able to handle many situations. And she loved doing the home stay. She got to meet real Argentineans and see how they really live and have in depth conversations with them. Her language ability grew rapidly. Her college had sister programs overseas so she took real classes (in Spanish) there. She was a little scared of that at first; but the classes were pass/fail and as her language ability grew, the classes got easier.</p>
<p>As for safety, a lot depends on your kid. Is he reckless or level headed? Most situations abroad merely require common sense. Don’t flash a lot of money or expensive jewelry. Don’t go to the bad part of town-especially alone or at night. Don’t get in a car with a stranger. All the same rules you taught your kid at home.</p>
<p>Study abroad can be a fantastic opportunity. You and your child should definitely check into it. Also don’t forget the sub forum here on study abroad.</p>
<p>D did a 4 month program through the International Honors Program that fit well with her major. It was academically demanding (perhaps more so than the programs offered by her college at the school owned centers) and life-changing in many ways. She was in India, China, & So. Africa with homestays in all locations. She would disagree with lololu’s opinion that a study abroad program should be limited to 1 location.</p>
<p>Study abroad is a wonderful opportunity. The single most important thing is to find a program whereby the credits will be ACCEPTED by your child’s college to satisfy the degree requirements. Otherwise, it will add to your child’s time in school.</p>
<p>Many colleges have study abroad offices. If your student’s school has one of those, that is where your student should start their search for a study abroad program.</p>
<p>Some schools run extensive study abroad programs of their own (Boston University does, for example). If your student attends a college that runs its own study abroad programs, you should start THERE.</p>
<p>Our son did a study abroad through Boston University. He was a student there. There was an application process for his particular program…but after that, it was a very simple process. The school handled everything. The courses ALL were applicable to DS’s course of study. The school owns housing in London (where he was) so they handled housing assignments as well. They even included the airline reservations and airfare in the cost of the semester abroad. Their program is VERY well established. DS was given the option of purchasing a cell phone in London for use while there. School also arranged that and it was on his bed when he arrived. ALL FINANCIAL AID applied to the costs for this term abroad (you need to check that as well as sometimes the financial aid cannot be used for study abroad programs).</p>
<p>DS’s experience was fabulous. </p>
<p>I will say…include in YOUR cost estimates, some extra money for some travel during the terms abroad. This is an opportunity for your kiddo to see many different places while abroad, not just the location where they are studying.</p>
<p>DD was not able to do a study abroad as in her field it would have not transferred as credit towards her degree. We felt badly that she did not have this opportunity, although she has traveled abroad more than anyone else in our family!!</p>
<p>My daughter spent a spring and summer semester in Paris under the auspices of Reid Hall - a program administered by Columbia University but used by other schools as well. Because she was a Columbia College student her credits transferred seamlessly. If a student is attending a program not officially affiliated with their college or university make sure that all of this is hammered out beforehand. </p>
<p>When the housing information came there were gradations in pricing according to neighborhood. Taking safety in consideration and knowing that Reid Hall was in a very safe area, we paid a slight premium to have her host family be located within that same area.</p>
<p>It was a life altering experience for the D. Yes, I know it was only Paris and not a more exotic locale but to make a foreign city your own, master another language and establish relationships with people that years later are still considered “family” is a wonderful thing. </p>
<p>Money well spent.</p>
<p>PS - The D’s “little sister” from France is now a first year student at Columbia College. :)</p>
<p>[Reid</a> Hall - REID HALL](<a href=“http://www.reidhall.net/]Reid”>http://www.reidhall.net/)</p>
<p>D did a semester in Spain and lived with a family. She loved it! Then, she did a semester in Germany and loved it! The experiences she had were incredible. And she travelled everywhere. You can get on those RyanAir (and other low-fare airlines) for about $20/40 (with fees) one-way. She Couch Surfed so didn’t pay for rooms and experienced the country outside the nornal tourist experience. The education she received was more than any classroom could give her. Let your child go! Start looking into it freshman year as most kids go their junior year. You might look into the Rotary (but right now) because you need to apply by a deadline in your freshman year. They have scholarships that will pay $25,000 for it.</p>
<p>My daughter leaves Tuesday for a semester in Scotland at UEdinburgh. She is going through Butler University, which has an amazing study abroad program. I can’t say enough good things about their assistance in preparing the students for their study abroad experience. D does not attend Butler - but they are handling the study abroad.</p>
<p>If you depend on financial aid, do make sure your school will allow you to use aid for the study abroad program. I work at a school that doesn’t allow students to use any campus-based federal aid or institutional aid for study abroad unless it’s their own program.</p>
<p>Is your student already in college, or looking at schools with a strong study-abroad program?
At my D’s school, about 40% of the junior class will be abroad one semester this year or the other. (She leaves Monday, but that’s another thread…) The one thing I didn’t understand before, but that worked in our favor, is that some schools have “affiliated” programs. They either sponsor and administer the program overseas or have an agreement with the school that does. In that case, credits, fin. aid and merit scholarships flow seamlessly between campuses. (In fact, this semester abroad will cost us less than one on campus…) If it’s a program by another college or a foreign college, all those things have to be negotiated… and it’s a pretty good bet that scholarships won’t apply.</p>
<p>My D is in Geneva at this moment in a semester abroad. She has an internship at the International Labor Organization, an affiliate of the UN. Her school did not provide housing. Part of the internship “experience” was to find housing on their own. (BTW, she attends an Ivy.)</p>
<p>If you find yourself, or your child, in this situation, beware. It was extremely stressful for us and very difficult to find a place to live. Our D essentially flew into a foreign city, not fluent in the language, with a place to stay for only a short time. We had been trying to find a place for her all summer. We kept being told --no room. Fortunately, 2 days before literally being homeless they found a place. It was through their internship/job.</p>
<p>My advice, secure living arrangements before you leave.</p>
<p>S will be going to Paris for a Dartmouth FSP in a couple of weeks. The program takes place at Reid Hall. He’ll be in a homestay. I envy him! :D</p>
<p>We’ve hosted foreign students a few times, and find that the quality of the programs seems to vary considerably. We’re always receiving last minute appeals to host students from various organizations, so it seems as if finding host families is a perennial problem.</p>
<p>DS is looking into going to Barcelona next spring with IES. He attends a small LAC (Lafayette) which only has “direct” program with St Louis Univ in Bremen and Madrid but they list all the programs they accept on the college’s website. </p>
<p><<“If it’s a program by another college or a foreign college, all those things have to be negotiated… and it’s a pretty good bet that scholarships won’t apply.” >> That’s not necessarily true. On Lafayette’s website it says, “Any financial aid that a student receives for studying at Lafayette will automatically be applied to the study abroad program; the amount is capped at Lafayette’s cost.” I heard the same story at info sessions/tours at many other colleges.</p>
<p>Anyone have any experience with IES? It looks very well-organized on their web</p>
<p>Study abroad was a defining experience for D. When we boarded a flight to return from a trip to NYC recently, I found myself seated next to the coordinator of her college study abroad program who also taught a one week, one hour course the first week of her seven week stay. It was such a pleasure to be able to express my appreciation to her for the wonderful experience that D had and the personal growth I saw as the result. One of the comforts to me as a parent was the presence of an adult associated with her college who had experience coordinating this program for a number of years.</p>
<p>DD went to Chile through IES. If she hadn’t been receiving good financial aid through Rice, she could have directly enrolled in the university’s international student program and saved lots of money. (If your student is “full-pay” or receives only merit-aid, you might want to check and see if the university affiliated with the program has an international student program that is cheaper.) I do like IES, (and went on an IES program 30 years ago when I was in college! :eek:), because it offers support and a US contact person and insurance and information and orientation… sort of a peace-of-mind thing for parents back home. They also offered classes for kids not fluent enough to attend the Chilean university directly or to supplement those classes. Students were allowed to choose which universities to attend, and how many classes to take directly at the universities. In retrospect, Dd would have been fine just direct enrolling at the U, but IES made the transition smooth. I think IES offers quality programs.</p>
<p>Oldest D went to Spain for a spring and a summer semester. The experience really solidified her language skills. She did well in language classes, but was always shy when speaking. After a month or so abroad, she become very confident in her conversational skills. In fact, her conversational abilities were key for her in obtaining an internship with a Spanish-language media outlet. My youngest D is going to Moscow in a week where she’ll be participating in a twelve-week program at the Moscow Arts Theater. She is really looking forward to the experience. </p>
<p>Almost all of the students I know have had very good experiences with foreign study. From a parent perspective, I’d underscore the point made earlier that a student should always make sure that his/her courses in the study abroad program will transfer to the home institution.</p>