Santa Clara University

Tips on Talking with Your Parents About Study Abroad

So you have decided you want to study abroad! That’s fantastic! Having the support of your parents is equally important. Afterall, they are your teachers and first line of support. If you are one of the lucky ones whose parents are pushing you to study abroad and experience the world…great! Or maybe you need more work to convince your parents to let go. Remember, parents often just need to be assured of your safety, the affordability of your program, and the relevance of a study abroad experience in your overall academic, personal, career, and vocational goals. The following are some suggested tips on discussing study abroad with your parents or guardians.

Health & Safety

• While student health and safety is THE number one concern for Santa Clara and all of our program providers, this is something that can never be guaranteed. Assure your parents that Santa Clara University has satisfactorily reviewed the health and safety protocol for all our approved program providers before they are approved.
  
  
• While independence is one of the many personal reasons students take the challenge to study overseas, you will still need to be very understanding that parents naturally want you to make the right decisions. Discuss how you have consistently made the right and mature decisions while at SCU or on any other trips that you might have made.

Keep Parents Well Informed

• The more you take responsibility for your study abroad planning  and let your parents in on your plans, the more likely they are to be comfortable with and to support your decision to study abroad. Do your research first so you can be prepared to answer your parents questions about courses, housing , and costs.
• Inform your parents that study abroad credits fulfill SCU graduation requirements
• Don’t overwhelm parents with options. Do your research and discuss your top 3 choices. Bring brochures home for your top 3 choices during Thanksgiving Break and go through them carefully.
• Brochures can be picked up from Benson during Study Abroad Week (October) or from the International Programs Office.
• Print out the U.S. Government’s official information sheet on the country to which you want to study by visiting the State Department’s website: www.travel.state.gov
• Bring maps to educate your parents on the country’s location
• Keep parents informed throughout your decision-making process.

Program Affordability

• Study abroad students pay the same TUITION as on-campus students and pay different HOUSING & PROGRAM FEES based on program and location. Print out the study abroad fees schedule on www.scu.edu/studyabroad/fees
• Assure them that you can use 100% of your University financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, etc) to cover study abroad tuition, housing & program fees.
• Download the Study Abroad Budget Worksheet from our website (www.scu.edu/studyabroad/forms ) and work with parents to fill it in.
• Have some plans on how you can contribute to the cost of the study abroad program. Perhaps by saving some money, taking a summer job, etc.

All the best to you!