Parents and Family

While Abroad on EAP

Support for Your Student While Abroad

While abroad, the UC Study Center is a student’s first point of contact for all matters. The first encounter that your son or daughter will have with EAP Study Center staff will be during the on-site orientation provided by the Study Center and the host institution (when applicable) immediately after arrival. Among other things, the Study Center Director and staff provide support; advise students on academic matters, program logistics, and personal issues; provide information on cultural activities; and help with on-site emergencies. Study Center contact information is listed in the EAP Program Guide. If you need more information than what is provided there, contact the Universitywide Office of EAP.

Communicating with Your Student While Abroad

Make sure that you have necessary emergency contact information and your student’s contact information abroad.

While abroad, some students may create anxiety at home when they do not communicate with parents or other important contacts. Note that access to e-mail abroad is not always as readily available as it is in the U.S., even in parts of Western Europe where you would expect access to be comparable.

• Before departure, establish a plan of communication with your son or daughter. It is important to realize that this plan may need to be altered once your student has settled into a routine.

• Discuss alternate contacts for your son or daughter when he or she cannot reach you. Decide on a workable plan that outlines when and how your student will contact you to confirm safe arrival in the host country, keep you informed of independent travel plans during their term abroad, etc.

• Students and parents should both have a list of emergency contacts with them at all times, including contacts from the school and program, address while abroad, etc.

• Satellite phones are a more expensive option for students studying abroad, but are vital if your student will be in a less modern country, as they offer full service anywhere in the world, with no need for a cell phone tower.

• Telephone, e-mail, Skype, prepaid telephone cards, instant messaging, blogs, etc. are some of the communication methods that you can use.

• If you use Skype, know your student’s screen name.

Communication technologies have changed dramatically over the years. While such changes have provided extraordinary benefits, they can also pose challenges when your son or daughter cannot be reached because of a busy schedule abroad.

Your student’s first weeks may be challenging, as constant adjustments are required in dealing with a different academic structure, housing, culture, language, and political and cultural environment, and new colleagues and friends. Some students immediately contact their parents rather than talking with the EAP faculty and staff who are on site. Parents may unknowingly escalate the situation by moving into problem-solving mode, taking over, and attempting to resolve situations on behalf of their son or daughter. Though it may be difficult for you as a parent to do, if your son or daughter is complaining about personal circumstances, you should ask him or her to contact the EAP faculty and staff. These professionals will have the best perspectives to share with your student to help address problems and frustrations. Encourage your son or daughter to be patient, to resolve his or her own issues, to have a sense of humor, to learn from the new culture, and to shed expectations influenced by their home culture. However, if at any time you feel that your son or daughter is facing an unsafe situation or is involved in any type of personal emergency, contact the Universitywide Office of EAP immediately.