Information for Parents

As you may already know, study abroad is often a life-changing experience, not only for the student abroad, but for her/his family as well. We encourage you to learn about study abroad yourself, so that you can help your daughter or son as he or she embarks on this journey and so that you can be informed about the various issues related to study abroad. These include Butler University's policies and procedures, the patterns of cultural adjustment, health and safety abroad, and so forth. Approximately 150 Butler students study abroad each year and have access to program in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the South Pacific for a full academic year or a semester.

Some of the work the Center for Global Education does to help students in the study abroad process includes:

Evaluate potential programs for affiliation and monitor currently affiliated programs.
Develop and implement educational programs including Study Abroad Information Sessions, pre-departure orientation and special events for students who have returned from abroad. These programs provide students with the practical, educational and emotional knowledge to help them choose an appropriate overseas study experience, make the most of their time abroad and continue to learn from their experience once they return.
Work closely with faculty and administrators to clarify and streamline study abroad materials and policies.
Produce informational materials on study abroad for students, faculty and administrators.
Advise students on an individual basis as often as the students would like.
Talk with parents/guardians about the study abroad and related issues.
Facilitate student registration for study abroad status.
Facilitate the billing of study abroad students.
Maintain contact as needed with all students abroad.
Facilitate the posting of study abroad academic credit once students return to campus

Assisting Your Son or Daughter

We offer the following suggestions to help you participate in your son's or daughter's exploration and experience.

Before Departure

Values and Goals - help your student identify and clarify values and goals for the study abroad experience early in the process.
Options - understand the options available to your student.
Models - be familiar with the various types of programs and what they are designed to facilitate or promote.
Fit - determine how well individual programs, services and environments fit your student's academic needs, personal goals, linguistic preparation, expectations and interests.
Features and Benefits - consider what is available and if these features provide benefits valued by your student.
Informed Choice - consider how study abroad in a less-traditional destination might fulfill your student's academic, cultural, linguistic, personal and professional goals.
Advantages and Disadvantages - help your student weigh the likely advantages of study abroad in a particular program or destination against any perceived disadvantages.
Approval Process - learn what your student must do to be authorized to study abroad by BU - review policies concerning eligibility and approval.
Participation Requirements - understand the requirements your student must meet to participate, including academic performance, social standing and behavioral expectations.
Costs, Financial Assistance, and Scholarships - assess program costs and what they cover; anticipated personal expenses associated with participation; and the availability and process for financial aid and scholarships.
Volatility - understand that study abroad involves risk and volatility regardless of where your student studies, though some destinations may be more likely to present specific risks such as health precautions, strikes, political turmoil, natural disasters, or crime - gather information about such concerns and evaluate them carefully - learn more about local conditions and travel precautions through the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, http://travel.state.gov and the Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov.

When your student has selected a specific site, be sure you receive, review and understand the following information about your student's program:

Program Structure - type, location, duration, size, facilities and staffing
Academic Credit - how earned, courses available, how applied to degree at BU
Living Arrangements - homestay, residence, independent living and other options
Orientation - pre-departure program on campus and upon arrival in country
Safety and Responsibility - security measures, precautions, local conditions, contingency plans and emergency procedures
Health and Wellness Resources - recommended precautions and required immunizations, local medical care, program services and referrals
Support Services - academic, social, emotional, health and wellness and special needs
Cost - program fee, what the fee covers, and how to pay
Travel Arrangements - how to make them and program dates

**Please make sure one parent or guardian has a valid passport during the time of your son or daughter's study abroad experience. To find out how to apply for a new passport or renew an expired passport, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/

While Abroad

Maintain communication with reasonable frequency but not on a daily basis.
Keep the program calendar in mind - if you haven't heard from your son or daughter, it may be because he or she is on a program excursion or traveling during a break.
Encourage your son or daughter to refer to the Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation Handbook.
Stay in touch with the program sponsor concerning security precautions and conditions abroad.
Monitor online information and advisories from the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Contact the program provider should you or your son or daughter need assistance.
Keep a journal of events and celebrations that occur during the semester or year to share with your son or daughter when he or she returns home.

When They Return

Expect your son or daughter to have a period of transition upon return, sometimes as long as the period he or she was abroad.
Continue your enthusiasm for your son or daughter's experience in the months after he or she returns home - show interest in the photos, stories and memories to help keep the experience alive.
Encourage your son or daughter to resolve any remaining course approvals to prevent delay in the posting of academic credit.
Don't open transcripts received from abroad - these may have been inadvertently sent to your son or daughter rather than the Center for Global Education - check with your son or daughter first to determine if he or she requested a copy.
Forward any program-related materials to your son or daughter for processing on campus.