Parent Resources

Sending a son or daughter overseas can be an anxious experience for any parent. There are a number of ways that you can inform and prepare yourself, and your student, for their experience. Here are answers to some common questions that parents of Education Abroad participants often have:

To what extent should I be involved in helping my son or daughter select a program?

Students should take a number of factors into consideration when deciding on a program. Aspects such as the culture and language of the host country, the size and location of the host institution, the types of courses typcially offered, and the housing arrangements can all play a role in this important decision. While it is important that you encourage your students to thoroughly consider their options, it is equally important that they reach a decision on their own. Students are more likely to benefit from and appreciate a program which they have chosen on their own accord.

I'm unsure of many of the details of my son or daughter's education abroad program. How/where can I find more information?

Students learn a great deal of information about studying abroad and their particular program through our extensive orientation process. The best way to learn more about their program and the education abroad process in general is to simply ask them to share this information with you. This website also contains a great deal of helpful information so spend some time perusing it before they leave. You'll feel much more confident once you have a better idea of the program logistics.

Where can I find more information about financial matters?

Each Bentley education abroad program has its own webpage, which you can link to from the Semester, Summer and Internship Programs tab of this website. The corresponding program fee is listed on each page, as well as estimated addiational expenses in the host country currency. A link to information on scholarships and financial aid can also be found on our education abroad homepage.

How can I best assist my son or daughter with pre-departure logistics like applying for a visa, completing Bentley/host institution forms, booking flights, packing, etc.?

Showing interest in your son or daughter's pre-departure preparation can be a positive way for you to learn more about their program while demonstrating your support for them. While gentle reminders and suggestions are fine, however, please resist the temptation to complete steps for your son or daughter. The preparation phase can really set the tone for the remainder of the program, so students should become accustomed to working through issues and completing important documents on their own. This will not only prepare them to be more independent, but will also increase their feeling of ownership of the entire education abroad experience.

What can I do to help my son or daughter prepare for the cultural adjustment aspect of their study abroad experience?

All students experience some degree of culture shock while they are overseas, although many aren't able to recognize it as such until much later . Common symptoms include homesickness, stress, frustration, and loneliness. These kinds of feelings are very typical, yet they will subside with time and effort. Although adjustment to differences in language, accommodations, social norms, academics, and more can be frustrating and challenging at first, it is exactly this type of adaptation process that makes an education abroad experience such a rewarding educational and independence-building endeavor. Reminding your student to expect such feelings before they leave and to approach situations with an open mind will help minimize the shock once they arrive.

It's also important to encourage your son or daughter to contact our office to discuss any last-minute questions they may have. Just as is the case with parents, knowing the details will help students feel much more conficent when they arrive in an unfamiliar place. That said, remind your son or daughter that they must be ready to deal with uncertainty and difference. Most students are bound to encounter some type of unforeseen obstacle along the way.

How comparable will the host institution services/facilities be to those at Bentley?

Most foreign institutions are quite different than their American counterparts, in everything from registration procedures, to teaching style, to accommodations, to technology, to campus facilities. These differences, however, are in no way indicative of a lack of quality on either side. Students should embrace and learn from such differences and resist the urge to make comparisons, especially early on.

 How safe will my son or daughter be when they are studying abroad?

Our office works closely with our partner institutions to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students. While no part of the world is crime-free (including the U.S.), we prepare students for common safety issues during the orientation process at Bentley and on-site at their host institution, and make them aware of the resources which will prove helpful in the event of an emergency. If you or your son/daughter have specific safety concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

How involved should I be when my son or daughter is overseas?

This question is one that almost every parent of an education abroad participant must face at one time or another. It's always difficult to maintain the balance between being an available, supportive parent and allowing your son or daughter to advocate and learn for themselves while overseas. This fine line becomes even harder to navigate given the amount of daily communication that most students and parents are used to with modern technology. Although it's important to listen and act as a sounding board for your son or daughter throughout their experience, keep in mind that they may not need more than a listening ear. Support your son or daughter to take ownership of their personal challenges by making use of local resources. Students who return from studying overseas report among other things a newfound independence which will serve them as they transition out of the university setting. Allowing students room to self-advocate and adapt to unfamiliar situations will only help them grow.

What can I expect when my son or daughter returns from abroad?

Students returning from such a transformative experience will most likely experience a period of "reverse culture shock", during which time they must reconcile their new perspective and experiences abroad with their life at home. Don't be worried if this leads them to miss their host country, as this is completely normal. Take the time to relive their experience with them through stories and pictures as they process all that they've learned while abroad. Students will soon re-adapt to life in the US, but with a newfound perspective and worldview.