Advice for Parents

We are delighted that your student has decided to embark on a life-changing journey of study abroad with CAPA International Education.  Your student’s interest in enhancing their college education through international education says a lot about the person you have raised. By making this decision, your student is making an important statement about their commitment to becoming an engaged global citizen in an increasingly interdependent world. 

Your student is bound to go through a wide range of emotions over the course of their study abroad experience. It is important for you to offer your full support but also understand that every student will have highs and lows throughout their global journey.   Your student will most likely experience an exciting honeymoon phase in the beginning of their time abroad. However, after this initial stage, realities such as unexpected difficulties with communication, absence of usual support groups, and changes to every day tasks such as washing clothing or grocery shopping can cause feelings of frustration and homesickness but are no reason to cause alarm. 

Often parents only hear from their students during the low moments.  When speaking or emailing your student during these periods, try to focus on the positive aspects of their experiences abroad.  Also remember that he or she is generally not expecting you to solve their problems - as much as you would like to - but instead just looking for a listening ear.  Remind your student that the CAPA International Program Services team is available to support them in all aspects of their experience while abroad. It is important that parents give their students a real opportunity to grow and be independent while abroad so do fight the natural urge to get overly involved and to solve their problems for them!

If you are planning on visiting your student while they are abroad, try to schedule your time around a semester break or at the end of a program term.  It is important that your student is focused on the academic component of their experience abroad and often visits from parents and family can be distracting.

Keep in mind that you may experience many changes in your student once they arrive home from their time overseas.  They will often need some time to readjust to living at home again, and in some cases they may even experience a period of depression or desire to return abroad.  It is again very important for you to give your student your full support as they readjust to life at home.  One of the best methods of support is to listen to their stories, check out their photos, and probe them about their experiences abroad.

We know that your student studying abroad is an exciting event, but one that can cause worries for parents. In this section, we have provided links to some helpful resources to assist you as you prepare for your student’s time abroad.  If you have more questions that are not addressed in this section please, feel free to contact your students study abroad advisor or call the CAPA student services line at 1-800-793-0334.