by Carmen Hernández, Northwestern University
In the post-pandemic era, within the realm of international education, various trends have come to the forefront. Among colleagues in my office, as well as in the field at large, we've increasingly noticed a heightened level of parental involvement in the study abroad process. We believe that this increased parental involvement can be attributed to several factors: Financial Investment: One reason is that many parents contribute to the funding of their child's education; hence, they desire to be involved in the decision-making process. At Northwestern’s Global Learning Office (GLO), we've observed a growing number of inquiries from parents about program costs and tuition when students commit to a study abroad program. Safety Concerns: Parents naturally have concerns about their child's safety and well-being in a foreign country. They want to ensure that the program and destination are safe and secure. Notably, we've seen more instances where parents personally accompany their students to their study abroad locations, ensuring their safe settlement and comfort in the new environment. Academics: Parents frequently hold a deep interest in their child's academic and career achievements. They may worry that their student could lag behind academically and not receive proper credit for courses taken abroad. Conversations regarding credits and the program's reputation overseas are quite common among parents. In certain instances, parents actively participate in Zoom advising appointments alongside their students to seek information about academic aspects during their time abroad. Emotional Support: Study abroad can be emotionally challenging, given the distance from support networks, cultural and language differences, and other challenges. We've witnessed parents playing a significant role in providing emotional support and guidance throughout the student's experience. Logistical Details: Parents frequently provide support with practical matters, including handling visa applications and making travel arrangements for their students. Even when students have access to the required resources and on-site support abroad, they instinctively reach out to their parents when facing day-to-day challenges. We often receive feedback from parents regarding these challenges, and although these inquiries are typically well-intentioned and positive, we take the opportunity to reassure parents that their students are in capable hands and are capable themselves. While some institutions and study abroad providers are actively tracking parental engagement through phone calls and emails for more accurate data, others have yet to address this trend. However, many offices and providers have implemented various strategies to engage with and support both students and their parents or guardians. Here are some ways in which study abroad offices and providers are addressing this increased parental involvement: 1. Parent Orientation Sessions: Many study abroad offices host parent orientation sessions during the pre-departure phase to inform parents about the study abroad process, safety measures, and program details, effectively managing parental expectations and concerns. 2. Website Informational Resources: Study abroad offices and providers, often provide parents with informational materials, such as brochures and guides, to help them understand the study abroad experience and available support services. Specific to Northwestern’s Global Learning Office, some resources are provided in both English and Spanish, including videos explaining the study abroad process and conversation starters for students to use with their parents. 3. Safety and Security Information: Study abroad offices, and providers, often emphasize safety and security measures by sharing relevant information with parents to reassure them about their child's well-being during the study abroad experience. 4. Collaboration: Study abroad offices collaborate with academic departments and university administrators to ensure a consistent approach to managing parental involvement and setting clear expectations for both students and parents. For example, at Northwestern, families and parents are invited to the First-Year Orientation, an in-person interaction opportunity where our office provides information about study abroad opportunities. In light of this growing trend of parental engagement, it is crucial for study abroad offices to strike a balance between supporting parents and respecting students' independence and autonomy during their study abroad experiences. Open and transparent communication remains key to effectively managing parental involvement and ensuring that students have a positive and transformative experience abroad. |
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April 2024
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