How to Support Your Student
Study Abroad can require a team effort to ensure the student’s success. Some aspects of the study abroad process may benefit from more family and friends’ involvement than others. For example, students may need more support with selecting a program, working out budgets, and applying for a student visa during the pre-departure period. While abroad, a student may experience homesickness for familiar customs and culture. Upon returning from abroad, expectations may be high for friends and experiences to be as remembered when, in fact, not only is the student changed from living abroad, their friends may have changed during their absence as well. Talking with the student about their academic, personal, and location desires is an excellent starting point. All students complete a Global Education Information Session and meet with Global Education staff member(s) and other academic advisors to discuss their goals and, together, determine a short list of program options. Students then follow the application process for approval from CMC to study abroad and complete a separate program provider application for acceptance into their host program. Applications are very straight-forward and don’t tend to require a copious amount of time. Application deadlines and eligibility requirements should be noted, however, to ensure acceptance for their preferred program.
Post-Decision Forms and Planning: After approval to study abroad from CMC and acceptance into their program by their program provider, students will have additional forms and contracts to complete. Detailed information will be provided to the student through email from both CGE and their program provider. Detailed pre-departure information including flight arrival times, academic calendar, what to pack, safety in the host city and country, etc. is available in your student’s acceptance and pre-arrival information from their program provider. Timing and deadlines are very important to ensure continued approval and acceptance for study abroad. Encouraging your student to meet their required deadlines is an important way to support your student.
Passport and Student Visa: For many countries, the student visa application process has been the most stressful requirement of study abroad. Please see the Passport and Student Visa section (LINK) for more information. While the visa process may be daunting, both CGE staff and the program providers are extremely adept at guiding the students through the visa checklist. Families and friends can support the student by urging them to monitor their email and their program portal and to start the process immediately upon receipt of their student visa guide from the program provider.
Cultural Adaptation
Students abroad may experience extreme highs and lows as their semester unfolds. Much like their first semester at CMC, and especially after the initial excitement wanes, nuanced changes in academic rigor, teaching methodology, language barriers, and culture may cause the student to be homesick or discouraged. Encourage your student to reach out to their on-site support team for guidance and encouragement. CGE has a close relationship with each program and we know the on-site staff have the skills and resources to support the student. Sometimes it may only take an on-site staff member to recommend a restaurant with “familiar” food or a discussion about the academic professor or assignment in question to alleviate the challenging feelings. Students may always reach out to us for a Zoom or telephone meeting as well.
Safety Abroad
What We Do: The safety of our students is of utmost importance to us. Prior to departure, all students receive a pre-departure session including health and safety abroad. In addition, we monitor the U.S. Department of State websites closely and we receive frequent updates from our students’ program providers who are in constant contact with their resident directors abroad. Students with U.S. citizenship are always advised to register with the U.S. Embassy in the host country to assist in ongoing safety. Non-U.S. citizens are advised to register with their home country embassy in the country of study, if possible. Additionally, the abroad program monitors local conditions and may restrict travel should they deem it necessary based upon situations and events.
What You Can Do: Despite all precautions, there is inherent risk in all travel. Total safety cannot be guaranteed abroad any more than it can be guaranteed while on campus or at home. In spite of this, we continue to do whatever we can to maximize the safety of those participating in our programs. We encourage you to talk with your student regarding your concerns and the student's plans for avoiding risks while abroad. A safe and enjoyable experience abroad is not based solely on the factors listed above. A student’s safety also depends on his or her behavior while abroad. If the student's physical or mental health may be placed in jeopardy by being away from current support systems, you may want to have a thoughtful discussion with the student about creating some pre-departure plans and options for the upcoming semester. The Claremont Colleges International Travel Insurance provided by CMC as well as the program provider's health insurance include not only physical but mental health support as well.
Many students find coming home to be a surprisingly emotional experience as they readjust to their home culture or CMC. Expectations to reconnect with friends and resume relationships exactly as they left are not possible. Neither the returning student nor their friends are the same people. Students may experience boredom or disenchantment with what they previously found fun or exciting. These feelings, while extremely normal, may be difficult to navigate. To ameliorate this, we encourage our students to connect with us, formally or otherwise, and share their experiences. We want to hear them! Additionally, CGE hosts events for returning students to facilitate dialogue and connection. Finally, the Dean of Students team, Student Health Services, Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, study abroad alumni, and student peers are valuable resources.