What Parents Need to be Aware about Pursuing Higher Studies Abroad?
Although it can be one of the most painful decisions of sending your children to pursue higher studies from abroad but at the same time, it is an amazing opportunity and adventure for both you and your child as it will help them to know more about the world and themselves apart from the normal classroom training.
Moreover, parents should be prepared for all the lows and highs which they and their children might come across through their journey while pursuing higher studies from abroad.
Why Parents should allow their children to pursue studies from abroad?
Pursuing studies in abroad is an opportunity which will leave a strong impact all their lives which will be beyond career and academics as it will widen their horizon to understand the hurdles of lives more accurately, creating an open mindset to understand day to day obstacles, various cultures, different experiences and creating global friendships.
Moving ahead, there are several advantages of pursuing studies abroad but it comes with a lot of risks and nervousness that are experienced by parents throughout the duration till their children are in the new country.
But however, looking on the positive aspect, it is extremely important to understand that study abroad is quite beneficial for your child’s development and it helps students to come with better solutions to all the obstacles they might face in their career in the near future.
Besides, when you have all the necessary information about which country to choose, the university and about the program then you are more likely to feel comfortable with the idea of study abroad. This will help parents to stand as a strong support system for their children on this life-changing experience.
In today’s world, when it is extremely convenient to stay connected with each other through various means, pursuing studies in abroad provide aspirants a better opportunity to acquire skills that will not only benefit them professionally, but also personally.
As parents if you are anxious of allowing your children to go abroad then it is always advisable to look on the brighter side and the positive factors that your children might get to experience throughout their duration of program and they will emerge as an extremely confident individual all their lives.
ADVANTAGES OF STUDY ABROAD
Educating real-life skills that are different from traditional learning: In today’s world, the two skills that the professional career need are cultural awareness and second language proficiency. So, study abroad provide aspirants with both the skills which can prepare them in today’s competitive job market.
Proficiency in a second language: Staying in another country means experiencing a new language, how it is actually spoken for example, the local idioms and dialects, the facial expressions and the body language that a language book cannot teach. Learning German for a few hours a week at home will not give the same results as would living in Germany for a semester. Complete involvement is the way to language fluency.
Creating Connections and Global Friendships: The best part about pursuing studies abroad is that it leads to global friendships and new connections. Moreover, some of these friendships continue even after students return home. Global friendships provide an exciting international experience for both host families and foreign students and teachers who are from the same field which can greatly widen their global, professional network.
Builds Confidence and Independence: Figuring out a new subway system, adapting to new culture shock and trying bizarre foods are all part of the experience. Moving ahead, aspirants return to their country with a much more developed self-confidence with regards to their capabilities towards problem solving and adapting new challenges in life.
How can Parents assure their children’s safety while they are in abroad?
Factors to keep in Mind in order to Prepare Well for your Child’s Safer Stay in Abroad:
- Multiple Visa Entry: At times, there might be some instances wherein an aspirant can feel too homesick and may be experiencing severe difficulty while staying in the new country. So, during this time parents are advised that instead of de-motivating children they should help them overcome them. This could be done by letting them travel back home at least twice during a year, obviously if they can afford. During such time, Multiple Visa entry will be quite helpful.
- In-depth information about the Host Country: Exploring more and more about the culture, traditions, customs, local laws and embassy locations, will make parents feel more comfortable. In order to know a particular country’s health information, travel advice, safety tips and current travel warnings always check on their websites.
- Be Aware of your Child’s Medical History: Always be informed about your child’s and your family's medical history. In case of emergencies, prepare a medical document for them to carry along to the new country, in their official language with all the required information such as allergies, medications, history, etc. If before going to a new country, your child takes medications, make sure they have enough of their prescriptions.
- Teach Children handling of Valuables and Money: This is the most important life lesson which should be taught early in life when they start socialising with friends. Money snatching can happen anywhere, so it is always advisable to be extra-cautious in crowded areas. Advice your children to always carry small amount of cash whenever they go out and keep the rest in the account. Always make digital payments as it is more convenient to keep a tab on your savings.
- Always keep Backups Handy: Parents are advised to keep backup copies of your children’s passport saved on your computer or in Google drive. In some cases, if their children have lost their purse, then they should know how to block the debit cards and always keep an emergency credit/debit card separate from their wallet.
How can I stay in touch with my child during the duration of their study abroad?
- up a Different Time Zone:
- Keep in Touch without creating Hurdles:
- Know about their Room Mates and New Friends:
Be aware of the time zone of the new country and connectivity issues especially if your children are travelling to a developing nation.
Always fix a schedule and ensure that it works for both you and your child. Initially in the beginning they may not set a schedule for the first couple of weeks so try to be flexible. But however, make sure that you don’t go too long without having a word from them. Life in abroad is full of new experiences and children often get too busy with their new lives which parents should understand.
Parents should be aware about who their children’s room mates are and all about their family background. This will help them know more about their children’s new company and new friends in a foreign country.
Parents are also advised to develop a great rapport with their children’s room mates as during emergency in case their child is not calling or not answering a call, they can often call their friends.
Applications for Long Distance Communication
- WhatsApp: It is a phone application which allows you to send messages to other phones who also use this application. This App works internationally and with unlimited SMS service. It is the best and the most convenient way to stay connected to your child.
- Zoom: During the pandemic, the world was introduced to this latest App in order to stay connected with each other and everyone is familiar with the video-chatting app, Zoom. This App is a great resource for catching up with people across the world and the most convenient way for people to share their travels.
- Facebook: This App is also one of the best ways to keep in touch with your child during their stay in the new country through its calling and messenger features. In order to utilise this App parents can download "Facebook Messenger App" so that they can keep a tab on their children’s social activities.
How can Parents welcome their Child back home?
Parents are advised to take a keen interest about their child’s post-trip academic requirements, in case they want to proceed further studies.
Moving ahead, be aware of the reverse culture shock, which is basically the feeling of coming back to your motherland and realizing that you cannot adjust in your home country anymore after adapting the new culture.
It is advisable for parents to keep patience with their children’s urge of using foreign slang or the new culture they have adapted. Also, parents should understand if their children want to travel again soon after they are back from their study destination.
Apart from all this, be inquisitive about their stay in the new country and ask them questions. Although your children might hesitate to share every detail with you but they be grateful forever that you supported them through the most important journey of their lives.
Moreover, without parent’s support children will get de-motivated and they might loose confidence. So, it is completely on the parent’s way of handling things appropriately when their child is away to a new country for pursuing studies and making a career.
Apart from this, parents and children both need to manage it well and deal with the hurdles that come their way effectively and confidently.