Parents information

This section of the website is just for you. We know it can be worrying when your son or daughter announces that they want to study abroad, but this page aims to put your mind at ease and help you ensure that you and your child are doing everything right.

Investigating the options for study abroad

Selecting a study programme can be difficult because there are so many wonderful and exciting programmes from which to choose. Ask your child to keep the following questions in mind as they make their selection:

• Do I want to travel to one area or to many areas during my time abroad?
• Do I want to study in a large city or a more rural area?
• What time of year do I want to go abroad? How long do I want to go abroad for?
• Does my current school have any restrictions on when I can go and for how long?
• How long do I want to be abroad?
• What is the programme going to cost? Can I afford this programme?
• Does this programme offer courses that will enhance and be counted towards my chosen major/minor?
• What do I most want to get out of the experience?
• Are there any foreign language considerations I need to be concerned about?
• Would I prefer to live on campus in a dorm with other students or with a local family?
• Will I be able to adjust in a country with very different cultural and culinary customs?
• Do I have any special needs and can they be met?

This list will help you talk to your child about finding the right study abroad experience and identify some of the practical matters both you and they will have to consider.

Financial matters

The cost of studying abroad varies greatly depending on the country and university you choose. It is important to start researching these costs, and the availability of any financial aid and scholarships, early on. When considering the cost, you need to take into account:

• Tuition fees
• Housing and food
• Additional expenses

Information on the cost of studying in different countries, average monthly expenditure and work opportunities for students can be found on the “Finance” and “Work opportunities during study” pages. A lot of useful information can also be found on the “Where to study?” page and in country and individual university descriptions.

Before departure

When your child receives their letter of acceptance, it is time to start preparing for departure. It is probably a very sensitive moment, but bear in mind that we live in the twenty-first century; programmes such as Skype and Facebook will allow you to talk to your child for free every day, and flight tickets are cheaper than ever before.

Before your child packs their luggage and leaves, you should discuss with them their financial, social and academic responsibilities; he or she must know that you expect the same from them abroad as you would in their home country. However, they also need to understand that you trust and support them, and that you want them to make the most of this opportunity.

While studying abroad

Students abroad can take a while to settle; you might receive an excited phone call one day, but a sad letter on another day. Getting used to the new way of life can sometimes be difficult, but this is usually just a matter of time. Families should understand that this is a normal phenomenon and continue to offer encouragement. Most universities have support networks in place for international students and do their best to help them integrate quickly and smoothly into the academic environment and to feel welcome.

If you have any questions, you can always get in touch with the DESK team – we are willing to advise you and help resolve any issues related to studying abroad. Get in touch with us to talk with someone who has already studied abroad. We can also tell you how much things really cost and advise on ways to save money on the ground.

What makes DESK different?

• We offer an ongoing service which starts prior to application and continues with mentoring while abroad.

• DESK has a transparent and comprehensive charging system – there are no hidden costs. The service fee goes to maintain the portal and provide even more online resources.

• Freedom of course selection allows your child to mix and match courses to meet their requirements and interests.