Resources For Parents
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About Our Programs
In order to ensure that RIT students have access to the best possible experiences abroad, RIT offers several different types of study abroad program options including: Global Campus, Faculty-Led, Affiliate and Exchange programs.
The best way for your student to familiarize themselves with the variety of study abroad opportunities offered at RIT is to utilize all of the resources available on our website.
Learn more about types of programs and selecting a program
Checklist for Parents
Study abroad is a great opportunity for personal growth, developing maturity, independence, and problem solving skills. Part of this growth begins with the logistical planning for studying abroad. We recognize that as a parent, you may feel compelled to manage your student's travel planning from booking flights to applying for a visa, but we encourage you to support your student to take the lead.
There are a few things, however, that you should take care of:
- Apply for a passport: Even if you don't plan on visiting your student while they are abroad, you should have a valid passport in case of an emergency.
- Save program information: Know the name, location, and details of the program that your student is participating in by bookmarking the program website and having the program contacts in your phone.
- Review the health and travel insurance options with your student.
- Acquire travel itineraries from your student: Know the flight, lodging, and program excursion information.
- Make copies of important documents: Keep a copy of your student's passport, visa (if applicable), credit cards, and other important documents.
- Make a communication plan with your student: Make a plan for the first contact when your student arrives abroad as well as your general check-in plan while your student is on their program.
Funding Study Abroad
We recognize that funding is one of the most important factors in study abroad decision making. Often, it is assumed that studying abroad is cost prohibitive or more expensive than studying at RIT. However, study abroad program costs vary dramatically due to length, number of courses, location, etc. and it is important that students get all information in order to make an informed decision.
Grades and Credits
The type of study abroad program your student is going on will affect how their grade is calculated.
Learn more about registration for classes, grades, and credits
Health Abroad
Study abroad, as with any major life change (regardless of length of time, location, etc.), can heighten pre-existing medical, mental health, or personal issues or contribute to new ones. Local culture, customs, and practices may not have/provide the support systems you might be accustomed to in the U.S. It is very important for students to consider how they will manage their health and wellness abroad.
If your student requires medical attention while abroad, they can work with our in-country partners or staff to identify English speaking providers, set up transportation and manage follow up such as obtaining prescriptions.
Safety Abroad
All of our programs are thoroughly vetted by RIT's Risk Management office to ensure that appropriate safety and security practices are in place. They are also reviewed regularly if changes are made or programs may be temporarily suspended as situations evolve in other countries. At the mandatory Bon Voyage meeting, we will have important conversations with students about safety abroad. We will cover topics such as drugs and alcohol, local laws, transportation, advice for women travelers, etc. When students arrive in-country, they will attend a mandatory orientation which will more specifically address safety strategies. Every program has residence directors or other program personnel on-site and will provide students with emergency contact information. We also encourage students to contact RIT Public Safety 24/7 in case of an emergency at 585-475-3333. RIT Public Safety will engage any of the necessary staff at RIT to assist students.
Gather all of the information you and your student might need while they are away. Keep one copy for yourself at home and make sure your student keeps a copy with them while abroad:
- Insurance cards (front and back)
- Debit/credit cards (front and back)
- Photo page of passport and visa pages
- ID cards (front and back)
- Emergency contact information
All students have signed a FERPA waiver which allows us to communicate with parents in case of an emergency. It is wise for you to have a valid passport in case you need to travel out of the country in case of a student emergency.
Insurance
All students going abroad will be covered by health insurance (minor medical issues, doctor visits, etc.) and emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance (evacuation and major emergency medical services). This insurance is provided either through the student's affiliate program provider or RIT's insurance company, On Call International. Students will be provided a copy of their health insurance cards either by the affiliate provider or the Education Abroad office. Students may be required to make a payment for medical services up front, so be sure that your student has access to emergency funds. Your student may then submit a claim for reimbursement.
Student Conduct While Abroad
While abroad, students are ambassadors of RIT and the U.S. and we expect them to make decisions as such. RIT students abroad are governed by RIT's Student Code of Conduct as well as the conduct policies of the affiliate provider programs they are participating in. Incidents abroad will be reported and addressed by in-country program providers as well as RIT. In extreme cases, it may be decided that your student must discontinue their study abroad program and they will be sent home at their own expense.
Practical Preparations
Passports and Visas
Your student should ensure their passport and any required visas are in order prior to travel. Most program providers will have at least basic information regarding entry requirements for U.S. citizen to the country where your student will be traveling. Students will also need to renew their passports prior to traveling if their return date is within six months of their passport's expiration date. Document processing can take a while, so students should start this process as soon as they have decided to go abroad.
Learn more about passport and visa requirements
Accessing Money
Decide with your student the best way for them to access money for everyday needs, as well as emergency situations. Because students will not be in country long, most students refrain from getting an in-country bank account. Typically students use an ATM/Debit card and a credit card for emergencies. It is important to check with your bank to ask how or if its ATM card will work abroad and what extra fees may apply. In addition, discussing a budget with your student will ensure that their spending stays on track.
It is also important that your student inform their bank and credit card companies when and where they will be traveling. If students neglect to do this, the bank may suspect that the overseas charges are fraudulent and may freeze the account without warning.
Also, students should arrange for payment of any monthly bills they have back at home. Car payments, loan payments and other monthly bills will continue to be due while they are abroad, so they will need to make sure these are being paid.
Learn more about money management
Travel Planning
Once your student has been accepted into their chosen program, it is a good idea for them to look for flights right away - the earlier they book, the better the price will be. Some affiliate providers may offer group flights for their programs. Be sure to check for any flight options offered through the program provider before booking flights.
Students should review the regulations regarding the amount, type and size of luggage that can be carried on their chosen airline. Students should pack lightly and remember that they will be able to do laundry abroad.
Keeping in Touch
Have a telephone number where you can reach your student and know the times they are likely to be available. If your student wishes to get an international cell phone while abroad, it is best to research cell phone options in the country where your student will be studying. Some study abroad program providers also offer cell phone options, so be sure to check with them prior to planning. There are also internet phone options such as Skype or FaceTime that are worth researching.
Usually, the very first effort to contact a student after they have gone abroad is the most challenging. Students and parents are hit with the reality that they will be gone for an extended period of time. If you have not made arrangements in advance of when you might first communicate with your student, it can be a nerve-wracking wait. Keep in mind that when a student arrives at their destination, they will be jetlagged, focused on trying to locate their luggage and where they will be staying, and they will most likely have a few days of orientation for their new program. They may also have to wait until they have Wi-Fi to be able to message you at first. Before they depart, you should make a plan with your student about when that first call, message or email will occur, so you will both know what to expect.
Identity Abroad
When going abroad, your student will be navigating a new culture with different behaviors, norms and values. It is likely that they will experience culture shock, as well as the negative and positive feelings of facing these differences at some point in their journey. We prepare students to expect this and encourage strategies to cope with these feelings.
We also encourage students to consider their diverse identities and how they may be perceived in their new culture. To help your student have the best experience possible, we encourage you to have a candid conversation about this with your student in preparation for going abroad. We suggest that your student do research on their host culture, and their current and historic attitudes toward people with similar identities. It is also important to help your student identify people abroad and at home who they trust to be part of their support network.
Here are some resources for you and your student:
- Diversity Abroad - destination guides, blogs and other resources for students
- Mobility International - resources for students with disability participating in international exchange