Has your son or daughter taken up the opportunity of a lifetime and decided to study abroad? Studying abroad is a transformative experience. During this time, they’ll experience growth, discover more about themselves and the world, and gain even more independence. However, for students studying abroad, it can also be a time of anxiety and intense homesickness.
As their parent, you feel a bit helpless when your son or daughter phones you from abroad in distress, and challenging to provide support from a distance.
Here are ways to offer the support they need from afar.
1. Establish and Maintain Open Lines of Communication
It’s only natural for parents to worry about their children, especially when they are miles away in a different country.
While you don’t want to overwhelm them with constant check-ins, establishing scheduled communication times can be a mutual source of comfort.
Top tips for maintaining good communication with your son or daughter when they are studying abroad:
- Use platforms like WhatsApp, Skype, and Zoom for diverse communication options. You can do quick check-ins on WhatsApp and longer, more in-depth catch-ups via Skype or Zoom.
- Schedule regular check-ins but ensure they’re not too frequent. You don’t want to become overbearing.
- Always consider time zone differences; set reminders if needed.
- Be aware of their academic and extracurricular schedule, avoiding peak study times.
- Encourage them to share both the ups and downs of their experience abroad and to send over pictures of their experiences.
- Remember, it’s okay to occasionally send surprise texts or calls to let them know you’re thinking of them.
2. Educate Yourself About Their Host Country
Demonstrate genuine interest in your child’s journey abroad by learning more about their host country.
Keeping tabs on the news and significant events of the host country provides you with insights about the environment they’re in, allowing you to converse on relevant topics and possibly alleviate any concerns that you have.
If you don’t already know, ensure that you know exactly where they are staying and have the contact details of a member of staff at the university that you can contact to check on your son or daughter if you unexpectedly lose contact, or are worried about their wellbeing.
Here are some tips on how you can immerse yourself in knowledge about your Child’s host country:
- Set aside time to research the country’s culture, customs, and traditions.
- Monitor local news sources or apps to stay updated on events or happenings.
- Discuss your findings and insights during your chats, showing genuine interest.
- Encourage your child to share unique cultural experiences, deepening your understanding.
3. Encourage their Independence
While your innate parental instinct might urge you to constantly step in and offer guidance, it’s essential to strike a balance, allowing your child the space to tackle challenges on their own.
By doing so, you’re not only showing trust in their capabilities but also strengthening their problem-solving skills.
Here are some tips for helping your son or daughter to become more independent whilst abroad:
- Promote critical thinking by asking open-ended questions when they face challenges.
- Offer tools or resources but refrain from immediately giving answers.
- Discuss financial planning basics and assist in setting up an initial budget.
- Encourage them to track their expenses, highlighting the importance of financial accountability.
- Celebrate their achievements and milestones, no matter how small.
- Remind them that mistakes are also valuable lessons, emphasising growth over perfection.
4. Be Understanding of Their Emotional Journey
Amidst this transformative phase, emotions can swing from the thrilling highs of new discoveries to the challenging lows of homesickness. As a pillar of support, it’s crucial for you to be the comforting constant amidst these fluctuations. Acknowledge their feelings without judgment; when they express longing for home, validate this sentiment, reminding them that homesickness is a universal experience and doesn’t diminish the value of their overseas adventure. On the flip side, their achievements, regardless of scale, deserve your recognition. It could be the joy in mastering a local dish, building connections, or academic accomplishments—every milestone paints a part of their broader journey, and your celebration and acknowledgement will amplify its significance in their heart.
Actionable points to acknowledge the emotional side of their journey abroad:
- Keep communication open and judgment-free, allowing them to share both the highs and lows.
- Offer comforting words and remind them that homesickness is natural and temporary.
- Celebrate every achievement, whether big or small, reinforcing their confidence.
- Share their accomplishments with family and friends, amplifying their sense of achievement.
- Remind them of their strength and resilience, especially during challenging times.
- Encourage them to document their journey, fostering reflection and growth.
5. Ensure They Have Access to Essential Services
Before they embark on their journey, or even shortly after they’ve settled, make sure they are aware of the nearest healthcare facilities and understand their health insurance coverage and its implications abroad. Emergencies, though we hope they never encounter them, are unpredictable. Arm them with a comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers, not just of friends and family but also of crucial local services, including the nearest embassy or consulate.
These preparedness measures provide peace of mind, ensuring they can face challenges head-on, knowing they have a robust support system to fall back on.:
- Research and share details of nearby healthcare facilities in their host city.
- Discuss and ensure clarity on their health insurance coverage abroad.
- Compile a comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers, both personal and official.
- Encourage them to familiarise themselves with the nearest embassy or consulate and understand its services.
- Consider having a shared digital folder with scanned copies of essential documents for easy access.
- Remind them periodically to keep these details handy, perhaps in a physical copy or saved on their phone.
6. Visit your son or daughter abroad (if Possible)
Taking the opportunity to visit them, if circumstances and finances permit, can bridge this gap in a tangible way. It’s more than just a journey to a foreign land; it’s an affirmation of your support and a chance to step into their world, understanding their daily life and the environment that’s shaping their current experiences. While the prospect of visiting is exciting, it’s essential to remember the primary purpose of their stay: education. Coordinate with them to ensure your visit aligns with their academic calendar and doesn’t disrupt crucial study times.
Action Points:
- Initiate a conversation about the possibility of a visit, ensuring they’re comfortable with the idea.
- Align your visit with their academic calendar, avoiding examination or intensive study periods.
- Plan activities that allow both relaxation and exploration, making the most of your time together.
- Allow them to take the lead, showcasing their newfound knowledge of the locale.
- Respect their autonomy during the visit, recognising they might have commitments or plans with friends.
- Document the journey with photographs and mementoes, creating a shared album of memories.
7. Encourage your son or daughter to stay focused on their employability prospects
Studying abroad offers a plethora of experiences, from cultural immersion to personal growth. However, amidst this whirlwind of adventures, it’s crucial for your son or daughter to keep an eye on the horizon—specifically, their employability prospects post-graduation.
This unique international exposure already provides them an edge, equipping them with global perspectives and adaptability skills that are highly sought after in today’s interconnected world.
Encourage them to go a step further with these tips:
- Discuss the long-term benefits of their international exposure in job interviews and applications.
- Encourage active networking within their academic institution and the local industry.
- Suggest seeking out internships or work-study programs to gain practical experience.
- Recommend attending workshops, seminars, and conferences related to their field of study.
- Stress the importance of maintaining a good academic record, as grades can influence job prospects.
- Encourage them to participate in university clubs or societies that align with their career interests.
- Remind them to document and reflect on their experiences, which can later be articulated in job interviews and applications.
Conclusion
Supporting your child while they study abroad can be a delicate balance of giving them space and ensuring their well-being. Trust in the values and skills you’ve imparted over the years and believe in their capability. With your support from afar, their study abroad experience can be a period of immense growth and lifelong memories.
Read more:
- How to Support Your Child as They Prepare for University Over the Summer
- Should I Expect My Son or Daughter to Get a Job While at University?
- How to Help Your Son or Daughter Prepare for University
- First Child Going to University: Tips and What to Expect
Featured image by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
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