Parent and Family Resources

Sending Your Student Abroad

We are excited to partner with you as your student embarks on a study abroad experience. Parents and families play an important role in helping students think globally and prepare for success abroad. This page is designed to provide guidance, answer common questions and share resources that can help you support your student before departure, while they are abroad and upon their return.

Study Abroad Video Guides

These short, five-minute videos are designed specifically for parents and families of students studying abroad. Topics include application requirements and timelines, financial considerations, health and safety abroad, pre-departure orientations and support while students are abroad.

Providing Support at Every Stage

Parents and families play an important role in supporting students before, during and after their study abroad experience. The considerations and resources below are designed to help you understand what to expect at each stage—and how to offer encouragement and guidance while allowing your student to take the lead.

Study Abroad Resources

Before Departure

 

While Abroad

 

Upon Return

 
Close

Before Departure

U.S. Department of State Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Encourage your student to take the lead in the planning process and share their decisions with you. By researching destinations, program and course options, and study abroad application requirements, students begin shaping an experience that aligns with their academic and personal goals. Your student may have already met with a peer ambassador or global programs coordinator to explore possible programs.

Key considerations

  • Program selection: How well does the program fit your student’s course requirements, language level, and personal and professional goals?
  • Goal setting: Help your student reflect on their desired outcomes for their experience. Suggest keeping a journal or blog to track their progress, insights and experiences.
  • Finances: Depending on the program type your student is considering, the way they pay for a term abroad can vary. Encourage them to discuss costs with you and to speak with the Financial Aid Office. Students may also be eligible for scholarships through their program or the Global Engagement Office.
  • Health and safety: Your student’s well-being is a primary concern. Review information from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to understand conditions that may affect their destination. While some level of risk is always present, staying informed helps students prepare and make safer decisions.
U.S. Department of State Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Close

While Abroad

WhatsApp MessagingWorld Time Zone Map

It’s helpful for parents, families and loved ones at home to adjust expectations around communication while a student is abroad. Students are often navigating a different time zone, culture, language and academic schedule, which can affect how and when they stay in touch.

Key considerations

  • Communication: Talk with your student in advance about how often you’ll communicate and which methods work best, whether that’s phone, email or a messaging app such as WhatsApp, which is widely used internationally. Weekly check-ins are often more realistic than daily contact, particularly across time zones. As students adjust, they may share moments of frustration about their new surroundings; this is common, and listening supportively can be more helpful than problem-solving.
  • Security: Stay informed about safety conditions in your student’s location. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the U.S. Department of State allows travelers to receive important updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact them in an emergency.
  • Blogging: Creighton encourages students to keep a blog during their time abroad to reflect on their experience and share it with family and friends. Following your student’s blog can be a meaningful way to stay connected without interrupting their immersion.
WhatsApp MessagingWorld Time Zone Map
Close

Upon Return

How to Deal with Reverse Culture ShockCreighton Resources for Returning Students

When students return from studying abroad, there is often a period of readjustment—whether they are moving back home or returning to campus housing. Along with practical tasks, both students and families may notice some level of friction as students reintegrate into daily life at home and on campus.

Key considerations

  • Reverse culture shock: Many students experience some form of reverse culture shock as they re-acclimate to life in the United States. Creighton University hosts a study abroad returnee event each spring, offering students a space to reflect on their experience, share insights with peers, and explore ways to integrate their global learning into academics and future career plans.
  • Storytelling: Sharing stories is an important part of processing a study abroad experience. Encourage your student to reflect through conversation, photos, or other creative outlets that help them make meaning of their time abroad and keep the experience present in everyday life.
  • Course approvals: If your student completed courses abroad that were not pre-approved, remind them to contact their study abroad advisor to finalize approvals and avoid delays in posting grades.
  • Transcripts: Your student’s host institution should send official transcripts to Creighton. If they are mistakenly sent to you or your student, do not open them. Official transcripts must be forwarded unopened to the Global Engagement Office for processing.
How to Deal with Reverse Culture ShockCreighton Resources for Returning Students

“Words cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for this opportunity …I will forever be reminded of the helping hands of Los Cerezos and the importance of serving and caring for our community members. Not only will I constantly reflect about this trip, but it revealed my purpose to serve my community and continue to work towards joining this program as a healthcare professional.”

Abbi

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should I assist my student with predeparture preparations?

The best way to support your student is to stay informed while encouraging them to take personal responsibility for their upcoming experience. Developing independence before departure helps prepare students for life abroad. Students should contact the program provider directly with questions and take ownership of managing routine matters such as packing, travel arrangements, forms and other logistical or administrative tasks.

How do I find out which immunizations or vaccinations are required?

Immunization information is at the Center for Disease Control website. Students are also required to schedule a travel consultation with Creighton Student Health or their home health care provider before departure.

Which travel documents does my student need?

When traveling outside the United States, a valid passport is required. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of the study abroad program.

If required, students must also obtain a visa from the embassy or nearest consulate of the host country. Visa processing timelines vary and can take several weeks—or, in some cases, a few months—so it’s important to plan accordingly. Students may also be required to apply for and/or collect a visa in person. To determine whether a visa is required and how to apply, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Should I purchase international insurance for my student?

As a part of the Creighton Global Travel Security Program, all summer, semester, and full-year study abroad students are enrolled in international travel insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This coverage includes benefits such as medical evacuation, family airfare expenses and repatriation of remains. The CISI policy supplements Creighton’s student insurance and helps cover critical needs students may have while away from campus.

What is the best way for my student to access money while abroad?

Students should exchange a small amount of U.S. currency for the host country’s currency before departure to cover immediate expenses upon arrival. It is also a good idea for your student to carry a major credit card and to keep card numbers and toll-free assistance numbers documented separately from the cards. In most countries, students can use an ATM card to access funds. This is often the most convenient option, but students should check with their bank in advance about international withdrawal fees.

Should I visit my student in their host country?

Visiting your student abroad can be a rewarding experience for both you and your student. If you plan to visit, it is best to do so after the program has ended rather than during the academic term, when your student may have limited time due to classes.

Even if you do not plan to visit, it is a good idea to have a valid passport—or to ensure the one you have is current—so you are able to travel if an emergency arises. Passport processing can take up to 10 weeks, so advance planning is recommended.

Will my student receive academic credit for the courses taken abroad?

Study abroad students are required to complete course approvals in their Jays Abroad portal prior to applying directly to a study abroad program. (Encuentro Dominicano and Faculty-Led Programs do not require this step.) To complete course approvals, students must meet with relevant campus departments to discuss course selections and possible equivalencies at Creighton University. Course equivalencies and credit transfer are determined upon receipt of an official transcript, which the host institution should send directly to Creighton’s Global Engagement Office (GEO).

How will my student register for courses after they return?

Students will likely need to register for courses at Creighton for the term following their study abroad experience. Study abroad students receive their PIN and registration time via their Creighton email account and are responsible for registering at the designated time. If a student has a scheduling conflict or does not have internet access, they should contact their academic advisor. Students are encouraged to discuss course options and their four-year plans with their advisor prior to departure.

Contact Us

Study Abroad Advisors 
Phone: 402.280.2221 
Fax: 402.280.2211 

Office: 
Creighton Hall 
Global Engagement Office 
Suite 324, Third Floor

Close SidebarClose Sidebar