Parent and Family Resources
Sending Your Student Abroad
We are very excited to be working with your student as they embark on the journey of a lifetime. You play an integral role in helping your student to think globally and in preparing your student for success abroad.
Please review the parent and family videos and resources below.
Videos for Parents & Families
These quick, 5-minute videos are created specifically for parents and families of students studying abroad. Topics include application requirements and timelines, money matters, health and safety abroad, pre-departure orientations, and while-abroad support.
Before They Depart
Encourage your student to take the lead in this process! Researching destinations, program and course options, study abroad application requirements and more helps students to take early initiative in shaping their experience abroad. Your student may have already met with a Peer Ambassador or Global Programs Coordinator regarding possible programs, and they have likely already spoken to friends about possibilities. Encourage them to share this information with you!
“Each time you try something for the first time you will grow-a little piece of the fear of the unknown is removed and replaced with a sense of empowerment.” -Annette White
Considerations:
- Selecting a Program - How well does the program fit your student's course requirements, language level, personal, and professional needs?
- Identify goals - Help your student reflect on their desired outcomes for their experience. Encourage them to keep a journal or blog to track their progress, thoughts, and experiences.
- Finances - Depending on the program type your student is looking at, the way that they will pay for a term abroad can vary. Encourage them to discuss this information with you and to speak with the Financial Aid Office. There are also frequently different scholarship options available to students which they can pursue either through their program itself or through the Global Engagement Office.
- Health and Safety - Your student's well-being is of primary importance. Be sure to check the U.S. Department of State's website as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site to be aware of any conditions that may present concern in your student's desired location of travel. Some risk is always present, but being well-informed about possible situations that could arise will help keep your student safe during their sojourn.
While Abroad
It is equally as important for parents, families, and loved ones at home to adjust expectations of what a new "normal" will be for communicating with your student while abroad. Remember, they are adjusting a different time zone, culture, language, academic schedule, and more.
“Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end…because in the end, it shows you a whole new world.” -Manoj Arora
Considerations:
- Communication - Decide in advance how often your student should email or call home. If possible, schedule weekly phone calls that are convenient for you and your student. Daily calls or messages may be difficult for them, especially due to time differences. Excessive contact with home can lead to homesickness and can also hinder study abroad participants from achieving a higher degree of immersion in the host culture. During the "settling in" period, your student may want to call to express frustration with some of their new surroundings.This is very typical, and most often students just want an understanding ear.
- WhatsApp is a popular messaging app used worldwide. It may be a convenient way to stay in touch with your student while abroad.
- Stay Informed - Stay in-the-know about security precautions and conditions in your student's location. You can stay informed through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) thorugh the U.S. Department of State
- Check their Blog - If students are keeping a blog while abroad (highly encouraged!) be sure to check it as this is an easy way to keep up with their experience without interfering too much with their acquisition into the new culture.
Upon Return from Abroad
Your student is home! Whether they are moving back home, into the dorms on Creighton's campus, or other, there is a lot to do! There will likely be an adjustment period of re-entry along the way.
“It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realized what’s changed is you.”-F. Scott Fitzgerald
Considerations:
- Reverse Culture Shock - Students almost always experience some form of reverse culture shock, in which they must become re-accustomed to living in the United States. Creighton University GEO hosts a study abroad returnee event each Spring for students to gather to discuss how this shock has affected them, as well as to get tips for integrating their experience back on campus and in their future job searches.
- Show Enthusiasm - It is important for your student to be able to share their sojourn with you! Encourage them to show pictures, tell stories, and help them keep the experience alive.
- Resolve Pending Course Approvals - If your student took any courses abroad which were not pre-approved by Creighton, remind them to e-mail the Global Programs Coordinator (studyabroadadvisor@creighton.edu) to finalize approvals and avoid a delay in posting their grades.
- Transcripts - Avoid opening transcripts that come from your student's host institution; these must be sent unopened to the Global Engagement Office for processing if they were mistakenly sent to your student.
Alex's Experience in Rome
Nursing student Alex Kula spent a semester in Rome, Italy, where she not only took classes but also immersed herself in the rich Italian culture. Alex notes how the Creighton community supported her throughout the entire process, from setting up housing for the spring semester to ensuring her transcripts were correctly transferred. “They were super helpful and made my stress levels a lot lower,” she says.
The best way to assist your student with pre-departure preparations is to become informed, but encourage your student to take personal responsibility for their upcoming experience. They will need this sense of responsibility and independence while abroad, so there is no better time to start than now! Let them contact the program provider if they have questions and be sure to make them responsible for any routine program matters including packing, making travel arrangements, submitting forms, and other logistical responsibilities.
Immunization information can be found online at The Center for Disease Control website. Students are also required to schedule a travel consultation with Creighton Student Health or their home provider before departure.
When traveling outside of the United States a valid passport is required. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months (at minimum) after the end of the program abroad. It is the responsibility of each study abroad student to obtain the visa, if required, from the embassy or nearest consulate of the host country. Obtaining a visa may take only a few weeks or as long as a few months, so plan accordingly. Keep in mind that your student may be required to apply for and/or pick up the visa in person at the consulate. To find out if your student needs a visa for their travels and how to apply, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.
As a part of the Creighton Global Travel Security Program, all study summer, semester, and full-year abroad students are enrolled in Creighton’s travel insurance for international activity through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Minimum international health insurance offered through this card covers medical evacuation, family airfare expense, and repatriation of remains. This policy does not replace Creighton’s student insurance; it supplements and covers critical needs your student might have when away from campus.
Study abroad students should exchange a small amount of U.S. money for the currency of the host country before departure. This way, they will have some currency to pay for a bus, taxi, food, telephone, etc. upon arrival. It is a good idea for your student to carry a major credit card (VISA, Mastercard) while abroad. Make sure to keep credit card numbers and the toll-free assistance numbers separate from the cards. Your student should be able to use an ATM card in most countries. This is generally the most convenient way to access funds, but make sure to check with your bank for information on international withdrawal fees.
Visiting your student abroad can be a very rewarding experience for you and them. It is best to plan to visit after the program has ended rather than during classes, so that they will have more time to show you around. Make sure to get a passport for your travels and remember that it may take 8-10 weeks for processing. Even if you do not plan to visit your student abroad, it is a good idea to get a passport so that you can get to them in the event of an emergency.
Study abroad students are required to complete Course Approvals on their Jays Abroad Portal prior to applying directly to a study abroad program. (NOTE: Encuentro Dominicano and Faculty-Led Program participants are not required to complete this). In order to complete their course approvals, the student must meet with a variety of campus departments to discuss their course selections and the possible equivalencies at Creighton University. Course equivalencies and credit transfer will be determined upon receipt of an official transcript from the host institution. Upon completion of a study abroad program, academic transcripts should be sent to the Global Engagement Office (GEO) at Creighton University.
It is likely that your student will need to register for courses at Creighton for the term following their study abroad experience. Study abroad students will receive their PIN and registration times via their Creighton email account. Students are responsible for registering at the designated time. If a student has a scheduling conflict or does not have access to internet, they should speak with their Academic Advisor. Students are encouraged to discuss course options and their four-year plans with their academic advisor prior to departure.
