Letter from the Director

Dear Parents:

Perhaps your son or daughter has just called with the exciting news that he or she is thinking about study abroad. As a parent of college students myself, I know just how many questions may be racing through your head as you listen to your son or daughter. Study abroad is a life-changing experience for families, as well as for students, and your questions may well be different from those of your student.

Let's talk about study abroad. At Puget Sound we believe that study abroad should form an integral part of a student's academic career, so our programs have been carefully selected and approved to complement your student's campus learning. Study abroad is not only an opportunity for students to earn academic credit towards their degree while living in another country it is also a powerful tool towards appreciating and understanding other cultures by living and learning as a member of that culture. These life experiences cannot be replicated in a classroom. Study abroad students are not just ambassadors for the university and the United States during the time they are studying abroad. Many of them may go on to hold influential positions in business or government, making decisions that will impact all of us. Study abroad therefore is not a trip abroad, or travel abroad, to decide to do on the spur of the moment, it is arguably one of the most important stages in the personal and academic growth of your student.

Given this, we ask our students to take full responsibility for selecting, planning and applying for a study abroad program by visiting our office, having an advising session with our staff and gathering materials to bring home to share with you. We know that parental support is very important, so do join us in encouraging your student's academic and personal growth by learning more about the wide range of programs and services we offer.

I invite you to review the information about study abroad to become familiar with the academic quality of the programs and our policies and procedures. The International Programs staff are always happy to answer your questions, so please do contact us.

Sincerely,

Jannie Meisberger
Director, International Programs

Throughout the study abroad process, I send out letters to parents, samples of which are listed below:
Parent letter: students applying
Parent letter: returning students