Letter to Parents of Applying Students

Dear Parent,

Although students going on University of Puget Sound study abroad programs are themselves responsible for all aspects of preparation, participation and completion of their program, the university strongly encourages students to keep their parents fully informed throughout the application process, so that there are no unpleasant surprises just as students board the plane. I hope that this letter will not only answer some of the questions you may have but will also stimulate detailed discussion between you and your student about the program, and readiness for this academic and cultural experience.

Most parents are concerned about costs, credit transfer, graduation on time, health and safety, insurance coverage, necessary forms and documents (passport, visa, power of attorney, etc). Your student will be receiving information from the program once accepted and has already received information from my office regarding self-preparation and procedures to be completed for Puget Sound prior to departure. I have enclosed an advisory to students planning to study in high-risk areas with some of these useful informational sheets for you to review as you prepare as a family for the overseas sojourn. Please note particularly the advisory regarding study in high-risk areas as well as the financial differences between a UPS-sponsored/partner and approved programs.

Many programs do provide site-specific handbooks for students, and many provide handbooks for parents as well. Parents have found these particularly helpful, since contact names, phone numbers and addresses are provided if further questions arise while their son or daughter is overseas. We do conduct a mandatory all-day pre-departure session each semester for all students going to study abroad, which covers many of the general questions students have.

The University of Puget Sound is particularly aware of the differences in support services available overseas. As you may know, the support services that colleges and universities around the world provide can vary greatly. Student affairs offices – as known and appreciated at Puget Sound and other US colleges – are rarely found to exist abroad in as full a capacity. Consequently, it is important that students and families be honest in appraising whether or not particular needs can be adequately met overseas.

It is always best to alert the Puget Sound International Programs staff and the staff of the study abroad program of any issues and concerns (i.e., medical, psychological, learning disability, etc) well before departure, so that the best possible arrangements can be made to accommodate your student. Please be assured that this information is not used as a means to screen a student out of a program. Rather, it is a vital step in ensuring that the program is ready and able to provide the student with the best possible experience. Equally important, it is a valuable step for the student and family to undertake to ensure the greatest possibility for a successful study abroad experience.

Academic systems overseas are often very different to the Puget Sound system. In many countries the responsibility for learning rests entirely on the shoulders of the student, who may not be provided with a detailed syllabus, graded weekly assignments, or continuous assessment, as is customary in US universities. Often the entire grade is based on one final examination that covers the entire semesters' or full year's work. Some students find the challenge overwhelming and complain that the faculty are not teaching 'like Puget Sound faculty,' and do not assume the burden of learning themselves, sometimes returning with disappointing grades. Others relish the challenge and move out of their comfort zone to research lecture topics further on their own, using the site as their classroom and taking advantage of this different approach to academics.

Living conditions are also very different overseas. Students going to large cities should expect daily commutes of sometimes an hour or more. Items we consider essential are often considered an unnecessary luxury in many countries. For example, electricity is very expensive in Europe. Clothes dryers are often considered wasteful and not as healthy as hanging clothes out to dry on the line in the fresh air. Homes are not heated to the degree we would find comfortable perhaps in the States. Instead, families layer clothes to keep warm in the cooler months.

In most countries telephone charges are computed by the distance as well as the time, with no 'free' local calls included in the billing. For this reason, e-mail access may not be readily available in many universities. My colleagues in many countries just log on to the internet to download messages very quickly, log off, and only log back on again when they have composed their replies, to save high phone charges. However, many cybercafes have sprung up worldwide and for a fee, students can keep in touch with friends and family back home, so this may be an additional expense for which students and their families should plan.

Over the many years that I have been working with study abroad students I have found that those students who conduct an honest self-examination of their strengths, limitations and reasons for wanting to study abroad, and who then research their options carefully, discuss these openly and fully with their parents, faculty adviser and appropriate Puget Sound staff, providing detailed information of their needs well in advance of the start of the program, are those who have the most successful academic and personal study abroad experience.

My staff and I look forward to helping your student prepare for this exciting and life-changing experience. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jannie Meisberger
Director, International Programs