Parents and Guardians of Study Abroad Students

 

Congratulations! Your student has decided to study abroad, an experience we hope will be fulfilling and transformative. Thank you for supporting your student, not only through the planning and participation process, but also when he or she returns from a study abroad experience.

Opportunities

BSU strives to provide students with the knowledge, skills and tools that foster success and independence, and study abroad can be an integral part of that personal and academic growth process.  In today's global economy, study abroad has become one of the most integral, enriching, and transformative components in a student's college career. Many companies and graduate schools desire candidates who have had the experience of living in a foreign country and who have the ability to work with people from many cultural backgrounds. Study abroad can provide the structure for students to acquire these skills and give them an edge over the competition. The distinction of having studied in a foreign country for a summer, semester, or year can be invaluable to your child's future career in today's competitive job market. 

In order to make study abroad an option available to as many students as possible, the Office of Study Abroad is committed to providing opportunities that are both affordable and meet the academic standards of BSU.  We work with faculty and departments across campus to provide credit that will allow participants to make substantial progress in their degree programs while studying abroad. 

Procedures

There are many steps necessary to plan and participate in a study abroad program. We believe that our students need to take charge of planning and implementing their study in a foreign country with tasks that include picking and applying to a program, getting a passport and visa, understanding how to get course credit, and enrolling in courses abroad.  However, the staff at the Office of Study Abroad is here to advise and guide them through the entire process.

Safety & Wellness

Throughout a study abroad experience, the safety, health and well-being of our students are our highest priorities. Coordinators with regional expertise are available to offer advice, before, during and after programs. We offer an informative Study Abroad Student Handbook, pre-departure orientation, extensive medical insurance coverage, and a comprehensive emergency response system.

Once a student arrives at a program destination, he or she may experience stress and a period of adjustment related to being in a new and different location and. The Study Abroad Office website offers tips on how you can support your student through what can be both a challenging and exciting time.

Experiences

Parents are encouraged to communicate with their students about the study abroad experience, to use the resources available on our website and to contact the Study Abroad Office and CIE staff directly if you have any questions or concerns.  Your support is extremely important as well. Please view the attached Guide to Study Abroad, a booklet designed to help your student understand the step-by-step process of study abroad at Bridgewater State University. It includes useful information about the application process, finances, the stages of adjustment students encounter while abroad and answers to frequently asked questions. 

 

 

Predeparture Materials

Download the student handbook: Study Abroad Student Habdbook

Predeparture Orientation Presenation - Spring 2012

Last Modified: April 4, 2012