A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Study Abroad Journey

As a parent, it’s only natural to feel sometimes—why does my child need to go and study abroad in the first place? Of course, this question arises from a space of concern (for their safety and well-being) and anxiety, but it’s important to understand the why before preparing yourself to support them in their goals. Here’s how the study abroad experience can transform your child’s life journey and why it’s essential for you to be supportive:

• It broadens your child’s worldview: Studying overseas can help broaden your child’s horizons, show them a world of limitless possibilities, and encourage them to take risks. They learn to embrace new cultures and lifestyles, move beyond prejudices, and open their mind to new and different ideas. All of this contributes to their overall personality development.

• Your child learns skills that are valued globally: The courses offered at international universities are thoughtfully designed to impart industry-relevant, specialised skills to students. These skills are highly valued in the international job market, making your child attractive to prospective employers worldwide.

• It boosts their employability and earning potential: An international degree is an asset on your resume, making you highly employable and eligible for lucrative salary packages. The degree earned overseas is also recognised worldwide, which means you are eligible to apply for multiple relevant jobs anywhere in the world.

Doesn’t make sense to deprive your child of all of the above experiences now, does it?

So, how do you ensure your child experiences the multitude of benefits a study abroad experience offers while keeping it smooth and pleasant every step of the way? Shared below are some ways you can support your child on the journey and make sure you both enjoy it together.

Research the Right Country, University, and Course Abroad

Research together—there’s no better way to make your child feel that they have your back in helping them make the right choices for this new chapter of their lives. Search for the best country to study abroad for higher education. Look for the top-ranked universities abroad and the high ROI study programs that can help launch lucrative careers for your child.

Here’s a small checklist to refer to when making these decisions:

• Is the country safe and friendly towards Indian students?

• What is the cost of studying and living in this country?

• Does the country have favourable study visa and post-study work policies?

• What is the overall ranking of the study abroad university on popular international platforms such as QS or THE?

• How is the international student community at the university?

• What is the quality of education offered at this institution?

• What is the tuition fee for the various study abroad courses? Are there scholarship options for these programs?

Plan their Finances

This is one of the most important ways to show your support—by getting involved in the financial planning and budgeting of your child’s study abroad journey. When you sit down to estimate the total study abroad finances that you need to plan for, make sure to factor in the following expenses for a more accurate idea:

• Total indicative tuition fee for the academic year that you intend to apply to

• University application fees

• Cost of books, stationery, devices, etc.

• Average cost of living abroad, including accommodation, food, groceries, dining, utility bills, etc.

• Travel fare to and from India

• Health insurance costs

• Other miscellaneous expenses like shopping, leisure, and recreation

Once you have your list ready, do look for any study abroad financial aid options that you can avail of, such as education loans or scholarships. Guide them through the University and Student Visa Applications Now comes the big and actual move of the study abroad journey—time to put all your planning into action and apply to international universities to secure admission to one of your preferred ones. Your child can use all the guidance here to accurately proceed with the application processes—both for various universities abroad and for the student visa of the country they have secured admission to (after receiving an offer letter from one).

• Check the eligibility criteria of all the universities that you shortlist for application.

• Ensure that you meet all the admission requirements before applying.

• Gather the required set of documents to upload as part of the application process. Ensure that they are correct and in order before submitting.

• Help your child fill in the application form correctly. Carefully review and proofread the application before you hit the submit button to avoid any chances of rejection.

• Once you receive the offer letter from one of the universities you applied to abroad, proceed with completing the required formalities for student visa applications.

• Prepare your child for an interview with the immigration officer.

Prepare them for the Cultural and Lifestyle Changes Abroad

By now, your child is excited and thrilled to start their new life abroad. Your role as a parent is to acquaint them with the potential differences they can expect in the culture and lifestyle of the place. Make sure to handle it sensitively so as not to overwhelm or discourage them from experiencing the new living environment they will soon be part of.

• Encourage your child to read up about the local culture, customs, and etiquette of the country.

• Talk to them with an open mind; foster a safe space for them to share their concerns and address their questions honestly.

• Lend emotional support to your child, making them feel that they have your back in case of any problem. Avoid approaching with an “I told you so” attitude.

• Encourage your child to make friends abroad and join international student communities, both online and offline, to help them avoid feeling homesick.

Arrange for Accommodation and other Essential Facilities The thought of your child leaving the comfort of their home and settling in a new country can be quite scary for any parent. This is why you can help here by making all the necessary arrangements to ensure they have a comfortable stay throughout their study abroad program. From student accommodation abroad to health insurance, you can help plan everything.

• Check out the various options available for housing abroad - on- and off-campus, both rentals, apartments, and shared rooms.

• Ensure the safety of the locality where you plan to book the accommodation.

• Find out more about the local emergency services available, and make sure to talk to your child about these services in case of an immediate need for help. Ensure that they have all the emergency contact numbers with them before leaving.

• Look into securing comprehensive health coverage for your child.

• Encourage your child to register with the local embassy in case assistance is required.

Ensuring that you get all the items on your checklists done and that your child gets the best study abroad experience can leave you feeling flooded—both with responsibility and emotions. But the good news is you don’t necessarily have to do it all alone.

Seek guidance from professional experts such as IDP Education. As one of the best study abroad consultancies in India, we have been helping students secure placements abroad for over 55 years. Here’s how we can help make your child’s study abroad experience smoother and hassle-free:

• We help identify the best countries and courses to study abroad.

• We partner with over 1,000 international universities and help you apply to the ones that best align with your academic and career goals.

• Our experts help you at every step of the university and study visa application processes—from gathering documents and filling applications to drafting SOPs and LORs to boost your chances of acceptance.

• We provide complete pre-departure briefings and post-arrival support to ensure that your child never feels alone and lost in a foreign land.

• The exclusive range of IDP study abroad Student Essentials Services (SES) provides a complete and comfortable stay package for your child abroad—from accommodation and banking to money transfers and SIM cards.

Being a parent isn’t easy. We often find ourselves at crossroads—hard to decide between letting go and respecting our children’s independence, and keeping them close and safe. The key is to allow them sufficient exposure to help shape their personality, respect their space, and stay connected and updated—having their back when they need it most.

And, when you have a partner on this journey—a professional expert guiding you along the way, ensuring that you don’t tire out while helping your child experience the best—the route seems less overwhelming and more pleasant. This is where IDP Education helps parents and students achieve the best study experiences overseas.

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