If your child is begging to go on a study abroad, you must read this. Personally, if you are apprehensive I would read a few more posts and have a conversation with your child. Hopefully, this blog post will give you an outside perspective from a returning study abroad student.
It Will Teach Your Daughter Or Son How To Be Independent
A study abroad would be the first time your daughter or son experiences almost full independence, and this is critical. Why? It is critical because soon your son or daughter will be graduated from high school and you will want them to be as prepared as possible for the real world or university. Letting them live in another country is a fun way for them to learn how to live without you. They learn how to manage money, how to do things by themselves, and how to do their own laundry. :) I know it may sound scary, but they're going to leave the nest sooner or later. Wouldn't you rather have them be comfortable living on there own? Think of it as a little practice before the real test comes, life.
Studying Abroad Will Increase Critical Thinking Skills
Your son or daughter has lived their life with nearly zero change. However, by allowing them to live in a different country, you are allowing them to think more critically and thoughtfully because they will have gained a second perspective. Also, they will most likely meet many other students from all over the world who will also increase their worldly knowledge. Studying abroad is a huge learning curve, especially when living in countries that speak a different language. These newly gained skills will set your child apart from many others and give them a leg up on landing a job, getting into the college of their dreams, and scholarship opportunities.
After I returned from my study abroad, I was accepted into every college that I applied for and was able to gain funding to cover almost my entire attendance at university. I do not think this was due solely to my study abroad experience, but I do believe it really helped at setting me apart from many others and giving me the extra edge that I needed.
They Will Have Life-Long Travel Benefits
Going on a study abroad is not solely about where they are going, but who they will meet while they are there. When someone goes on a study abroad they are automatically connected with everyone else who is also doing a study abroad in that country. On my own study abroad, there were 8O other students, all from around the world. This gives your child an amazing networking environment, they will have the opportunity to know people from almost every country! That is an opportunity that will never happen again. Since being on a study abroad I have been to 4 different countries, each of them I did not have to pay for accommodation because I stayed with old friends from the program.
But, Is Studying Abroad Safe?
Yes! Studying abroad is not any less safe then your child being at home. Study abroad organizations go through a lot to ensure the complete safety of your child, that is their job and that is why you are paying money for the study abroad. Every company is different, but they have levels of safety to ensure that your child is not only safe but also happy. AFS is an American company that I did my study abroad with, and they were wonderful. I had a personal liaison outside of my host family that I could talk to whenever I needed. We also went on weekend getaways once a month, where we got to talk with other exchange students and staff about how we were feeling/what we were going through. In addition, the organization would take us on trips with other students as apart of our program.
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