When presented with an opportunity to expand your studies and explore other cultures, it is easy to become focused on the travel and experience that this will give you. You can plan and prepare as much as you want, but if you require parental permission, it can be hard to bring up the subject.
The best way to openly discuss this opportunity and your desire to go is to make sure you have all the information you need ready at your fingertips. Before sitting down with your parents, remember the following tips to make things easier.
1. Take your parents’ feelings into consideration
For a summer abroad program, your excitement is likely visibly overflowing. The butterflies in your stomach make you feel all giddy and want to burst with an uncontrollable urge to run off all this information in one breath.
For your parents, however, this may be the first time they hear of you wanting to travel alone to another country. This will be a lot for them to process and could be a shock. It may even cause them to say no, so considering how they may feel or react will make the conversation easier.
Dropping hints or bringing the idea up before you hit them with a lot of information prior to sitting down with them, may make it easier when the time to ask comes.
2. Know why you want to go
This may seem like a moot point, but still, know why you want to go on a particular program. Simply saying “because it would be cool” or “my friends are going” is not a good enough reason to go.
Understanding why you want to attend a certain study abroad program is key. Each program explores different aspects. Thus, if you have a passion for history and archaeology, then a program that takes you to Greece or Egypt, where you can learn about ancient history and explore historically important ruins, is beneficial.
Maybe you have an interest in botany. In this case, getting the opportunity to study the plants and ecosystems prevalent in Costa Rica would be ideal.
3. Understand your budget and financial options
Studying abroad can be costly. There is the cost of the program, flights, accommodation, study materials, food, and activities, all to account for. While many programs will include the cost of accommodation and provide travel passes, such as bus or train, you still need to provide for other essentials.
Giving your parents the breakdown of all the costs and what you must do to afford it, shows that you are serious and have considered your options carefully.
There are plans that can assist you, such as student loans, but maybe you have a part-time job or your own source of income. Showing how you intend to budget and save to make the trip easier to afford will lessen the blow if you need to ask for help with some of the finances.
4. Know the length of your trip
Calculating the time you will be away will give your parents peace of mind about your travel plans. Summer abroad programs run for different lengths of time, so it’s good to know what to expect.
The course may run for a month, for example, but you intend to go a week early and then return a couple of weeks later. This tells people your full plans so that there is no panic when you don’t return after the month-long program ends.
Inform your parents about your full itinerary. This way, they will know what you are doing each day and where you intend to be. Also, posting pictures of your adventures to social media can give them a sense of involvement from afar.
5. Keep in contact
Being able to contact your family easily is a big concern for parents, even more so if a family member is in another country.
Look into long-distance phone plans with your cell provider, or research to see what other people have said about internet speeds in the country you are visiting. This will give your parents reassurance that they can reach you by video chat, for instance.
While you don’t need to invest in high-tech satellite phones, knowing how to get in contact, either for a chat or an emergency, is always a good plan, regardless.
6. Ensure safety first
There is a lot of media coverage about the terrible things that sometimes happen overseas. While the area you are going to may be free from such issues, you will need to prove that the trip is safe, and you will be, too.
By researching travel and medical insurance, local crime statistics, and other supporting sources, such as past student testimonials, local news feeds, and online videos, you can build your case that the trip will be safe.
The Right Proposal Will Get You Started
By providing your parents with all the information and research to show why the trip is important and how it will further your education, you can put together a convincing plan to help you get started on the study abroad program.
Global Summers Academy specializes in summer abroad programs and provides all the course information you need to help you decide on the right program and then talk to your parents. As leading experts in studying abroad, we can also provide testimonials from past students and information about insurance, finances, and more.
Call us at 1-844-357-2621 or contact us here today, and find the perfect program to take you on the learning journey of a lifetime.
