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Home » For Parents
Parents Your student is about to embark on a once in a life time experience. This is a very exciting time for all involved. We have provided the information below to answer questions you might have. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at any point if you have further questions or in an emergency. Passport If your student does not have a passport, he/she will need to apply for one as soon as possible. This can be done either at the local Post Office or online at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ Processing time is approximately 6 weeks. It is very important to apply early. If he/she already has a passport, check the expiration date and renew if necessary. Your student should leave copies of his/her passport with you as well as with the Office of Study Abroad. You should also get a passport in case you wish to visit or in case of emergency. Most students who are studying abroad for a semester or year will also need a visa. Orientation All students who study abroad are required to attend a pre-departure orientation meeting. At the orientation they receive a Pre-Departure Manual and a study abroad advisor talks them though all logistical, cultural and safety aspects of their trip. Registration All students on approved study abroad programs stay fully enrolled at the University of Arkansas during their time abroad. If participating on a non-UA program, students are registered in a place-holding course and charged a $10/credit hour fee. What expenses will my student incur? Students may contact the Office of Study Abroad to receive an estimated program budget. How will my student get money abroad? There are many ways to get money abroad and it is a good idea to not rely on only one single method. Students should check that their debit and credit cards work overseas and notify their bank that they will be studying abroad. Most students keep their American bank account active and use ATMs abroad. What about scholarships and financial aid? Students may use financial aid and scholarships to finance their study abroad program. We recommend that students arrange for their funds to be direct deposited in their bank account as often programs start before monies are disbursed. It is often useful for students to set up their parents with Power of Attorney in case money needs to be deposited or documents signed. Our first priority is your student’s safety. We have procedures in place should there be an emergency and we are in regular contact with resident directors and faculty abroad. We also closely monitor the U.S. State Department website for updated Travel Warnings and Public Announcements. All students are provided with emergency contact information both for their program and for the Office of Study Abroad (link). Health Insurance All students studying abroad should have adequate health insurance. If insurance is not provided as part of a program fee, students may obtain LewerMark insurance at our office (link) for $46/month. Vaccinations Depending on the country, some students may require vaccinations before traveling abroad. Students should check the Center for Disease Control website or contact the University Health Center Travel Clinic. Many students experience ‘reverse culture shock’ when they get home and this can almost as tough to deal with as true culture shock, as it is so unexpected. It’s a good idea to gather information for you and for them on the re-entry process. The School for International Training in Vermont has an excellent readjustment manual designed for parents by a parent http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/parents/reentry.html. http://studyabroad.uark.edu/301.htm You may wish to purchase Study Abroad: A Parent's Guide by William H. Hoffa, available through NAFSA. This is a comprehensive guide for parents which leads you through your student's study abroad experience by providing advice, suggestions, and practical knowledge from the planning process through the re-entry shock of coming home. CIEE’s Knowledge Series for parents is particularly useful http://ciee.org/program_resources/knowledge/parents.aspx
Office of Study Abroad, 722 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday, Phone: (479)-575-7582 studyabroad@uark.edu |