Parents & Families

Greetings from the U of A Office of Study Abroad!

We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you for your student’s success. We advise families to communicate with their student traveler, to ask them about their ideas, goals, and expectations. Your encouragement and enthusiasm are invaluable at every stage of the study abroad journey.

Resources & Considerations

For an in-depth resource on providing support to your student as they navigate the study abroad process, check out the Institute for International Education’s Parent Guide to Study Abroad.

Benefits

Study abroad is a transformative experience. It provides students the opportunity to solve problems in a cross-cultural context and supports critical thinking. Study abroad is one of the best ways for students to acquire international experience. Students are given the opportunity to challenge themselves academically, personally, and professionally, while experiencing the world from a new perspective.

Getting Started

Students and parents are invited to learn about options by attending a Study Abroad 101 info session, and by exploring program options.

When your student is ready, the Office of Study Abroad will guide your student through one-on-one advising. Study Abroad Advisors & Peer Advisors help students narrow down program options, discuss scholarships, review the application process, and answer study abroad questions.

Safety

Student safety is our highest priority. The Study Abroad Office takes every precaution to mitigate student risk. General safety measures and country specific precautions are discussed at pre-departure orientation, and Health & Safety resources are provided in each student’s HogsAbroad application. Students are registered with local U.S. Embassies through the US Department of State’s Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP), and all study abroad students are enrolled in international health insurance.

The Study Abroad Office also has a Study Abroad Emergency Response Team to manage emergencies that may occur while students are abroad. This team receives U.S. State Department travel information and is available 24 hours a day through the U of A Campus Police.

Find more information about Study Abroad Health & Safety.

Finances

Most U of A scholarships and financial aid that students already receive may be used toward study abroad. Study Abroad is a college expense and college savings programs can also be used. Additionally, U of A students apply to a variety of scholarships specifically for study abroad available through the U of A and outside organizations. With dozens of programs priced similar to the cost of attendance of a semester at the U of A, there really is a study abroad program for every student.

Talk to a Study Abroad Advisor for guidance identifying budget-friendly programs. Call (479) 575-7582 to schedule an appointment.

Find more information about Scholarships & Funding.

Academics

Academic credit earned while abroad will apply to students’ U of A transcript and help students make progress toward their degree. The process for how credit may apply depends on the type of study abroad program: the Rome Center and most faculty-led programs provide U of A credit, while External & Exchange programs provide transfer credit. Transfer credit programs adhere to the U of A’s Transfer Credit Policies.

Privacy

The Study Abroad Office adheres to the U of A policy regarding communication with parents under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the federal legislation that governs the privacy of student records.

While the Study Abroad Office is happy to answer general questions regarding programs and planning, in many cases, we are not able to share specific financial, personal, or academic information due to FERPA regulations.

The Study Abroad Office is student-centered and will send all correspondence directly to the student. In keeping with university policy, we consider it the student’s responsibility to keep their parents and families informed about their study abroad enrollment and experience.