Information for Parents and Families


Studying abroad helps students gain the global perspective that's so important today. CMU offers a choice of more than 100 programs in over 30 countries that provide students with firsthand cultural learning experiences they can't receive in a classroom back home. And it's the best way to make strides in foreign language learning. apple

Recognizing that it is important for students to have an international experience as part of their college career, the Lincoln Commission set a national goal to send one million students abroad by 2017. CMU wholeheartedly agrees with this goal and we are making study abroad a priority for our students. The choices are many: students may choose to go abroad for one week during spring break, a few weeks in summer, for one semester or a full academic year. The advice from students who have studied abroad is to stay as long as possible because it is such a wonderful learning experience - the longer the better.

An increasing number of graduate schools are taking notice of students' study abroad experiences when making admissions decisions. There is growing evidence that as more and more businesses are globalizing, U.S. employers are giving more careful consideration to candidates with study abroad experience. We want CMU students to have every advantage they can.

Family support is very important to students about to take on the exciting new challenge of study abroad. Your interest and support throughout the process will be of great help to your student. Browse our site to find out more about CMU study abroad and how you can help your student have the best experience possible.

  • Cultural adjustment. Read about the process and suggestions for a successful adjustment to the new culture.
  • Stories. Read about the study abroad experiences of our students.
  • Photos. Share in others' experiences through CMU's annual Study Abroad Photo Contest.

Guiding your student


We want you to be involved in your student's study abroad experience, while also allowing him or her to handle planning and preparations independently. As your student begins to think about study abroad, the initial questions will be:

Where to go?
You can read about CMU's study abroad sites by browsing the programs list.

Finances
Your student will receive a program budget sheet from his/her Study Abroad Advisor. You can help work through the budget and assist your student in applying for financial aid.

Deadlines
It is important to meet deadlines. A reminder to your student to pay attention to the deadlines (e.g. applications, scholarships, financial aid, passport and visa) will be helpful.

The application process is a good learning experience that will give students a sense of independence and self-confidence that will serve them well once they arrive in the host country. Therefore, we encourage you to let your student be in charge of the process.

The student process


How to get started
There are some very specific steps that your student must take in order to study abroad. You may learn about the steps on our How to Study Abroad information page.

Choosing a study abroad program
Our Study Abroad Advisors meet with the students to help them select an appropriate study site. The options can be reviewed on our website in advance , but it is not required that the students decide in advance where they want to go. The Study Abroad Advisers will guide the students based on area of study, cost, and location.

Passport
All students who travel abroad must have a passport to prove their citizenship. Passport application information may be obtained at the U.S. Department of State's passport website. Applications are also available at the local passport office (usually in the federal or county building) or at the U.S. Post Office.

Visa
A visa is permission from a foreign government to enter their country. A number of governments require that students who study in their country apply for a visa. When a visa is required, students may obtain application information from the website of the Embassy or Consulate of that country. The Consulate has visa officers on staff to answer questions for applicants.

Airline reservation
Students typically make their own airline reservations. Airline reservations may be made on-line or through a travel agent, it's the student's choice. Sometimes group travel is offered and, in this case, students will be notified in advance.

To see more details about getting ready to study abroad, go to the Prepare to Study
Abroad page.

Paying for study abroad


Studying abroad is affordable. Low-cost program options are available, and we even offer tuition exchange programs that allow students to pay CMU tuition. Certain destinations are more expensive than others so it will be important for your student to talk with the Study Abroad Advisor about program costs.

Students who are receiving financial aid most often keep that aid to pay for their study abroad expenses. And by studying abroad, students may be able to apply for scholarships that are specifically for study abroad students. Additional financial aid, typically in the form of loans, may be available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to fund any additional study abroad costs. Financial aid can cover the added costs of airfare, passport, visa, and any other required fees. Vacation travel cannot be included in the financial aid request.

Currency exchange rates can be checked on line (see Money Matters) .

It is important for students to plan ahead and to develop a realistic budget for their study program expenses as well as weekend travel. An estimated budget for the study abroad program is given to the students at the time of application to help with this planning process.

Health and safety


Everyone wants your student to have a safe and healthy trip abroad, and it is a good idea to read the information available before traveling. You will find important information at the following web sites:

U.S. Department of State offers Consular Information Sheets with facts about each country in the world.

Centers for Disease Control offer health information about the country or region. Recommended immunizations are also listed.

U.S. citizens may register with the U.S. Department of State in case help is needed from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate while abroad.

CMU's Travel Health Clinic can administer immunizations and offer valuable information and advice about health issues to consider when traveling abroad.

Physical and dental exam
As a precaution, it is recommended that all students have a physical and a dental exam prior to departure. Students who are on medication should request that the prescription be filled for the entire study abroad period. Students who may need medical care while abroad should inform the CMU study abroad staff in advance.

Study abroad insurance
All students are required to have health, medical evacuation, and repatriation insurance when studying abroad. CMU provides a policy for students through The Lewer Agency.

Cultural adjustment


Expect that your student will go through an adjustment period upon arrival. The new surroundings, cultural customs, language or accent, and different educational system are sure to cause students to miss home. And when they miss home the most is when your phone will ring...

The best advice to students is to be patient and to know that they will feel more comfortable with each new day. It isn't uncommon for 24 hours to make all the difference! At the end of the term, leaving the place that has become a home-away-from-home will be hard to do.

To learn more about the cultural experience, please read our web page on Exploring Cultural Difference.

Returning Home
When your student returns home, expect that there will be a re-entry adjustment that is actually similar to the initial adjustment abroad. Students who have had a good experience, who like the country/culture in which they studied, will miss it for sure. Be sure to encourage your student to talk about the experience and share stories with you.

Communicating with your student while abroad


It will be important to talk about how often you will communicate and when. With email, it will be easy to be in touch electronically. By phone, there will be some planning necessary because of telephone access, time difference, and cost. Students will receive more information during orientation about the specifics of email and telephone access in their host countries.

Sometimes students spend too much time on email and the telephone and miss out on so much of what the host culture has to offer. It is our recommendation that you talk with your student about this topic prior to departure and develop a communication schedule (i.e. phone calls once per week on Saturday morning).

You will, undoubtedly, want to know that your student arrived in the host country safely. Sometimes it is not possible for the students to contact home immediately. An agreement that a phone call or email within 24 hours of arrival is reasonable. Keep a copy of your students' flight itinerary and track the flight's departure/arrival on-line.

You are most likely aware of how savvy students are on the Internet so you will have easy access pictures and blogs relaying adventures and daily life abroad. Staying in touch is so easy.