Study Abroad - For Parents
In Times of International Tension, Political Conflict, or Military Action
These precautions make sense any time we have students abroad, but they have become even more relevant in recent weeks.
Make sure you have your student's contact information abroad, and know how to place an international phone call. Write down the time difference between your home and your student's location.
Consider allowing your student to purchase a cell phone while abroad; make sure you know how to call the cell phone from the U.S.
Establish a regular schedule of communication via phone and/or e-mail, and develop a contingency plan in case of emergency (who will call whom and where, alternate phone numbers of family or friends if yours are busy).
If any of your contact information has changed recently, call the Center for International Studies at 302-831-2852 or e-mail studyabroad@udel.edu to ensure that we have your correct daytime phone number and email address.
Ask your student to send you information on their travel plans during program free periods and to give you the names of other students in the group with whom they're traveling.
Keep abreast of current events at the sites where your student is living or traveling. Remember that American media will give a different perspective than in-country media. You may want to refer to these or other Web resources for a balanced view: http://international.udel.edu/links/default.htm#news.
Please don't hesitate to contact the Center for International Studies if you have any concerns (302-831-2852, studyabroad@udel.edu).
