Resources for Families

The Benefits of Study Abroad

A semester living and learning abroad is often one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of a student鈥檚 academic career. Students return with a deeper appreciation both of the world around them and their life at home. Students can also gain a number of skills from study abroad which can be useful in their personal and professional lives. These include adaptability, flexibility, cultural sensitivity, open-mindedness, self-confidence, and communication skills. These and other skills gained from study abroad are among the most sought-after by employers, making study abroad a smart move for career development. Pro tip: Encourage your student to work with a听 coach on strategies for talking about their study abroad experiences with employers.

One of the potential benefits for students who study abroad is an听increased level of resilience.听As with any impactful experience that results in personal growth,听uncertainties and challenges are to be expected听for even the most accomplished students and seasoned travelers. These challenges and setbacks are听catalysts for growth, and students will learn best when they can confront issues on their own and find their own creative solutions to the difficulties they face. Unless you believe the safety and security of your student is threatened, we recommend that you encourage听your student to solve problems on their own, while providing appropriate emotional support.

Practical Information

Your student鈥檚 study abroad experience will unfold through several key phases beginning up to 12 months prior to their intended term abroad:

Planning
Application
Program commitment and conditions for withdrawal
Pre-departure orientation
Arrival on site
Time abroad
Returning home

汤头条's Study Abroad staff is here to provide information, guidance, appropriate support, and resources during every phase of your student鈥檚 study abroad journey. Please encourage them to communicate with us.

Information will be communicated directly to students, so we encourage you to maintain open dialogue with your student about your questions and expectations.听

Travel Health Considerations

Parents are an excellent resource to encourage students to take care of vaccinations and to address any additional medical concerns earlier in the process versus closer to deadlines.

汤头条 Study Abroad encourages students to disclose health information/conditions to their program staff.听Disclosure ensures that program staff are prepared in advance to support the student, both day-to-day and in the event the student is incapacitated.

汤头条 Global Opportunities has partnered with Healix to provide 24/7 worldwide support. As part of this update, all students, faculty, and staff who are traveling more than 100 miles away from the Nashville campus on university business will have medical insurance coverage automatically. For more detailed information, visit . Have questions? Contact globalsafety@vanderbilt.edu.听

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All 汤头条 travelers should seek out a听travel health consultation.听The 汤头条 Student Health Center provides students with听听to ensure that students understand any health risks of their travel destination, as well as providing vaccinations and the potential to discuss a care plan for ongoing conditions. Students should plan to book their appointment at Student Health听as soon as possible.听There is a rush on appointments toward the middle and latter part of each semester.

How 汤头条 Study Abroad Communicates with Families

汤头条 Study Abroad recognizes the important roles parents and families play in students鈥� lives and education. We are happy to speak to parents and family to answer questions pertaining to the study abroad process. 汤头条 Study Abroad always places students at the center of our resources and services, and we view students鈥� ownership of the logistical preparation for study abroad as an important part of their growth experience. To maintain a student-centered approach, our communication with parents and families will be guided by the following principles:

The听 (FERPA) limits 汤头条 and Study Abroad staff in our ability to give out private information regarding students, including grades, program participation, student status, health details, and other information. While we cannot reveal information about students, we can discuss our programs and logistics in detail. You may also review the Registrar's Office's .
We believe that the student has a right to know of any discussions about their study abroad. Unless the student鈥檚 safety is in jeopardy, 汤头条 Study Abroad cannot honor requests to conceal the content of conversations with family members from the student.
Except in cases where it might jeopardize a student鈥檚 health or well-being, the student will always be copied on email responses addressed to family members, including email follow-up to phone calls from family members.
汤头条 Study Abroad does not engage in extended discussions with anonymous callers.

Once a student has been accepted into a program, we ask that they designate an听emergency contact. 汤头条 Study Abroad will notify the emergency contact in the following cases:

The student is unable to speak for themselves
The student has been missing for more than 24 hours
The student is perceived to be a danger to themselves or others
There is a significant health, safety, or security incident affecting the study abroad program (e.g. civil unrest, mass violence, extreme weather, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What and how will my student be billed for their study abroad?

Your student will be billed for 汤头条 tuition and a program fee. You can see the estimated costs on our听Budget Sheets page. Note that the Program Fee charged by 汤头条 always reflects what is billed to us by our partners, and听so the fee highlighted on our Budget Sheets page is always an estimate. Most program budget sheets include a link to the partner's most recently published costs which can be used to double-check costs. The Program Fee also includes 汤头条-issued mandatory international health insurance.
Students are billed through the 汤头条 student account at the same time they are usually billed each semester. Billing delays can occasionally take place if a student has not completed requirements in their 汤头条 Study Abroad application, or if there is a hold preventing their registration.
More information on study abroad finances
Will my student鈥檚 financial aid apply to their program abroad?

Yes! All standard need- and merit-based financial aid will be automatically applied to a student's semester abroad, with the exception of work study. If the total estimated cost of a program abroad (see the program's听budget sheet) is greater than the cost of staying at 汤头条, aid can usually be augmented to compensate. Students can request a review of their aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Students who do not currently receive aid are also welcome to听听from the Office of Student Financial Aid to discuss options.
More about funding for study abroad
Where will my student live?

Most programs, with the exception of exchange programs, include housing arranged for your student. To simplify payment and the application of need- and merit-based aid, 汤头条 bills this housing as the 汤头条 Program Fee where feasible. In some cases, students will pay housing directly to the program (e.g., AUP, CIEE Open Campus, etc.). The type of housing (homestay, dormitory, apartment) will depend on the program. Please refer to the program partner's website for this information, as well as program dates and other helpful details.
Some programs offer multiple housing options, and certain options may involve an upcharge. 汤头条's estimated cost for the program always reflects the lowest-cost housing option. If your student is placed in housing that is more expensive, our partner will bill you directly.
汤头条听policy听requires that students live in program housing wherever available.
Will my student be covered by health insurance?

Without exception, students traveling on 汤头条 Study Abroad programs will be covered by 汤头条's international health insurance between the start and end dates of their program. 汤头条 Study Abroad will enroll your student, so there is no need for any action on their part. Students will receive their insurance card via their 汤头条 email account.
Students need to maintain their domestic health coverage while they are abroad, to prevent lapse in coverage and to ensure that they can access care should they need to return home.
More information on 汤头条's international health insurance
Does my student need a travel visa?

Depending on the country your student is traveling to and the agreements between that country and your student's home country, a visa may or may not be required. If a visa is required for entry, students will receive detailed visa instructions from 汤头条's program partner or from a 汤头条 Study Abroad advisor. Visa applications often request financial information, a copy of roundtrip flight ticketed itinerary, and may also require an in-person interview at the relevant consulate. Students should read through all provided instructions carefully before beginning the application process. International students should also plan to meet with their ISSS advisor during the application process. While program partners and 汤头条 Study Abroad may help students come to grips with the visa process, students are ultimately responsible for procuring their own visa in order to study abroad.
It is important to note that in some cases, students may need to secure a residence permit to live in their host country. This generally happens after the student arrives in country.
What about my student鈥檚 safety?

汤头条 offers comprehensive safety support for students abroad, including 24/7 assistance in times of crisis or emergency. Find more information on our听Safety and Security page.