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| The following information has been compiled by the Study Abroad Office and is dedicated specifically to address the needs / questions / concerns you as parents might have regarding your child's decision to study abroad. We've included information on the benefits of studying abroad - both academic and personal - as well as information on financial aid and safety. Please review the information below and always feel free to contact our office with any questions you might have. |
| Why should my son/daughter study abroad? |
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Academic/intellectual
Students develop skills in problem solving and with foreign languages; they gain geographical and historical knowledge; they're exposed to people who process information differently than they do. They earn credits towards their Pitt degree.
Professional
Students can make professional contacts, gain a sense of direction for their future career, gain a sense of responsibility in working on a project, benefit from the close mentoring of a faculty member.
Personal & Intercultural
Students gain an appreciation of what we have in the U.S.; they develop confidence, a strengthened sense of personal identity, flexibility, and creativity. Students learn to rely on themselves and become more independent. Students increase their interest in other cultures, become less ethnocentric, as they become more aware of cultural differences, develop language skills within a cultural context, become more culturally sensitive and accepting. |
| What is the process by which my child may study abroad? |
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- Start Early: We suggest students start planning a year to 6 months in advance
- Consider where a student would like to go and what they would like to study
- Visit the study abroad office: Your child should stop in the study abroad office where they can look at program materials and talk with student interns.
- Sign up for an Essentials Session: These meetings are required for any student interested in studying abroad, and it is a great introduction to study abroad. It is an informational session that discusses the fundamentals of study abroad, the different ways to study abroad, information on scholarships and transferring credit, etc. You are always welcome to attend these sessions or visit our office to speak with our staff.
- Begin the Process: There are a variety of steps in the study abroad process. You may purview these by visiting the Getting Started section of this website. This section is designed to shows students the study abroad process and many of the important facets of each stage.
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| How do we afford study abroad? |
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| Finances are always a factor in the decision to study abroad. There are many ways in which study abroad can become affordable including scholarships and financial aid. State, federal and campus-based financial, with the exception of Federal Work Study, will apply to study abroad, as long as the program is approved by the study abroad office. Additionally, some programs allow the use of tuition remission. The SAO has designed a brochure to help determine which programs are eligible. We also recommend that everyone involved in a student's selection of a study abroad program purview the Finances pages of this website for further information. |
| What are some suggestions for my child's safety? |
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| The following are some general tips that we expect our students to follow. Additionally, we have crafted an entire section of this website dedicated to health, safety and security overseas. Please visit the Health and Safetypages for a more thorough assessment of how to stay healthy and safe while studying abroad.
The following are some of the safety tips that we encourage students to follow:
- Know where you are going. Do your homework before traveling: read guidebooks, look at maps, check with local staff, etc.
Leave expensive or expensive-looking jewelry at home.
- Do not carry valuables, even in a backpack or locked luggage. If you must carry cameras, radios, etc. don't leave them unattended.
- Do not flaunt wallets, purses, cell phones or cameras. Wear a money belt, concealed under your clothing.
- Put valuables in the hotel safe or ask your local contact about storing valuables while at the program site.
- Avoid unlit places and walking alone. Stick to well-traveled streets and walk in groups at night. Be especially cautious when you are new to a city and know little about what parts of town may be less safe.
Safety Suggestions for Women:
- Follow the example of women from your host country, in terms of culturally appropriate dress and demeanor.
- Trust your instincts. If you do not feel safe in a situation or someone's behavior is making you uncomfortable, get out of the situation immediately.
- Travel in groups of at least two, especially when you are unfamiliar with a city or town.
- Lock hotel rooms when traveling. Do not stay in hotels without adequate locks. It is not worth the savings to put yourself at risk.
- Walk with purpose and avoid eye contact with strangers.
- Firmly say "no" to any invitation you do not want and turn away. Ignore persistent overtures.
- Do not drink alcohol in excess
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