Information for Parents

When asked why they chose to study off-campus, Franklin & Marshall students often respond that they were encouraged by their parents to seek out this type of experience.  In the Office of International Programs, we know how important your support is to both the success of our programs and the growth of our students.  For this, we thank you.

While we believe that it is the responsibility of your student to keep you informed of his or her plans, we are committed to providing you with any information you need regarding academic, financial, health and safety, or cultural issues.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

In this section, we have outlined the issues that we feel are of greatest concern to parents of off-campus study participants.  Feel free, however, to browse the rest of our website for more information.  You may also find our bibliography of Resources for Parents helpful as you research on your own.

When choosing a program, your student will consider many locations and types of experiences.  Talk with your son or daughter about his or her options and interests.  Some topics you may wish to discuss include:

Length (semester, full year, or summer)
Academic structure (courses offered, internship possibilities, classroom setting)
Housing (host family, university housing, student apartments)
Student services (program staff, accommodations available)
Foreign language requirements
Previous experience with travel and encounters with people from different backgrounds

Complete information on Franklin & Marshall's off-campus study billing policy and related resources are available on our Billing page.

Financial aid is available to your student for off-campus study, in the form of federal, institutional, and outside loans, grants, and scholarships.  Help your student research funding sources.  Consult the Financial Aid page for suggestions on funding and Franklin & Marshall's financial aid policies regarding off-campus study.

Budgeting for a semester or year off-campus can be a daunting task.  Talk to your son or daughter about saving for the time away, and help them develop a realistic budget.  Include travel in the host country, local and international transportation, and other personal expenses in your calculations.  Be aware of exchange rates and the affect of currency conversion on you and your student's contribution to off-campus study.  Download our Off-Campus Study General Financial Planner to help you outline the expenses related to your student's experience.

As a parent, your student's health and safety are of utmost concern.  Be assured that we would never send a student to a country experiencing serious political instability or presenting dangerous health risks.  Likewise, we would not send a student to a program that lacked the support services necessary to respond to an accident, illness, or other emergency.  The Institute for the International Education of Students has published 10 important health and safety questions that students and parents should discuss before enrolling in a program of study.  Read through these as you help your student through the program choice process.

Before your student leaves for a program, discuss the health and safety risks associated with travel.  Check with your health insurance provider about stipulations for healthcare overseas, and review the health and safety information provided by the program.  Your student will also need to make arrangements for medications and/or accommodations related to mental or physical health.  We encourage students to visit Appel Health Services as soon as possible to begin these preparations.  You may also wish to consult your family healthcare practitioner for further advice.

Consult the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs for current travel warnings and information about travel to any country.

Living and learning in a new cultural context is an opportunity that is not without challenges.  Your student will face many differences in everyday situations, communication styles, and learning settings.  

During his or her time away, your student will experience highs and lows associated with adjusting to a new culture.  Your support and understanding in that process is important.  For a basic overview of cultural issues related to study abroad, refer to University of the Pacific's "What's Up With Culture?" site.  

Returning home is also a stressful time for students. After a semester or more of independent living, travel, and new experiences, it can be difficult to return to family, friends, classmates, and teachers who may not be able to relate directly to what the student has learned.  It is important that family be involved in the process of re-entry.  Some simple suggestions are offered by World Learning's SIT Study Abroad programs in their Readjustment Manual for Parents.