Information for Parents

We understand that as a parent you have questions or concerns about your child studying abroad. This page is designed to help answer questions or concerns that you may have.

A beneficial experience

Studying abroad can be a beneficial experience for students. It can enable them to:

Gain exposure to new cultures, new environments and new ideas
Earn credit towards their degree
Obtain a greater understanding of personal strengths and career goals
Expand their professional network
Gain independence, new skills and perspectives
Make new friends from around the globe

As the world continues to expand many employers will require employees to work internationally in some way, shape, or form. Learning new languages and about other cultures provides students with the edge they will need when applying for jobs after graduation.

Common questions that parents have

How do I keep in touch with my child while they are abroad?

There are a lot of free resources available to keep parents and students connected despite the distance, some of which you may already be acquainted with!

Facebook – a great tool to keep in touch with friends and family back home through uploading pictures or posting updates about your experiences through to direct private messages.
Prepaid mobile phones - many students buy cheap prepaid mobiles when they get to their host country, and text messages, even international ones, are often far less expensive than phone calls.
Free messaging, video and audio – services such as Skype, Viber, and WhatsApp, are all applications that users can download to send text message and make phone and video calls to international numbers free of charge. All three have mobile apps, so you don't need to be tethered to your computer waiting for your child to come online (you have a life, too, after all).
Blogs - Many students will create blogs to update friends and family on what they have been getting up too.

Snail mail, fax and email are all available means by which to communicate with students abroad.

What are some safety and security guidelines

There are a number of different things that you and your child can do to help maintain their personal safety. Our Flinders abroad pre-departure guide provides students with guidance on how to minimize the risks of foreign travel.

Make sure your child registers their travel plans with the Government before leaving Australia. The registration information provided will help them contact your child with important information or find you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or family emergency.

Does my child need travel insurance?

Yes, they do!
It is essential that students obtain travel insurance that covers the duration of their time overseas (including any additional travel at the end of their exchange period) prior to booking their flights overseas.

There are a number of different providers that can provide students with travel insurance. A registered travel agency can provide you with a quote or there are a number of online providers.

Flinders University also offers travel insurance and can offer insurance coverage for students travelling overseas for university business or study purposes.

How do I know what is happening in the country my child is studying abroad in?

You can view travel alerts and warnings online.

If you have additional questions which you need answered please contact our team.

Have more questions about studying overseas?

If you require further information or assistance with your application for studying overseas please don't hesitate to contact the Global Experience team.

global.experience@flinders.edu.au

+61 8 8432 4321

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