As parents and guardians of confirmed study-abroad students, you will receive a parent survival guide before your student's departure. In the meantime, here is some information you may find helpful:
Registration, Financing, Privacy
FERPA: The Federal Education Right to Privacy Act
- Federal privacy regulations restrict the Office of International Education from discussing student records and study abroad information. A student may sign a form to allow named individuals access to such information. Federal law stipulates that students may not sign under duress; therefore, the form is available for your student in our office and at pre-departure. We recommend you discuss this with the student.
Registration
- International Education will register each student for study abroad at IUP under the schedule code “OLOC.” The student must have his or her schedule clear of any scheduled classes or “holds” in order for this process to be completed. Only after a student is registered will the bills be issued.
- Holds: A hold is placed on a student’s account for many reasons, such as a parking ticket, infirmary fee, etc. Registration cannot occur if there is a hold of any kind. Students can access this information through their URSA account.
Financial Aid
- Please have your student contact the Financial Aid office regarding grants and loans. Each student will be encouraged to meet with Leslie Thomas in the Financial Aid office regarding funding of his or her study-abroad experience. Even if students normally do not use loans or receive grants, it is highly recommended that they discuss not only financial options, but procedures and policies they might not be aware of otherwise. Leslie Thomas can be reached at leslie.thomas@iup.edu.
Scholarships
Billing
- International Education will provide the exchange fee information to the IUP Office of the Bursar in order for your student’s bill to be issued from IUP. Bills are usually issued in late August for the Fall semester, early December for the Spring semester, and late April/May for Summer Session. Autumn Shannon, autumn.shannon@iup.edu, is the contact for the Office of the Bursar.
- If your student has not received a bill, or the bill reflects incorrect information, please have your student contact the Office of International Education, as there may be some error or exception.
- The Power of Attorney form should have arrived by mail. It is a wise idea to have a limited power of attorney named before the student embarks on his or her journey. It is also a good idea to make a few copies before it is signed. For example, have one for the bank, one for Bursar’s office, one for your records, etc.
Study Abroad Administrative Fee
This fee is added to each bill. Here are some fee details:
- $300 for semester exchange (Fall or Spring)
- $200 for summer exchange
- $500 for European Teacher Education Network semester exchange (Fall or Spring)
- $440 for art exchange (Fall or Spring)
Passports, Visas, and Immigration
- As the world becomes smaller, each country is tightening its security efforts. What does that mean for travel? All U.S. citizens are now required to have a valid passport as a means of official identification for any travel outside the U.S., including Canada and Mexico.
- Your student may need to obtain a visa or residence permit. A visa is permission from the host government to travel and reside for a certain time period in that country. It is usually a stamp or sticker that is placed directly in the passport. In order to obtain a visa, a student must first be accepted into a program. Please have the student contact International Education for more information regarding immigration requirements for the host country.
- If you plan to visit your student, or even consider it an option, getting your own passport early is a good idea. This could take up to eight weeks. For more information regarding passports and renewals, visit the U.S. Department of State's travel site for the latest information.
Communicating with Student
Please be aware that, even in this age of advanced technology, students may not have the opportunity to call or e-mail as soon as they arrive in their host country. It is not unusual for the student to call or e-mail two to three days after arriving. Please be patient.
Reasons might include the following:
Layovers
Delayed flights
They are too tired.
They have to check in with their university.
They have a scheduled itinerary from the host institution.
They cannot get a phone card immediately.
They cannot access the Internet yet (new passwords, student accounts, etc.).
About Internet Phone Services
These are an inexpensive way for you to communicate with your student. Please talk with your student and set up appropriate “accounts” before they leave. Many students have found the following to be helpful:
Culture Shock and Adjustment
Your student, no matter how prepared he or she may be, will encounter the four stages of culture shock. Please speak with your student about culture shock. More extensive descriptions are provided in the Pre-Departure Handbook.
These are the four stages of culture shock:
- Euphoria: Everything is new and exciting.
- Irritation and Hostility: It is no longer exciting living in a foreign place.
- Gradual Adjustment: Student begins to adjust, and attitude toward local country and people improves.
- Adaptation: Complete recovery once he or she can approach the overseas culture with confidence. Attitude has changed, and student accepts new environment as another way of living.
It is extremely important for you to understand these stages of culture shock, so when your student shows symptoms, you will be able to provide assistance if necessary. Parents and close friends are strong influences on student’s experiences. When students are homesick, it is sometimes up to you to provide a comforting ear and offer suggestions.
What can you do to help?
- Mail: Send mail (real mail). Everyone likes to get mail!
- Letters, cards, and packages: Some parents send out the address of their student to family members and friends. That way, your student can keep connected.
- Packages: They can get expensive. You don’t have to mail Mountain Dew; however, small packages with a pack of chewing gum or pictures of the dog, etc., are a great little reminder that you’re thinking of them.
