Information for Parents, Family, and Friends
As your student prepares for their education abroad experience, which will most likely be the most challenging and rewarding venture of their college career, they will benefit from your support.
This can come in many forms, but most importantly through discussions about their upcoming term abroad. Please consider the following topics as they relate to your student’s education abroad experience:
Financing Education Abroad
Program Cost Structure
Detailed information about the cost structure of your student’s international experience including information about tuition, housing, meals, and flights can be found on our Financing Education Abroad page.
Financial Aid
If your student is planning to study abroad, they will be encouraged to meet with their Student Financial Services (SFS) Counselor prior to departure to determine exactly how their financial aid package applies to their abroad experience. To learn more about the cost to study abroad and additional funding opportunities, please review our grants and scholarships page.
Academics
The most important aspect of a successful overseas experience for your student will be appropriate academic planning. The education abroad advisors and short-term program managers in the Glavin Office and class deans in Academic Services will work closely with your student during the advising and application process or period to ensure that the program aligns with your student’s academic goals. Ultimately, we want to ensure that your student will maintain their path to graduation.
Communication
Routine communication with your student during their overseas experience will be very different from what you are used to during your student’s studies on the Babson campus. Prior to your student’s departure, decide on a plan for regular communication and a plan for emergency communication. Regular communication by Skype, WhatsApp, and/or FaceTime will be an affordable option for many, whereas on some programs and in some situations, communication via telephone and email will be more practical.
It is strongly suggested, and in some cases required, that students maintain a mobile phone during their experience abroad. It is imperative to be realistic with expectations around the frequency with which you will speak with your student directly during their overseas experience, and the cost that is associated with a particular device. Discuss international plan options with your mobile service carrier or purchasing SIM cards abroad if the device is unlocked. In some cases, it may be more cost effective to purchase a handheld device in country, and use a pay-as-you-go service.
Travel Documents
Your student will need a valid passport to study abroad. Their passport will need to be valid for at least six months after the program end date. In addition to a passport, your student may be required to also obtain a visa. Students will need to prepare for their experience abroad by reviewing the entry and exit requirements of their host country and of the countries they hope to visit (or travel through) during their time abroad, to ensure that they have the necessary documentation to enter and exit each country. Students may contact their Education Abroad advisor or program manager for more information.
Health and Safety
Your student’s health and safety is our No. 1 priority! Please visit our Health and Safety Abroad page for detailed information on Babson’s protocols and guidelines to minimize risk, pre-departure planning, and what to do in the case of an emergency abroad.
Diversity and Inclusion
Please visit our Diversity and Inclusion pages to learn more about the various resources made available for your student. We hope these resources will help prepare them to successfully address the diversity issues they may encounter abroad: