For Parents

Some parents welcome the idea of their student studying abroad, while others feel anxious about it. Either way, you will have questions and concerns. The best was to allay your worries is to start an open dialogue with your student. They have all the information you need, so talk to them. Some important questions to ask are:

• Why does your student want to study abroad?
• Is your student willing to fully immerse themselves in another culture?
• What does your student wish to get out of the experience?
• Ask how your student will behave overseas; they will be making decisions about finance, safety, balancing study and free time.

Other Tips:

• Research the destination country; the more you know the less you will fear.
• Read the website information, blog and literature your student has. This will keep you informed about cost, length of trip and other details. Having concrete details and plans will also give you something to lessen your worries.
• Have your student give you a copy of their finalized travel plans. This will give you one less thing to worry about.
• Help your student to make informed decisions about their study abroad experience.
• Use social media sites to help stay in contact with your student while abroad (ex: Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs). Many times students will contact you more frequently when abroad then when just away to college.
• Make sure that your student has packed enough of the things they can not live without for the entire trip. While traveling abroad some things are not readily available and knowing that your student has these essentials will give some peace of mind.

My student is thinking about studying abroad

• How can my student get information about the study abroad options available to Maryville students?

  • Visit the Office for Study Abroad, Gander Hall 270
  • Visit our website: maryville.edu/study-abroad
  • Contact us by email: acraddock@maryville.edu

• How does my student apply to a faculty-led study abroad program?

  • Complete and submit an online application.
  • A $300 deposit will reserve a space in the program; the deposit is refundable until 60 days prior to program start date.

 
Yes, my student wants to Study Abroad!

• How does my student register for classes?

  Students will be registered for courses by the program when summer registration opens.

• What classes can my student take? Do they count toward Their degree?

  Classes for each program year are available in the Office for Study Abroad. Students should consult their academic advisor for assistance in determining how the credits fit into a specific degree plan. We reserve the right to restructure or cancel a course in case of insufficient enrollment. If this occurs, students will be offered a choice of several alternative courses.

• Is financial aid available for summer-abroad programs?

  Maryville students can apply for financial aid for summer study abroad. Please see the financial aid information on the Study abroad website.

• How are tuition and fees paid?

  Tuition and program fees are paid through each student’s individual account or directly to our designated study abroad provider. Students will receive detailed payment information upon admission to their program.

• What is covered by the program fee?

  What is covered by the program fee varies by location. Most program fees cover orientation, housing in a double room, insurance, and select excursions. Refer to your student’s study abroad admission letter for details of what is covered by the program fee.

• What is NOT covered by the program fee?

  What is not covered by the program fee varies by location. Typically, personal incidental costs and meals are not covered. A detailed list of what is and isn’t covered is included in each program description.

 
Preparing for the Study Abroad experience!

• What should my student pack?

  Students will receive packing tips in their pre-departure meetings. A suggested packing list will be communicated through social media and at orientation.

• Where will my student live while studying abroad?

  Housing varies by location. Students in Florence and Oxford will live in local student apartments; other programs may also use university student housing (dorms) or hotels.

• How can my student access cash while abroad?

  The easiest way to access local currency while abroad is with an ATM/debit card. Your student must contact his/her banking institution to notify them of the dates and destination of travel. Failure to do this may result in the debit card being declined.

• What is provided? What should my student take/buy?

  This varies by location, and will be covered at pre-departure meetings.

• How will I communicate with my student during the study abroad experience?

  There are a variety of ways for students to communicate with their families while abroad. Students will receive information on cell phones, internet access, and other forms of communication in pre-departure meetings. Available technology may vary by location.

 
What about the health & safety of my student?
COVID-19 Resources
Study abroad programs will follow CDC Health Guidelines and State Department Travel Guidelines

• Does my student need immunizations before traveling?

  Generally, students do not need additional immunizations for travel to our summer study abroad locations. For information, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control Website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

• Does Maryville provide health insurance for students?

  Yes, overseas health insurance is included in the program fee. Each student will receive an electronic insurance card and coverage brochure prior to traveling.

• Does Maryville provide travel insurance?

  No, travel insurance is not included in the program fee.

• What if my student becomes ill while abroad?

  Students should contact the on-site faculty program leader. They will be in the best position to assist students and secure appropriate medical attention if needed.

• How do we contact our student in case of emergency?

  Prior to departure, students will be given a list of emergency contact numbers for each study abroad location to share with their family. This list will include contact information for Maryville faculty and staff as well as for our overseas partners.

Student Code of Conduct
Students are required to read, understand, and sign a travel agreement prior to departure. Any student in violation of the agreement may be dismissed from the program and sent home at his or her expense.

Alcohol and Drug Policy
Abuse of alcohol on overseas programs will not be tolerated. Any unreasonable, disruptive, or irresponsible behavior by students abusing this privilege may result in immediate departure back to the United States at the expense of the student or students involved. The Office for Study Abroad has a zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal drug use. Students are subject to the laws of the country in which the program is conducted.

Participants in Faculty-led study abroad programs must:
• Read all materials issued or recommended by the Office for Study Abroad and the faculty
• Attend pre-departure meetings, on-site classes and mandatory excursions unless otherwise excused
• Provide accurate physical and mental health information to the Office for Study Abroad
• Provide accurate emergency contact information to the Office for Study Abroad
• Assume responsibility for personal preparation for the program: learn the culture and laws of the host country, be aware of local conditions when making daily choices and decisions, and comply with the code of conduct.
• Promptly express any health or safety concerns to the on-site academic dean or on-site faculty member

Parent Checklist
• My student is registered for classes
• My student understands how to pay for his/her study abroad program
• My student understands what is covered in the program fee
• My student has a current passport that will be valid for 6 months after his/her return
• My student has submitted all required documents to the Center for Global Education

• Guidelines for Travel Abroad
• Release Form
• Health and Emergency Contact Form
• Passport copy
• Flight Itinerary

• My student understands how to access funds and pay for items while abroad
• My student has obtained sufficient prescription medicine for his/her entire length of time abroad
• My student has obtained airline tickets for his/her trip abroad and has given a copy to the CGE
• We have determined how we will communicate while my student is abroad
• I understand how to communicate with program staff in case of emergency