Studying abroad is one of the most rewarding opportunities students can experience while in college, and so it is important that students from all backgrounds gain the necessary information to help them take advantage of this opportunity. Study abroad can make a significant impact on a student’s understanding of the rest of the world, while students who study abroad also make an impact on others—including citizens of other countries, other US college and university students, as well as members of their home community and family networks. For those students who do study abroad, this experience is not only an academic highlight of their undergraduate or graduate studies but it’s also a very marketable experience for their resume when applying for jobs, advanced degrees, scholarships and fellowships.

Some of the reasons students give regarding their decision not to study abroad are related to program costs, needing to remain close to family, concerns about discrimination, and concerns about language and program sites not being of interest. These reasons affect participation in study abroad across cross-racial and ethnic lines, therefore it is important to be supportive of your child and to work together as you provide advice and guidance while they investigate all of their options. With proper planning and support, all students can and should participate in a study abroad program.

Allabroad.us offers students from diverse backgrounds and their parents a place to find answers to their common study abroad questions and concerns such as where to study abroad and how long, how financial aid may factor into paying for this opportunity, health and safety issues, and availability of support services while abroad. Mentors from across the United States who have studied abroad and understand the process have provided answers to these and a variety of other questions that you and your student may have. Please visit the special section of the website, designed specifically to answer questions and concerns those parents, such as yourself, may have, by clicking the parent tab. Allabroad.us mentors represent the diversity found throughout the United States and in U.S. higher education and we hope that you find their stories both informative and inspiring as you help your child make this educational leap abroad.

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