• Realize that the majority of our communications should be directly with your student, but feel free to ask us or the Office of Global Education for clarification or program updates
• Keep open communication with your student about the details of his or her study abroad program that includes, but is not limited to, academic information, travel arrangements, and finances
• Empower your student, through support and guidance, to take the lead in managing his or her own study abroad experience
• Understand FERPA regulations as they apply to the dissemination of student information; please know that for your student’s safety, we are obliged to follow federal law.

• The address and contact information for the campus, as well as his or her new phone number and accommodation address.
• The emergency phone number for the on-site program director (if applicable), which students receive prior to departure
• Your student’s bank account and credit card information, if your student wishes for you to access his or her accounts while abroad
• Copies of travel documents: passport, visa, etc.
• Round trip flight information

As part of the study abroad program, your student will be enrolled in a GeoBlue health insurance plan which will provide him/her with service and protection in the event he/she becomes ill or injured during the program. It is mandatory that all students participating in SHU study abroad programs be enrolled in GeoBlue insurance coverage. The cost is included in the payment of the study abroad fee. Parents can access information about GeoBlue by visiting the GeoBlue Parents website.

In the event of a medical or evacuation emergency, you should contact GeoBlue immediately at 1.800.257.4823 (within the U.S.) or +1.610.254.8771 (Outside the U.S. – collect calls accepted).

Parents are often concerned when they do not hear from their son or daughter immediately after arrival. Your concern is natural, but in most cases, students are quite busy when they arrive to Dingle. Sometimes students are moving from one place to the other, participating in orientations, taking transportation, in bad cell reception areas, sleeping, etc.

Do not worry if you do not hear from your student within the first few hours of their arrival! Your son or daughter will contact you when he or she gets settled in. Be assured that the on-site program staff or the Office of Global Education will always notify parents if there is a serious problem.

We recommend students use their current cell phone with a new SIM card from an Irish cell phone provider if they are here for a semester, which SHU in Dingle will provide. Students can deposit money on them as necessary. We recommend that students Not purchase a contract plan! For short term programs, students generally use their current cell phone with an international plan, although we highly recommend doing research into the cost of this well in advance of the program.

Note: Cell phones are an amazing benefit, but as a direct line “back home” they can also be a real negative deterrent to learning to deal with the new situations. Try to limit cell phone use for “normal communication” — not for constant or excessive play-by -play advice and relating what is going on each and every minute. Give your student a chance to figure things out for themselves, and to live his or her new life. Your student will tell you everything soon enough!

It is very common for a student to experience some degree of homesickness or difficulty transitioning to a new culture when he or she goes abroad – even a student who has travelled previously. Being in a new and different environment is challenging and takes a little getting used to; some students adapt sooner while others need more time. Do not be too concerned if your student has some ups and downs while adjusting to life in his or her new country. Culture adjustment issues are very normal and most students experience them to some degree. A few helpful tips:

• If your student appears to be having difficulties adjusting to new surroundings, please let us know. Often, we are able to provide a different perspective on the situation or arrange for appropriate intervention
• Do not encourage your student to come home or ‘feed’ their depression. Encourage him or her to continue to remain involved; in many cases the problem your student calls you about solves itself within 24 hours. Resist your initial urge to fly over and save the day
• Encourage your student to seek out the people necessary to help resolve the problem and let your student take the lead in doing so
• Ask your student to call you back within the next 24 hours. Usually by that time he or she is feeling better and problems are solved – but your student will often forget to call and tell you that part!
• Remember: Stay in touch – but not too often! The acculturation process will be slow if your student spends too much time texting and talking on the phone to family and friends back home. Instead, encourage your student to spend more time exploring the town, making new friends, and learning the ways of the place.

We understand you want to know what is going on in his or her new life but you need to allow time for your student to acclimate to the new surroundings. Teary phone calls during the first few weeks of a study abroad program are not usually cause for concern, especially if your student is attending classes, eating regularly and going out on program activities and socially with other students. It is entirely normal that your student will call home when feeling lost, lonely and want to hear the comforting and consoling voice of a parent. These healing moments, while difficult for the parent, help your student to work through the adjustment process and to progress in his or her learning and development.

If you notice a pattern in which your student is missing class, not socializing or participating in program activities, not eating, etc., however, you should recommend that your student seek advising and counseling from the our onsite program staff. If you do not think your student is getting the necessary help or he or she is incapable of asking for it, then contact us directly to discuss available options. Most importantly, avoid stepping in to solve problems for your son or daughter and urge them to find a solution on their own. Offer your support and let your student know that you trust them to make the right decisions while studying abroad.