• 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 child about the details of their study abroad program, which includes, but is not limited to, academic information, travel arrangements, and finances.
• Empower your child, through support and guidance, to take the lead in managing their own study abroad experience.
• Understand FERPA regulations as they apply to the dissemination of student information; please know that for your child’s safety, we are obliged to follow federal law.

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

As part of the study abroad program, your child will be enrolled in a GeoBlue Health Insurance plan, which will provide them with services and protection in the event they become ill or injured during the program.

All students participating in an SHU study abroad program must 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 child immediately after arrival. Your concern is natural, but in most cases, students are quite busy when they arrive in 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 child within the first few hours of their arrival! They will contact you when they get 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.

For semesters, we recommend students use their current cell phone with a new SIM card from an Irish cell phone provider, which SHU Dingle will provide, as the cost is much reduced compared to buying an international plan with a US Cell provider. Students can then deposit money in them as necessary. We do not recommend that students 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. eSIMs, such as Airalo, can work out more affordably

It is very common for a student to experience some degree of homesickness or difficulty transitioning to a new culture when they go 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 child has some ups and downs while adjusting to life in their new country. Culture adjustment issues are very normal, and most students experience them to some degree.

A few helpful tips:

• If your child appears to be having difficulties adjusting to new surroundings, please let us know. Often, we can provide a different perspective on the situation or arrange for appropriate intervention.
• Do not encourage your child to come home or ‘feed’ their depression. Encourage them to remain involved; in many cases, the problem your child calls you about solves itself within 24 hours. Resist your initial urge to fly over and save the day.
• Encourage your child to seek out the people necessary to help resolve the problem, and let them take the lead in doing so.
• Ask them to call you back within the next 24 hours. Usually by that time they are feeling better and problems are solved – but your child will often forget to call and tell you that part!
•  
• 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 child a chance to figure things out for themselves, and to live his or her new life. 

We understand you want to know what is going on in your child’s new life, but you need to allow time for them 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 they are 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 child to work through the adjustment process and to progress in their learning and development.

If you notice a pattern in which they are missing class, not socializing or participating in program activities, not eating, etc., you should recommend that they seek advising and counseling from our onsite program staff. If you do not think your student is getting the necessary help or they are incapable of asking for it, then contact us directly to discuss available options.

Most importantly, avoid stepping in to solve problems for your child and urge them to find a solution on their own. Offer your support and let them know that you trust them to make the right decisions while studying abroad.