There are many different benefits that can result from a study abroad experience. Each student will take something unique away from their program.

A study abroad experience gives your child the opportunity to enhance your studies by adding an international component that is not available on your home campus.

In other words, what better place to learn Italian than in Italy?

Study abroad not only allows your child to learn more about the world outside of the U.S., but also helps them understand their own culture and national identity.

Obviously, time in another country will open your eyes to what else the world has to offer. However, what most students find surprising is how differently they view the U.S. when they return. It's not uncommon for one of our alumni to make a comment like, "We Americans are so consumed with material things!" or "We need to be more laid back in the U.S. - life's too short."

Study abroad will help your child to develop into a more mature, independent individual.

Because they are away from their familiar surroundings, students learn to “think on their feet" and handle new situations that arise. Students find that they become more confident, flexible and adaptable the longer that they are away. Many of our students tell us about how they came back a different person and, for those that we've known personally, we can attest to that!

Study abroad will help students enhance your career prospects and professional goals.

Employers today are looking for people who are globally competent and who can adjust easily to new environments and situations. Graduate school recruiters are looking for individuals who possess honed critical thinking skills and unique educational experiences. If you've read the above three points, you will understand that a study abroad experience can offer your child all that and more!

As you and your child "shop" around for a study abroad program it is important to find the right fit for your personal needs. In a survey of our alumni, the following points came up time and time again when we asked them, "Why did you choose CIS?”

Low cost, all-inclusive package

All our program packages include tuition, housing, medical and accident insurance, on-site orientation, airport pickup, travel and visa advice, official university transcript, and carbon offsetting of round-trip international flight.  Because we use local staff and resources, we keep costs low.

Available 24/7

We pride ourselves on the peace of mind we provide both you and your child. Our site directors, on-site contacts, and 24/7 emergency line ensure that any overseas issue is handled immediately.

Quick application turnaround

We’re the fastest in the industry. You’ll almost always hear back within two business days.

Committed to helping all students get overseas.

Whether your child has a hard-to-find-abroad major, has questions on financial aid and scholarships, has a learning or physical disability and wants some advice on a program, or has any other special need or circumstances, we’re here for them. And, if you have questions, we’re here for you too! Call us, chat with us, e-mail us; we’re available to help in any way we can.

Popular, academically-rigorous, and safe locations

Our program locations are carefully selected to ensure that they are located in popular countries, they are intellectually challenging and culturally stimulating, and, most importantly, stable and safe. All of our program locations are recognized as a safe destination by the US Department of State.

Tips for parents of children studying abroad

We know that whether you are sending your child overseas for the first of the tenth time, it’s nerve-racking as a parent to know that your child is getting on a plane to leave the country, and be far away from home for an extended period of time. Trust us, we know. Right now, the son of one of our staff is in Nepal, and he’s only 15!

We’ve put together some information below that we think will help prepare you for your son or daughter’s experience overseas. For more health and safety information, please visit the Health and Safety section of our website.

 

Know your child's program:

• Be informed and involved in your child’s decision to enroll in a particular program.
• Obtain and carefully evaluate CIS program materials, as well as related health, safety, and security measures.
• CIS has a 24-hour emergency contact number and we recommend that you have CIS contact information easily accessible in case of emergency.
• Make sure you and your child have this information easily accessible. It is on your student's emergency contact card which you should make a copy of and keep with you while your son/daughter is abroad.

Talk with your child about health and safety:

• Discuss with your son/daughter any travel plans and activities that may be independent of the study abroad program.
• Discuss with your child critical safety and behavior issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
• Detailed information on these aspects can be found in the Health and Safety section of our website.
• Keep in touch with your son/daughter while he/she is overseas.
• Contact us with any questions you have regarding CIS's insurance, safety measures, or other issues.
• Be aware that your son/daughter, rather than someone from CIS, may be the most appropriate person to provide you with certain information.

Have handy important contact information:

• Make sure your son/daughter has provided you a copy of the emergency contact card we’ve given them, and go over this with them to make sure it is completely filled out.
• Provide your son/daughter  with all your contact information, including office and home phone numbers, e-mail address, along with the contact information for a neighbor, close relative, and/or good friend that will be able to reach you in case of emergency.

Be informed:

Keep informed about what is happening in the country your child is studying abroad in.

Visit the US Department of State website http://www.state.gov/travel/ for specific information pertaining to an individual country and general information about travel and safety. Here are links to the US Department of State Travel and Safety Information for the countries to which CIS sends students:

Australia
China
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Ecuador
England
France
Ghana
Ireland
Italy
Mexico
New Zealand
Peru
Scotland
South Africa
Spain
Thailand

Be prepared:

• Make sure you have a valid passport in case you need to travel to your child's host country. (Please keep in  mind that if something happens to your child while they are abroad and you decide you need to go overseas, you cannot do this without a passport.)
• Make sure you have a copy of your child's passport.
• Have a copy of your child's emergency contact card.

While abroad, you are not only representing your home country, but CIS as well.  For this reason, we expect all students to behave in a legal manner that is respectful of other people, customs, and property. As a student, you are responsible for researching and understanding issues that relate to your respective host country’s laws, as well as the safety, health, political, and cultural conditions of the host country. While enrolled in a CIS program it is expected that participants will abide by the following code of conduct.  Violation of this code will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program.

Behavior Policy

While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations.  That country may not afford the protections available under U.S. law.  Any student convicted of a crime abroad can expect incarceration and/or fines.  CIS will not assist in legal matters caused by a participant’s use of alcohol or drugs.

Violation of any of the following may result in disciplinary action from CIS:

• Violation of the Alcohol and Drug Use Policy (See below)
• Criminal behavior or violation of local laws, including theft or vandalism
• Violation of rules in effect in the student’s residence
• Violation of rules in effect at the host university
• Repeated intoxication
• Abusive language or behavior toward CIS staff, university faculty/staff, host family, or other CIS program participants
• Sexual harassment
• Disorderly, indecent, or obscene conduct
• Violent behavior
• Damage to CIS facilities, housing, university, hotels, or transportation vehicles
• Plagiarism and cheating
• Falsification of documents or personal records submitted to CIS as part of the application or acceptance process.
• Any inappropriate conduct including but not limited to violation of any CIS policies.

Alcohol and Drug Use Policy

Participants who choose to drink alcohol are responsible for their actions at all times.  Excessive drinking may be grounds for dismissal as it can affect the safety of the group and/or the individual.  Intoxicated students will not be allowed to participate on any CIS excursion or activity, and will not receive a refund for the missed excursion or activity. The use, sale, or possession of drugs by CIS participants is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program.  Any violation of the alcohol and drug policy will be taken seriously by CIS and the participant will be appropriately disciplined.

Disciplinary Action

CIS staff will have an investigation and/or review before taking disciplinary action.  Please note: If a student engages in violent behavior towards any member of the CIS staff, host family, university faculty/staff or other CIS participants they will be immediately removed from the program.

Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to any of the following:

• Notification: CIS may notify the student’s home university of any violation of CIS policies.
• Restitution:  Student may be required to pay for damages or theft.
• Loss of privileges:  Student may be denied permission to participate in CIS activities, excursions, etc. permanently or for a designated time period.  No refund will be given for missed activities.
• Housing termination:  CIS has the authority to remove any participant from his/her residence and/or the program in the case of inappropriate behavior.  If this occurs, the student must then find his/her own housing at his/her own expense.  No refunds for housing payments will be given.
• Probation:  Student may be given disciplinary probation in the case of inappropriate behavior.  Any further violation during probation will result in dismissal.
• Dismissal:  Student may be permanently expelled from the CIS program.  The dismissed student will not receive a refund of any kind.
• Termination of participation does not diminish or otherwise affect the student’s obligation to make any and all payments to CIS.  The dismissed student will not receive any grades or transcript.  The dismissed student may be required to reimburse his/her home university for financial aid received.  The home university may take appropriate action in response to dismissal, such as denying registration, suspension or dismissal from the home university.

We know you’ve got questions, and we hope this FAQ section will be a good start. That said, if you do not find your question answered here, please contact us so that we can answer your question and further improve our this section.

What is the one tip you would advise a parent whose child is studying abroad?

We have found that the most successful students abroad are those who take the initiative to work with CIS. We would advise that you encourage your child to work with CIS directly and not just let you, the parent, call and ask questions. Since it is your child going abroad, they will ultimately be the one responsible once they arrive overseas. Therefore, they should want to be fully involved in the process of going abroad, because once they get to their study abroad destination they will need to be independent.

Will my child be safe while they are studying abroad?

We recognize that safety is one of the most important concerns of parents with children studying abroad. We have carefully selected countries and universities that are considered safe and stable. As part of the pre-departure orientation your son/daughter will be given an overview of the safety issues that you should be concerned with in the country in which he or she will be living. In addition, once our students arrive in country, they will go through an extensive on-site orientation where safety concerns will again be addressed. We ask that as parents you consider talking with your son or daughter about your concerns for their safety. 99% of the time we find that common sense can keep students out of trouble while they are abroad.

Who is responsible for my child while they are abroad?

We do everything in our power to ensure your child is safe and healthy while abroad by providing comprehensive information to them before and during their experience. We also provide your student with an Emergency Information Card before they depart detailing a number of in-country personnel for them to contact should they run into any difficulties. Remember, all of the locations in which we have programs are considered as safe or safer than the U.S. Although we do everything we can to prepare students and keep them informed of health and safety information, it is ultimately your student's responsibility to follow suggestions and guidelines, just as it is their responsibility at home.

How are transcripts for the study abroad program processed?

Your child's transcript will be sent to the CIS office upon completion of their program. We will then send the official transcript to the study abroad office at their home university or department on their home campus which they indicated on their application. The university/department will review the results and send it to the appropriate credit authority on campus. We will also send a copy of the transcript to each student as well. Please remember that the transcript must first arrive from the universities abroad and this will take anywhere from 8-10 weeks after the completion of the program.

How can I get in touch with my child while s/he is abroad?

Students are encouraged to call home immediately upon arrival in their host country to let their family/friends know that they have arrived safely. Prior to leaving the US, CIS furnishes our students with their residential address so that you will have a place to send all of those "care packages"! One other important consideration is finding the best time to call your child. To find out what the time difference is in the country they are living compared to where you are located, please check the website www.worldtimeserver.com. Also, we’ve found that most of our students really like the ease and cost of using skype to “call home” … if you both have a skype account and a headset, you can chat for free!

What if my child's financial aid loans are going to be disbursed after he or she leaves?

It is not uncommon for universities to actually disperse a loan after your son or daughter has already left the US. When they are accepted into a CIS program, we will supply your son or daughter with a financial aid form that your university should complete and then send in to CIS. This form will tell us not only how much aid the student is receiving, but also when the aid will be disbursed and to whom. If the aid will be disbursed to the student after the he has left, you may be responsible for depositing the check and forwarding it to CIS. In order to have the authority to do so, we will include a “Power of Attorney” form in the acceptance packet.

What if the financial aid loans do not cover the whole cost of the program?

Upon receiving the financial aid forms from your university, as mentioned in the question above, CIS will review the forms, and then invoice your son and daughter for the difference in the cost of program and the loans he or she is receiving. Your child will be responsible for paying any difference in cost before she goes abroad.

While my child is abroad, what should they do if they have questions or a problem?

We are always a phone call or email away and will gladly assist students during the time they are abroad. However, due to time differences and distance we find that it is much easier for students to work with the international office at the university abroad. Often, we have found that a problem can be resolved within minutes by working with the international office. Prior to leaving, we will supply your student with local and university contacts and advise them on the best person to contact in a particular situation. All our partner universities are extremely helpful and accessible.

What is unique about the CIS programs?

A quality that sets us apart is our genuine individual attention, which is apparent in our personal service from the time your son/daughter start looking for information until he/she arrives home again.

Furthermore, one of our goals here at CIS is to keep study abroad affordable for as many students as possible, so we strive to keep our prices low. One way we do this is by limiting the excursions included in our program packages and fees so that students have control over where, when, with whom, and for what cost they make special trips.

Finally, we is dedicated to helping our community and lowering our negative impact on the planet. We carbon offset all of our flights, recycle, purchase recycled products, and volunteer in and donate to our community as much as possible. We hope that you choose to work with us because we can’t wait to get to know your child and have them share the amazing experience of seeing the world with you!

More questions?

You might find it helpful to review the prospective student or other FAQs pages. Or, we also recommend that you that you consider ordering "The Parent's Guide to Study Abroad" as published by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. It is a very useful and helpful guide and many parents who have read it comment positively about it.  You may also be interested in reviewing the contents in our online store.