Pitching the Idea to Your Parents
Are you convinced that a year abroad is for you, but you're worried that your parents will never go for it? Use some of the points of view that sold you on the idea to help them understand why you want to study overseas. Point out that studying abroad is a chance of a lifetime and that it offers great academic opportunities — including learning a second language.
You might also sell them on the idea that students in study abroad programs gain experiences by being in a new culture, broaden their horizons, and increase their maturity and self-confidence levels. Study abroad students have an educational edge when entering college or starting careers, where language skills, cross-cultural experiences, and global outlooks are becoming essential.
If your parents are worried that you'll miss a year of school, won't get credit later, or will be stuck in a foreign country without help or supervision, look into the details of what arrangements the program has regarding these situations. Many study abroad programs are well established — the American Field Service (AFS) student exchange program has been been around for more than 50 years.
Study abroad students are well supervised. Programs usually have offices in host countries, many with 24-hour hotlines. Host families are chosen carefully to meet specific students' needs.
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