pre-departure preparationpre-departure preparation
It's a delicate balance: making sure your son or daughter is prepared for his or her time abroad, and letting him or her take the lead at the beginning of this new experience. Here is a list of things that should be resolved before departure, and our suggestions for ways to do so:
Student information file
Gather all of the information you and your student might need while he or she is away, including:
- Contact information for
- Your student (if housing has been assigned)
- On-site Resident Director
- Home office of the program provider (ask if they have a 24-hour emergency number)
- Guidance Office contact at home high school
- Citizen assistance section of the embassy or consulate nearest your student's program
- U.S. State Dept. Office of Overseas Citizen Services
- Insurance policy numbers and how to submit claims
- Your student's credit card numbers, if applicable
- Your student's passport number
- Duplicate lost passport kit (your student should take one abroad as well) containing:
- Two passport photos
- Official copy of his or her birth certificate
- Photocopy of passport's photo, signature, and visa pages
- Program calendar
keep up-to-date stateside
You may have to help handle some things for your son or daughter while he or she is abroad, such as:
- Renewing a driver's license
- Registering to vote or requesting an absentee ballot
- Filing income taxes, if applicable
- Paying monthly bills
- Preparing for the next semester at the home school
- Registering for classes
- Preparing forms/applications for college admission