The Benefits of Study Abroad
A semester living and learning abroad is often one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of a student’s academic career. Students return with a deeper appreciation both of the world around them and their life at home. Students can also gain a number of skills from study abroad which can be useful in their personal and professional lives. These include adaptability, flexibility, cultural sensitivity, open-mindedness, self-confidence, and communication skills. These and other skills gained from study abroad are among the most sought-after by employers, making study abroad a smart move for career development. Here are some videos of what employers have to say about the value of study abroad! (Pro tip: Encourage your student to work with a Career Center coach on strategies for talking about their study abroad experiences with employers.)
One of the potential benefits for students who study abroad is an increased level of resilience. As with any impactful experience that results in personal growth, uncertainties and challenges are to be expected for even the most accomplished students and seasoned travelers. These challenges and setbacks are catalysts for growth, and students will learn best when they can confront issues on their own and find their own creative solutions to the difficulties they face. Unless you believe the safety and security of your student is threatened, we recommend that you encourage your student to solve problems on their own, while providing appropriate emotional support.
Practical Information
Your student’s study abroad experience will unfold through several key phases beginning up to 6 months prior to their intended term abroad:
- Planning
- Application
- Program commitment and conditions for withdrawal
- Pre-departure orientation
- Arrival on site
- Time abroad
- Returning home
Vanderbilt's Study Abroad staff is here to provide information, guidance, appropriate support, and resources during every phase of your student’s study abroad journey. Please encourage them to communicate with us.
Information will be communicated directly to students, so we encourage you to maintain open dialogue with your student about your questions and expectations. The links below may be particularly pertinent to parents and families:
Frequently Asked Questions from Parents
How Study Abroad Communicates with Families
Academic, Withdrawal, and Other Policies
International Health Insurance
Vanderbilt University Registrar's Study Abroad Course Review Page
Travel Health Considerations
Parents are an excellent resource to encourage students to take care of vaccinations and to address any additional medical concerns earlier in the process versus closer to deadlines.
Vanderbilt Study Abroad encourages students to disclose health information/conditions to their program staff. Disclosure ensures that program staff are prepared in advance to support the student, both day-to-day and in the event the student is incapacitated.
International Health Insurance is required for students traveling abroad.
All Vanderbilt travelers should seek out a travel health consultation. The Vanderbilt Student Health Center provides students with Travel Consultation appointments to ensure that students understand any health risks of their travel destination, as well as providing vaccinations and the potential to discuss a care plan for ongoing conditions. Students should plan to book their appointment at Student Health as soon as possible. There is a rush on appointments toward the middle and latter part of each semester.
How Vanderbilt Study Abroad Communicates with Families
Vanderbilt Study Abroad recognizes the important roles parents and families play in students’ lives and education. We are happy to speak to parents and family to answer questions pertaining to the study abroad process. Vanderbilt Study Abroad always places students at the center of our resources and services, and we view students’ ownership of the logistical preparation for study abroad as an important part of their growth experience. To maintain a student-centered approach, our communication with parents and families will be guided by the following principles:
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) limits Vanderbilt and Study Abroad staff in our ability to give out private information regarding students, including grades, program participation, student status, health details, and other information. While we cannot reveal information about students, we can discuss our programs and logistics in detail.
- We believe that the student has a right to know of any discussions about their study abroad. Unless the student’s safety is in jeopardy, Vanderbilt Study Abroad cannot honor requests to conceal the content of conversations with family members from the student.
- Except in cases where it might jeopardize a student’s health or well-being, the student will always be copied on email responses addressed to family members, including email follow-up to phone calls from family members.
- Vanderbilt Study Abroad does not engage in extended discussions with anonymous callers.
When a student opens an application to study abroad, they may provide Vanderbilt Study Abroad with a family contact. Vanderbilt Study Abroad will email the family contact in the weeks following the application deadline to let them know about their student’s interest in study abroad and to provide some resources. We also email contacts later, after most students have selected a program, to draw attention to billing and other logistics. Students can opt out of providing a family contact, in which case we respect the student’s wishes and do not reach out to family members.
Once a student has been accepted into a program, we ask that they designate an emergency contact. This contact may or may not be the same as the family contact. Vanderbilt Study Abroad will notify the emergency contact in the following cases:
- The student is unable to speak for themselves
- The student has been missing for more than 24 hours
- The student is perceived to be a danger to themselves or others
- There is a significant health, safety, or security incident affecting the study abroad program (e.g. civil unrest, mass violence, extreme weather, etc.)