My daughter is a computer engineering student who did her study abroad in Ireland last summer. It was a life-changing experience for her – in a really good way. I know there were study abroad opportunities back in my day at Tech, but they were nothing like what is available today.
If your student is considering it, we have some pointers for you.
First, check out the Tech study abroad website for ideas and look at the college-specific programs. For example, my daughter worked most closely with the engineering study abroad office.
Take advantage of the informational webinars offered by Tech for families. There will also be sessions for students on campus.
Start looking at options and preferences about a year beforehand. The first decision for your child to make is whether to study, intern, research or do service abroad. There are good reasons for each. Along with that, of course, is the decision of place.
In my daughter’s case, she preferred the Ireland program, in part because it would be based on a campus. She would live in a dorm and be matched with other students (“fellow nerds” as she says). While there, she took one engineering class and one cultural class that included fabulous historical field trips. Classes were only four days per week, so she was able to visit other parts of the country on long weekends. She even took a couple of day trips, one to London and one to Edinburgh.
Once your child selects the place and program, the next steps will include the following.
- Meet with a Study Abroad Counselor or Engineering Program Manager, depending on your student's major.
- Put key dates on your calendar or planner or sticky notes… These will include school application dates, scholarship deadlines, deposit and other payment due dates, class registration dates, program start and end dates, etc.
- Apply to the international program.
- Get info about housing.
- Apply for study abroad scholarships.
- Make travel arrangements.
- Get a Passport (or see if your student needs to renew). Passports need to be valid for 6 months after the end of the program date. So if a program ends in August 2025, their passport needs to be valid until February 2026.
As a parent, I had several questions and worries:
- Is it safe? As I learned more about my daughter’s program, I was reassured about safety when I read that the police there don’t even carry guns. But I also made sure I knew who to contact there in an emergency.
- How do we pay for this? This is a critical factor in planning a student’s international experience. While there are a number of scholarships, my daughter did not receive any. We used her 529 savings and she used some of her savings for spending money. The study abroad office will provide more information as well.
- How do we get the details we need? Thankfully, my daughter received emails and an eBook that spelled out key dates (when to arrive, when to leave, etc.), meals there were included, how to get other food, planned welcome activities, what the climate is like, what the dorms are like, local currency, how to get mail, insurance, available health services, local transportation, packing list, language considerations, and more!
- Should I accompany my daughter to get her settled? My daughter said no, and she was right.
- How do I check in with my child and make sure she is OK when she’s there? We added a short-term international plan to my daughter’s cell phone account so we could talk and text throughout her stay. (The time change was a factor.) We also got to see photos on her social media accounts. I relished seeing her smiles in the photos!
I called this a life-changing experience for my daughter. Here’s why: She made friends who she has stayed in touch with. She was forced to manage her days in an unfamiliar place. She successfully planned and took side trips, including catching the wrong subway and missing her return flight from London with her phone battery dying. She was immersed in a culture that was new to her and appreciated its kindness.
She plans to go back to Europe after she graduates. And the best part is: I will get to visit her this time!
