Building Bridges: Families & Education Abroad CIEE Minneapolis November 2013

Transcription

1 Building Bridges: Families & Education Abroad CIEE Minneapolis November 2013

2 Offices

3 Presenters Darcy Dougherty Parent of Study Abroad Student Antonia Lortis Marketing Director, Learning Abroad University of Minnesota Christine Parcells Advisor, Education Abroad University of Virginia Chelsea Petree Assistant Director, Parent Program University of Minnesota Marj Savage Director, Parent Program University of Minnesota

4 Agenda Today s Parents and Students Theories Everyday Application of Theories Institutional Culture Best Practices for Contact with Parents Defining the Parent Role How can parents hinder? How can parents help? Information Sharing What do parents need to know? Group Discussion

5 Parents and Students Today 24/7 Communication Always online Research Connect with Their Student Use Technology Constantly Anything that happens they ll know about it immediately Top Concerns Safety Career Finances Finances

6 Theories Student Development Theories Students need independence for success Family Systems Theory Families are all interconnected Attachment Theory Family support provides freedom to explore

7 Institutional Culture How does the rest of the university interact with parents? Messages from different offices Assess underlying factors FERPA Traditions Student and family demographics

8 Contact Points UVA Education Abroad Parent Handbook Days on the Lawn (accepted incoming students) Summer orientations Family Weekend General phone/ inquiries

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10 What do parents need to know? Lead with the support services that will be available to their students abroad Value of Study Abroad Curriculum Integration Language a/o intercultural aptitude Student Development Career Integration Resume Builder & Professional Development Campus Career Center

11 Contact Points U of M Parent Program Print newsletter articles Parents can help make study abroad successful Students benefit from off-campus programs newsletter messages Learning Abroad Fair May term courses Parents Weekend participation Workshops; information table Online Website Polls

12 Contact Points

13 Contact Points U of M Parent Program Service-Learning Trips for Families Use trusted provider Affordable and short-term option Collaborative Community service Global Vision School Supplies Drive

14 Targeted Messages Parent are as diverse as our students Transfer Commuters First-generation students International students Low-income students Comfort levels range

15 Contact Points Learning Abroad Center National College Fair Prospective Student Campus Events Host parent orientation session during student pre-departure orientation Create section of website devoted to parents Invite Parent Program to present trends about parents to on-site programming staff biennially Programming Teams Fostering open communication with parents

16 Define Parent Roles BEFORE Program Selection Pre-Departure DURING To visit or not to visit AFTER Re-Entry

17 How can parents hinder? Country choice Program type selection Length

18 How can parents help? They can reinforce our messages Introduce and explain what is likely to happen When it happens, parents feel accomplished that they recognize this behavior is normal/expected When a real crisis arises, they will call Empowering them early leads to semester-long efficient communication

19 Darcy s Story Daughter GAP Year Volunteer Experience China Costa Rica Work/Au Pair Experience France Undergraduate Study Abroad Language in Jordan Study Abroad Development in India Human Rights Student Delegation South Sudan

20 Questions What works on your campus? What did we cover that would work on your campus in the future? What are additional ways that parents and families can help as their students go abroad? What are alternative roles and activities?