Frequently Asked Questions
Aren’t most countries dangerous for Americans?
How do I contact my son or daughter in case of emergency?
Isn’t studying abroad really expensive?
Is financial aid available?
What is the study abroad administrative fee?
My student is over 18, do I still need to sign the Parent-Student Agreement?
Does my student need international health insurance?
Where will my student live while they are abroad?
How can I ship personal belongings to my student?
What if I’d like to visit my son/daughter?
How should I communicate with my student while they are abroad?
What is culture shock?
Will my student’s credits transfer?
Will my student graduate on time?
Checklist
Aren’t most countries dangerous for Americans?
The United States has a long history of isolationism, and most Americans know what they know not from direct experience in other countries, but from our culture and from the mass media, which tends to sensationalize world events. Few countries, for instance, have as much street crime and the potential for stranger-upon-stranger violence as the United States. In this sense, U.S. students may be statistically "safer" in foreign cities and towns than they are at home or on their own campus. Usually, risks are known well in advance and precautions are taken. If a situation becomes truly dangerous - that is, when visiting students could in fact be in danger, departing programs are cancelled, and groups are brought home.
How do I contact my son or daughter in case of emergency?
You should set up a way to get in touch with your student ahead of time. Depending on where they are located and what type of program they choose, this may be very easy or very difficult. Therefore, it is important to learn as much information as possible from your student's program provider before they leave. For more information about how to communicate with your student while they are abroad, click here.
Isn’t studying abroad really expensive?
It depends on the location and duration of the program your student chooses. For many, it will end up being similar or less expensive than a quarter at Northwestern. For more information on specific programs, check out the program profiles.
Absolutely! Students participating in affiliated programs are eligible for financial aid. Please look at the Financial Resources section for more information.
What is the study abroad administrative fee?
This is a fee charged to all students who plan to receive academic credit (unless they are studying abroad on some Northwestern run programs or Northwestern exchange programs). This fee is in addition to program charges and covers all services related to the administration of study abroad at Northwestern University. For students on non-Northwestern programs, this is the only portion of the study abroad cists that Northwestern keeps.
My son/daughter is over 18, do I still need to sign the Parent-Student Agreement?
Yes. The Parent-Student Agreement is a required portion of the NU Application, and the parent/guardian's signature is required, even if your student is over age 18. The parent/guardian must fill out the information on the first page of the agreement, read the entire agreement, and sign and date the second page. If mailing, emailing or faxing this legal agreement to the Study Abroad Office, both pages must be included. Incomplete agreements will not be accepted.
Does my student need international health insurance?
Yes. See this section for more information. Note that families going abroad to visit their student are also eligible to use HTH Worldwide.
Where will my student live while they are abroad?
Living arrangements vary by program. Check your student’s program page for more information regarding housing.
How can I ship personal belongings to my student?
If you intend to ship personal items to your student, make sure to have them arrive after your student. Specify that the package contains “used personal items” in order to avoid customs fees. Additionally, if you declare the value of the items, your student will have to pay a percentage of that amount upon delivery.
What if I’d like to visit my son/daughter?
Great! We encourage families to visit their students abroad if possible. That being said, be cognizant of when you choose to visit. Generally, visiting at the beginning of the program is discouraged so that the student can learn to adjust to their new environment on their own. Therefore, visiting during an academic break or at the end of the program will probably be most beneficial for everyone. Be sure to have your student check with his or her program about any regulations regarding visitation.
How should I communicate with my son/daughter while they are abroad?
There are many easy and inexpensive ways to stay in contact with your student while they are abroad. The easiest and most widely used is email. Skype is also a popular way to chat over the phone for a nominal fee or through a video conference on the computer for free. Finally, some students opt to get pay-per-use cell phones. For more information about these services click here (communication).The important thing to understand is that you should not be talking to your student too often, so that they will be able to make the most of studying and living abroad.
Culture shock is a term used to describe feelings of homesickness and other reactions to spending an extended period of time in a new place/culture. It can be characterized by periods of frustration, adjustment, and depression. For more information please click here Adjusting to Life in a New Culture.
Will my student’s credits transfer?
Yes. If your student is approved to study abroad by Northwestern and follows all of the directions listed here, in addition to receiving a grade of C or better in their classes, they will be eligible to receive credit for classes taken abroad.
Will my student graduate on time?
Credits earned on study abroad programs are eligible to count toward degree progress and in most cases should not delay your student’s graduation. Your student should meet with his or her academic advisor to make sure that he/she can study abroad and still satisfy the University Residency Requirement.
Checklist (doc)
_____ My student has discussed credit transfer and financial aid with an NU study abroad advisor
_____ My student has a current passport that will be valid 6 months after his or her program ends and a visa, if applicable.
_____ At least one family member has a current passport that will be valid during my student’s time abroad in case of emergency.
_____ My student has obtained enough of his or her prescription medication(s) for the entire duration of their program.
_____ My student has airline tickets for their trip abroad, keeping in mind the arrival and departure dates of their program.
_____ My student and I have determined how often and how we will stay in touch while he or she is abroad.
