Parent Perspectives
Coug Parents Provide Insight on Education Abroad
CEA Spain: CEA Global Campus: Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Patrice Ballard - Mother of Collin Ballard
When Patrice learned of her son Collin’s interest in spending a semester abroad she was eager to gather information. She quickly learned that exploring program options and choosing a location to stay for an extended period of time can be a very overwhelming process!
“I was very surprised to learn of the number of programs available,” says Patrice, “but WSU’s Education Abroad advisors do a good job of holding your hand throughout the process. Originally Collin wanted to go to sunny Australia, but after further deliberation he settled on Barcelona, Spain. I was excited he chose a country where English wasn’t spoken; I think it challenged him more to learn a new language.”
API Rome John Cabot University
Dora Duval - Mother of Brianna Duval
For Dora Duval, learning about her daughter Brianna’s interest in studying abroad brought on a multitude of questions and concerns. In fact, her initial reaction was: “It can’t happen. There is no way we can afford it. She will change her mind; give it time.”
But Brianna remained persistent, and so did Dora’s apprehension. “I began to worry about all kinds of things such as her safety and health. What if she gets robbed, or disappears, or somebody does something to her? What happens if she gets really sick or breaks a bone or ends up in the hospital, or even just needs to go to the doctor or dentist while she is there? With all of these questions building up, I didn’t hesitate to purchase travel insurance so she would be covered and taken care of in any of these events.”
AIFS Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Sonya Garret - Mother of Audrey Garret
Sonya’s first reaction to her daughter Audrey’s interest in study abroad was one of excitement and support. “As parents, we felt that the experience of living and studying in a different country and learning a different culture for a length of time, would enrich her life.”
But Sonya did have some concerns. “Our primary concern was how to finance this international experience in addition to Audrey’s other regularly scheduled classes,” she explains. “But, as it turns out, Audrey was willing to take on these financial obligations herself because she believed it would be valuable to study abroad while still an undergraduate.”
Exchange Bilateral Germany: Jacobs University
Valerie Hamacher - Mother of Blair Hamacher
Learning of your child’s interest in studying abroad can stir up a mixture of emotions for a parent. Initially, for Valerie Hamacher, there was a feeling of excitement for her daughter Blair. “It was my daughter’s lifelong goal to study abroad, and this was an opportunity to enable her to fulfill that goal.”
But along with the excitement came concerns. “We asked questions of Blair, researched WSU’s online materials, and communicated with the WSU Education Abroad Office. We also talked to other parents whose children had studied abroad. The preparation process seemed overwhelming at first, but preparing ahead was key to making us, as parents, feel satisfied that we helped our daughter start off her study abroad experience in the best way possible,” Valerie explains.
Student Highlights
Interviews with Cougs Abroad
- Kyle Kelln
Dakar, Senegal - Haley Deking
Chiang Mai, Thailand - Breanna Bart
Grenada, Spain - Melissa Bolieu
Santiago, Dominican Republic - McKenzie Price
Semester at Sea - Brian Keith
Swansea Wales, United Kingdom