» Family Guidelines for Chapman Study Abroad

Assurances from the Center for Global Education (CGE):

• All programs have been vetted by Chapman on the basis of academic quality, cultural immersion, and safety. Safety can never be guaranteed, but the CGE believes that ongoing reviews of our program offerings and careful selection can help to mitigate risk.
• The CGE will send information and communication to student applicants throughout the study abroad experience: before, during and post-program. We will also communicate with students’ program, host institution, and faculty as needed.
• All students attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation to prepare them for their term abroad. This includes a health and safety video from the Dean of Students office.
• The CGE hosts an optional Family Pre-Departure Orientation each semester in English and Spanish. Details will be sent to students, who are asked to invite their families. For those family members who cannot attend, the CGE sends students a link to a recorded version to send to their families.
• The CGE is in communication with our partners in the U.S. and abroad who monitor potential social and political unrest and provide your student with instructions regarding how to respond safely if needed. Students should download and activate AlertTraveler App for real time updates.
• The CGE provides the contact information for our programs including emergency numbers available to students for ongoing support or emergency needs.
• You can contact the Center for Global Education during regular university hours. In case of an emergency after hours, call Public Safety at (714) 997-6763.
• The CGE seeks to empower your student to handle most situations independently, but may choose to involve the students’ emergency contact during emergencies. Parents can expect support and timely responses whenever they seek out the CGE’s expertise in situations.

Suggestions for Family Involvement and Collaboration

• Review Getting Started to understand all that is involved with your student’s process to study abroad.
• Discuss with your student their goals and expectations for their chosen program.
• Seek to understand how the program impacts your students’ academics upon their return to Chapman.
• Assist your students with financing and budgeting concerns. Create a plan using the Semester
  Abroad, Travel Course, and International Internship Budget Worksheets which is given to all students when they apply
• Engage your student in a thorough discussion of safety and behavioral issues, as well as the
  Chapman Student Code of Conduct. In particular, speak frankly about the use of alcohol and
  illegal drugs while abroad, as the use thereof is the number one factor in on-site emergencies
  and personal crises abroad.
• Encourage your student to disclose early on any mental health, physical health, or disability
  accommodations. Laws, services, and medications can be different overseas. If students
  disclose early, we can work with them to determine the best fit program and location.
• Establish a communication plan with your student as to when and how often to be in contact
  while abroad. Be aware with the time difference, phone service, and internet connections,
  communication may not be as frequent as in the U.S.
• If your student encounters a challenging situation, encourage your student to bring up issues
  and concerns directly to their on-site staff (e.g., roommate concerns, academic issues, cultural
  adjustment problems, etc.). The skills students gain by addressing and solving their own
  challenges are incredibly valuable and transferable soft-skills they can use later in life! Strive
  to balance the concerns of the student with the advice and expertise shared by their program
  and U.S. staff.
• Understand how FERPA laws affect what universities and the CGE can and cannot share with
  parents and guardians (i.e., certain legal protections regarding the release of personal
  information for adult participants affect what the CGE is able to share).
• Encourage your student to take the lead in the planning and execution of this time abroad,
  but provide support when they face inevitable challenges adjusting to a new environment.
• Discuss any independent travel plans and activities not included in their program, and strongly
  encourage your student to notify on-site staff of upcoming travels in case of emergency.
• Coordinate with your student if planning to visit the host country so as to not conflict with class
  schedules, exams, or excursion dates and special events included in their program. We
  recommend if you are going to visit, do so at the end of the program. At the start of the
  program, it is important for students to participate in orientation activities and navigate a new
  educational system and city with their peers and support from on-site staff to build their
  confidence and independence.