Parents and Family
Study abroad will likely be one of the most rewarding and challenging events of your son or daughter's college experience, and, as a parent or family member, we know that you want to know as much as possible about study abroad. We have designed this webpage to familiarize you with the study abroad process and answer specific questions. We encourage you to explore other sections of the website as well (for both students and parents) for travel resources and information geared towards making the study abroad experience as successful as possible.The Study Abroad Office at Clemson University is here to support your student while they are abroad and during every step of the process, from initial preparations to returning from overseas. Please contact us if you have any questions about study abroad at Clemson that are not answered on our website.
Financing Study Abroad
Studying abroad does not have to break the bank! The Study Abroad Office works to provide affordable programs to Clemson University students. The programs offered vary in cost, depending upon type of program, geographic location, duration, program inclusions, and the level of on-site support. For a detailed explanation of various program types and costs, please visit our Study Abroad Programs page. We also encourage your student to talk with a Study Abroad Advisor about program costs and options.
In most cases, a student's financial aid can be used to cover the costs of a study abroad experience, including scholarships, grants and loans. Students need to talk with the Financial Aid office about their specific financial aid package and to receive the necessary paperwork. Please keep in mind that financial aid cannot be dispersed before the start of the regular semester at Clemson University. Therefore, for some programs, payments or deferments may need to be arranged until your student's financial aid has been released. Also, please note that students who are participating in a summer study abroad program may have used their full financial aid allocation during the regular school year and may not have additional aid left (except for loans).
In addition to the financial aid that a student already receives at Clemson, there are additional scholarships available specifically for study abroad students! Please visit our Scholarships and Finances page for more information.
Health and Safety
Students' safety and security are the highest priority for Clemson University. The study abroad office has policies and procedures in place to help protect the safety and well-being of study abroad students. All study abroad participants are covered by study abroad insurance for the duration of their program. Study abroad insurance is provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and is mandatory for all students going abroad. For more information about study abroad insurance, please visit our Insurance webpage.
In addition, all study abroad students must attend a Pre-Departure Orientation session which covers important topics such as safety abroad, health, insurance, course registration, cultural adjustments, etc. Students and parents can reference the Pre-Departure Orientation Handbook and review the Health and Safety webpage for additional information concerning health and safety while abroad.
Academics
Study abroad programs are available for all majors at Clemson University, and students can receive academic credit that will go toward their major, minor, and/or general elective credit hours. It is important that your son or daughter begins to plan for his or her study abroad program early so as to ensure that academic considerations can be taken into account. The student should work with his or her academic advisor and a study abroad advisor when selecting a study abroad program.
Students who participate in a faculty-led study abroad program will be enrolled in Clemson University credits while abroad. Grades received while abroad will be added to their Clemson transcript and will factor into their GPA (the same as if a student were taking a course on Clemson's campus).
Students who participate in a Clemson exchange program or a third-party program will be transferring back credits to Clemson University. Therefore, these students need to ensure that the credits that they take abroad are equated to specific Clemson credits. This is done BEFORE the student studies abroad. Students will be expected to provide course descriptions and syllabi in order to obtain course credit approvals. Course approvals are completed in each department on campus, and students complete the Request for Approval of Work to be Taken Abroad form. For more information about course credit approvals, please visit our Course Approvals and Credit Transfers page.
Culture Shock
It is normal for your son or daughter to experience some form of culture shock while they are abroad. Culture shock, or the cultural adaptation process, is the challenge of adapting to a new environment, new social, economic and educational systems, as well as unfamiliar foods, climate, and language. While culture shock can be frustrating and challenging, it ultimately builds problem solving skills, better communication skills, flexibility and initiative, skills and characteristics that are highly beneficial for your student as they enter the workforce.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the stages of culture shock. Culture shock can be put into four stages: the Honeymoon Stage, the Frustration Stage, the Understanding Stage, and the Acclimation Stage. Additional information about these stages can be found on the Diversityabroad.com website on Culture Shock and Study Abroad. Once you and your student are aware of these stages, you will be better prepared to deal with them when your son or daughter is abroad.
The key to coping with culture shock for students and parents is patience. Most elements of culture shock are normal and temporary. Do not be alarmed if your son or daughter contacts you in the first few days of being abroad with feelings of worry or regret. They may be overwhelmed with their unfamiliar environment and have not yet learned how to respond to their new surroundings. Your best response is to be supportive and ensure them that what they are going through is normal and temporary. Remind them of their long term goals for their experience.
Many students also report going through "reverse culture shock" upon returning from their overseas experience. This may come as they begin to adapt to jet lag, climate, food, and even language differences. As with culture shock, this process is temporary, and patience is key. One of the best ways for students to overcome reverse culture shock is to get involved on campus. Please visit our Returning Students page for information and opportunities for students to get involved in international activities on campus.
Resources