<p>So to answer the OP’s question, one compares the reputation of the host institution, the quality and nationality of the faculty and language of instruction, the outlined course of study, and the accommodations on offer; one checks with the study abroad coordinator; and one asks the students who are returning from those programs.</p>
<p>^I agree with Sop14’sMom.</p>
<p>IMO, study abroad has to <em>bring something better</em> to the undergrad’s education experience.</p>
<p>rhumbob - UCL = University College London</p>
<p>PLEASE ask about safety! Even if your child tells you that they will be mortified by your calling the program director and asking about safety. Ask questions like:
- what are your safety procedures in the event that something destabilizes the country while your child is there
- what hospital is used by the program
- what types of insurance including medical evacuation insurance are available
- if any child has ever died on the program
- what sort of safety training the program director might receive, and how program directors are recruited (average tenure of a program director, whether they are actually affiliated with the institution running the program or are locals who are recruited, or others who are contracted)
- ratio of staff to students
- whether students ever get sent home and for what sorts of infractions</p>
<p>I’ve served in embassies abroad and I’ve seen American students do some nutty stuff, and I’ve seen kids suffer the consequences of their actions. I think there’s an agency which accredits study abroad programs though I can’t remember the name, but if it were my child I’d try to get this kind of data and these types of statistics and I’d speak with the organization myself. Unfortunately, I think we all want to trust our kids, but particularly today with so much instability in the world, I’d want to know that there were trusted people with experience in the country who were responsible for looking after them.</p>
<p>USAC is the study abroad program my daughter’s college was affiliated with. She was in New Zealand directly after the large earthquake. Before we even knew it had happened we received text messages and emails from USAC.<br>
Agree with the above post. I worked for a long time with students from the US studying abroad and foreign students studying here. I could tell some crazy stories. You need to make sure your student understands the difference between their rights in the US and their rights elsewhere. Also to make sure that the program offers on the ground local support.</p>
<p>I still think it is more of a vacation for most kids then as academically stressful as their “regular” classes. </p>
<hr>
<p>D’s classes were difficult, and they were very different from what she was used to. She only had a couple tests, so not much room for redemption - and tough when you don’t know what to expect. In Scotland, you do not begin with 100 points. Instead, you earn every point. No textbooks - just suggested readings and classroom lectures. It was no picnic. </p>
<p>D lived in regular student housing, and her suitemates were from Scotland and England. She mostly hung with other Americans that she met on the plane over, though. She is still friends with them today, thanks to modern technology.</p>
<p>^^^ It is because of this that I would advise any student studying abroad to find out if grades earned in the host country will impact the home college GPA. Differences in teaching styles, syllabus, grading criteria (plus fitting in all the exciting opportunities of being abroad) COULD negatively impact GPA - find out before you apply!</p>
<p>My D was one point away from an A in a 5 credit UEdinburgh course. The grade transferred back & it was her only non-A … kept her from summa cum laude. And she wouldn’t trade her experience for summa if you paid her! :)</p>