<p>D is scheduled to head for Prague in the fall for a semester abroad. I put the planning in her hands, and was so proud of her independence. Now I find I'm getting a bit frantic -- questions about supplemental insurance, living arrangements, cash vs. credit card, etc. I find she's more comfortable winging it than I am. Any advice from veteran parents out there? How involved were you?</p>
<p>on the issues such as insurance and communication, I was more involved than with other issues. I checked our insurance to verify coverage and also purchased the required supplemental/repatriation insurance. I made sure I understood S’s approach to cell phone service and I asked for copies of other agreements (housing, enrollment, etc.), as I figured there may be some logistical support needed from this end. He made his own arrangements for credit card and ATM access and changed his mind once he was there. But I knew he had something in place before he left.</p>
<p>I think I’d be nervous if this stuff were still in the air in the weeks before the student left, but at this stage, I think you are wise to continue to support your daughter’s progress.</p>
<p>My son is studying in South Africa this semester through a program sponsored by his college. He had excellent guidance from the college regarding vaccines, recommendations for personal safety, as well as help enrolling for the courses at the University of Capetown. My husband helped him choose an appropriate insurance company and policy to cover any accidents or injuries that might come up, but other than that DS handled the other details— plane reservations, his financial matters, what to pack, phone arrangements,etc. Because this was a school sponsored program, housing arrangements were taken care of, although the students do have to cook and shop for themselves as well as manage other housekeeping details. </p>
<p>It has been a great experience so far, and he’s had several opportunities to travel to other countries in Africa on long weekends and breaks. He plans to stay on a bit after the program to travel with a friend to Kruger National Park and Mozambique before he comes home. He’s a junior and will turn 21 this summer.
I don’t know if he’ll ever “need” us again!</p>
<p>I don’t have any pointers for you, ivoryk-- I just want to wish you and your d the best and want to be kept posted of how it goes!! My s wants to do a Jr yr abroad in a yr and I want to hear all about your experiences.</p>
<p>D did a semester in Budapest. Prep was a collaborative effort. (Cf., Hugh Fenneyman in “Shakespeare in Love”: “Who are you?” “I’m the money.”)</p>
<p>Choice of housing was completely hers. Figuring out best ways to transfer funds as needed was a collaborative effort, heavily tilted towards me. Ditto insurance. Local cell phone was her responsibility for scouting options & securing. </p>
<p>I love Prague. I hope your D gets around, including down to Vienna and over to Budapest while she’s there. Krakow got rave reviews as a great “off the beaten path” place to get to but I haven’t been.</p>
<p>If you wind up getting a chance to visit your D, PM me and I’ll send notes on everything from restaurants to worthwhile tourist sites.</p>
<p>Not a veteran, but in the process of getting D1 ready for Sydney. It has been a lot of work because the school does not provide housing, and had very little information for the students. I really didn’t feel comfortable in renting an apartment for her and her friend. I wanted the girls to live at their residential colleges, but they told me it was near impossible to get in, and the application process was tougher than applying to colleges in the US. I kept at it and finally the one we wanted agreed to consider the girls if they could send in their applications in one week. It was during their finals week, but the girls pulled throught (2 recs, transcript, essays…). They were interviewed by the President over the phone.</p>
<p>I unlocked one of our AT&T global phones, she’ll be able to pop in a sim card when she gets there. She will use our credit card for purchases because they don’t charge a fee on my card to use overseas. Just need to find out if they have HSBC branches in Sydney.</p>
<p>D1 has some medical problem that need to be followed up while she is over there, so that’s the only major issue we need to deal with. Our insurance company said she will be covered, and she is also required to have a student insurance with the school. We have some friends there who will keep an eye on the girls. This will be a once in a life time experience for D1. She’ll be at a furthest place away from us. It’s going to be an adjustment.</p>
<p>Your involvment is partially dependent on both the study abroad office at her school here, as well as the agency she is using-if any. My S went on two study aboad programs, but between the study abroad office and the agency, he was well prepared. Some programs have far less support however, and that can be more difficult. </p>
<p>Do they assign housing or a homestay? Does she have to find her own housing? </p>
<p>My kids have always used debit cards from our local credit union for cash while abroad. Having a spare card can be a good idea, as if one is lost or stolen, you’re out of luck, and cash. I had them take a credit card as well, tucked away in case of emergency. Also a few travelers’ checks, as those can be replaced faster if stolen. My D was in the Czech Republic as a HS exchange student, and at least at that time, the ATMs didnt’ show your home account balance-so she had a few overdraft problems. Also ask about foreign exchange fees-they vary with the institution. I think on CC, I read that Capitol 1 does not impose a foreign exchange fee on transactions. </p>
<p>AT&T phones, when unlocked for overseas use, can be changed out with a local sim card. My D bought a Czech phone, and later used it with her plan here. </p>
<p>Insurance hopefully is part of the semester abroad package. The programs always had mandatory insurance plans that were part of the fee. In addition, take an insurance card from home, and checking on what might be covered overseas-just as a backup. My HMO will pay for emergency care. Many students tend to be very well insured while on study abroad. </p>
<p>Note that there is a study abroad forum on CC.</p>
<p>She’ll be fortunate to see Prague-Praha in Czech, when not thronged with tourists. It can be a zoo. We visited in the spring, and was very pleasant to walk in the cool streets, and go into warm places to eat the hearty Czech food and drink beer. Between the food, the music, the architecture, and the beer, I’d go back in a heartbeat, though not in summer. Some tourist sights are closed off season. Tell her to get out of Prague, as there are stunningly beautiful smaller towns and cities all over the country, as well as opportunities for canoeing, skiing, hiking, and theraputic baths at the old resorts toward Germany. </p>
<p>Your post is reminding me to ask some questions myself-another D is heading to the Caribbean in the spring for her exchange!</p>
<p>I guess I’m pretty much an expert – at this point my 21 year old d. has traveled abroad 6 time, 3 times for extended stays of 3 months or more. She’s been to Russia 3 times, China once, Switzerland, India – and then some spring break traveling to London & Spain one year, Greece the next. </p>
<p>At this point she is pretty much independent… and I’ve figured out that “no news is good news”. Here are some of my tips.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Insurance: The study abroad program my d. is currently on provides it, but other times I’ve purchased an international medical policy (or she has purchased one on her own). I like International Medical Group - [International</a> Medical Group - IMG](<a href=“http://www.imglobal.com/]International”>http://www.imglobal.com/) - these policies can be purchased on line at any time.</p></li>
<li><p>Money: Probably because my d. started traveling abroad in high school, we have a joint checking account that both of us can access online; my d. also has her own credit card. A debit card with a Visa logo can be used at ATM’s anywhere - but you need a 4-digit PIN traveling abroad. My d. has yet to encounter a place that doesn’t have ATM’s. I like the system because it is easy for me to transfer money into the account if needed, plus I can monitor the activity – if I see anything weird going on, I could respond accordingly. Do let the bank know in advance of the travel plans, for both the credit or debit card – otherwise they could freeze the account if they think activity is suspicious. </p></li>
<li><p>Cell phones: The technology just gets better and better with each trip. For a long time we did the unlocked GSM cell phone thing … but this time around my d. opted to upgrade to a blackberry and an unlimited international data plan. That is $$ (about $70/month) - but its been worth it. My d. also has gotten separate, local cell phones this year in Russia & last summer in India – & I can phone her using a phone card to the cell phone (most European plans do not charge for incoming calls). Or there is Skype when she is connected to the internet. </p></li>
<li><p>Passports: before your kid takes off, get a photocopy of the passport and any visas – that way in case the passport is lost or stolen, you’ll have the info you might need to replace it. </p></li>
<li><p>Packing: the less your kid takes the happier she will be. Amazingly enough, they sell clothing and cosmetics in just about every part of the world where the kid is likely to travel - so its safe to pack the bare minimum.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Many people have said about 4 digit pin to work overseas. I have a 6 digit pin with my atm card, and I’ve always been able to use it anywhere. I have used it with my own bank’s ATM and foreign banks.</p>