Parent Tips

Contact Information is Important

• Make sure your student has provided you with several different contact methods, including the CEA office in the U.S. and on-site, your student's home and cell phone numbers, and an e-mail address.
• Provide your student with all your contact information, including office and home phone numbers, e-mail, along with the contact information for a neighbor, close relative, and/or good friend who will be able to reach you in case of emergency.
• Encourage your student to provide CEA with your contact information as well.

Communicating about Health and Safety

• Discuss with your student any travel plans and activities that may be independent of the study abroad program.
• Engage your student in a thorough discussion of safety and behavior issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
• Be responsive to requests from CEA for information regarding your student.
• Keep in touch with your student.
• Contact us about any questions you have regarding CEA's insurance, safety measures and other issues.
• Be aware that your student, rather than someone from CEA, may be the most appropriate person to provide you with certain information.

Know Your Student's Program

• Be informed and involved in your student's decision to enroll in a particular program.
• Obtain and carefully evaluate CEA program materials, as well as related health, safety and security measures.
• Have CEA contact information easily accessible in case of emergency. CEA has 24-hour contact information available by calling the main number.

Be Informed

• Keep informed about what is happening in your student's country.
• Check out the State Department website for specific information pertaining to an individual country and general information about travel and safety.
• Read the foreign press. Many foreign press websites now host an English language version.

Be Prepared

• Have a valid passport.
• Make sure you have a copy of your student's passport.
• Purchase flexible tickets for your student.
• Have your student leave a flight itinerary with you.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact CEA at 800-266-4441 or e-mail us.