Students Concerned More About Running Out of Money Than Crime While Studying Abroad
Parents most concerned with the threat of terrorist activity and their children running out of money while abroad; parent opinions similar to what their children thought.
CHESTER, PA, April 21, 2004 -
An online survey conducted recently by StudyAbroad.com discovered that 35.63 percent of students thinking about participating in a study abroad program are most concerned with not having enough money for living expenses while living abroad. The same students claimed that their parents were most concerned with the threat of terrorism and political crimes (30.80%).
StudyAbroad.com, the leading online source of information for study abroad programs, discovered that 25.53 percent of parents that participated in its survey are most worried about terrorism and political crimes occurring in countries where their children are studying, and 19.15 percent are concerned with their student having enough money while abroad.
Several study abroad advisors from around the country say that they receive few calls from concerned parents, but the questions they are asked most often are about credit transfer, overall safety, and financial aid. "Our parents seem most concerned about what their sons and daughters will experience personally," Kathy Walden, Assistant Director for Information Services at Butler University's Institute for Study Abroad says.
The second leading worry for 17.01 percent of students is terrorism and political crimes. The remaining 47.36 percent are uneasy about crime in their neighborhoods (7.58%), housing conditions (6.67%), American stereotyping (6.44%), transportation abroad (4.83%), food and water safety (4.14%), health concerns and communicable diseases (3.91%), economic instability (3.45%), racial, ethnic and religious acceptance (2.75%), and 7.59 percent had other concerns.
Students responding to the survey said that they think their parents are most concerned with the threat of terrorism and political crimes (30.80%), followed by having enough money for living expenses (28.74%). Other fears include crime in their son/daughter's neighborhood (9.20%), health concerns and communicable disease (5.05%), housing conditions and economic instability (both 3.68%), transportation (3.22%), American stereotyping (2.76%), food and water safety (2.30%), and ethnic, racial and religious acceptance (2.07%).
Parents responding to the survey say that terrorism is their biggest fear, followed by not having enough money (19.15%), crime (17.02%), housing conditions (10.64%), American stereotyping and food and water safety (both 8.51%), health concerns and communicable disease (6.38%), and transportation and economic instability (both 2.13%).
Parent responses validate the accuracy of what study abroad advisors have said about parent concerns. "I've noticed a change in parents, that with September 11th occurring, parents understand that these things (terrorist attacks) can occur anywhere in the world," Sarah Turnbull, Program Advisor and Coordinator of Off-Campus Recruitment for Central College Abroad in Pella, Iowa, states.
Michael J. Huettl, father of two college-aged children says that, "No matter where your children are, it is their safety that is your main concern. This will always be a concern, and in some areas of the world it would be a determining factor of whether or not they would go. I do believe that there is as much chance of something bad happening at home as abroad."
Despite their concerns, parents and students are well informed and prepared for study abroad programs through their sponsoring institution. Many programs have on-site directors that are in-tune with the goings on overseas, and advisors give that information to parents and students before and during the study abroad program.
Study abroad advisors stress the importance of the decision of whether or not to go abroad needs to be made as a family. "If the whole family isn't comfortable with sending one family member on a study abroad program, maybe it's not the right time. You can't talk someone into studying abroad, nor should you, if the student/parent has reservations about safety or security. That decision needs to be made by each individual," says Gail Rich, Admissions and Recruiting Coordinator for Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad.
Penny Schouten, a study abroad coordinator at SUNY New Paltz, reiterates Rich's comments. "The decision to study abroad comes down to personal choice. If you fear something happening, you probably shouldn't go. As scary as it might be to go abroad, the experience can shape your whole life for the better." She adds, "I participated in study abroad while I was in school, and I can't imagine not doing it."
About StudyAbroad.com StudyAbroad.com is the Internet's leading source of international education information. It contains directories of study abroad and intensive language programs that are organized by both subject and destination. StudyAbroad.com also includes the Destination Portal Pages, the popular "StudyAbroad.com Handbook: A Guide to Traveling Abroad," discussion boards, financial aid information, and much, much more. StudyAbroad.com is a service of Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. (www.edudirectories.com).
For the full results of the StudyAbroad.com survey or for more information about Educational Directories Unlimited and its products, please contact Matt Ulmer at 484-766-9200 or email mulmer@edudirectories.com.