Parents
Why study abroad?
Studying abroad may be the best decision that your student makes during his/her college career. In today’s global society, international experience is expected of college graduates and desired by employers. Passports are becoming just as important as resumes in demonstrating recent graduates’ skills, worldview and ability to contribute to future success.
For more information about the benefits of studying abroad, we recommend the following resources:
In addition to exploring another culture, your student will gain valuable skills that he/she can apply to school and the real world. Here are some of the benefits:
Finances
We understand that studying abroad is a family decision, and we keep parents in the loop every step along the way. Studying abroad is an investment in your student’s future and we encourage you to consider the long-term impact of international experience on your student.
LeadAbroad program fees include many of the expenses of traveling abroad. We also offer scholarships and payment plans to those who qualify. Payment deadlines are based on your student’s acceptance date. You can see all payment deadlines and the refund policy on our Policies, Terms & Conditions page. For any further questions on payments or financing, please e-mail our finance team at info@LeadAbroad.com.
Academics
LeadAbroad partners with Oglethorpe University to make it easy for students frOglethorpe Universityom around the US to participate in a LeadAbroad program. Oglethorpe University is a leading liberal arts and sciences university located in Atlanta, Georgia. With its motto, “Make a living, make a life, make a difference,” the missions of OU and LeadAbroad combine seamlessly. Founded in 1835, OU has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges, Forbes’ America’s Best Colleges, and Princeton Review’s Best Southeastern College in its 2014 edition of The Best Colleges. Oglethorpe is a member of the Annapolis Group, an organization of America’s most selective liberal arts institutions. For seven consecutive years, Oglethorpe has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for commitment to and achievement in community service. Oglethorpe competes in the NCAA Division III Southern Athletic Association, and it is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelors and master’s degrees. Through LeadAbroad’s partnership with Oglethorpe University, the faculty is able to focus on their areas of expertise and deliver engaging curriculum to our students. The academic staff leads all academic endeavors including lectures, guest speakers, site visits, discussions, activities and papers. With the help of teaching assistants, the academic staff works closely with students and ensures a challenging classroom environment abroad. From archaeological digs to unearth ruins in Greece to leading international organizations of fellow professors, our faculty are both accomplished and committed to furthering international education. Academic credit for all LeadAbroad programs comes from Oglethorpe University. It is up to each student to follow the policies outlined by his or her home university to transfer the credits. We will work with you and your university to help students navigate the process, but the student is primarily responsible.
Health & Safety
Student safety is our number one priority at all times. The LeadAbroad team takes a proactive approach to safety on all of our programs. Our thorough procedures focus on assessment, education, security, ongoing monitoring, emergency response and communication.
We also work to keep your student healthy while traveling. All students will fill out a detailed medical form as part of their pre-departure paperwork. We recommend that students visit their doctor prior to departure to ensure that they are in good health and up to date on all vaccines. They should also prepare to bring a full supply of necessary prescription medication with them, in the original containers.
During the first week of the program, we will discuss strategies of how to stay healthy while abroad. Good nutrition, sufficient sleep and maintaining balance are all smart ways to stay well. However, we are fully prepared if your student gets sick while abroad. We will accompany him or her to the doctor’s office or urgent care, ensure that they receive treatment and take them to a pharmacy to fill any prescriptions. We accompany every student on every medical visit, so you never have to worry that he or she would need to navigate foreign health care alone. In the case of a medical emergency, our team is well trained in emergency response, and we will ensure that your student promptly gets the care they need. Due to liability concerns, the LeadAbroad team will never administer any over-the-counter medications to your student other than basic first aid supplies.
Policies, Terms & Conditions
You can find all LeadAbroad policies, terms and conditions here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review frequently asked questions by parents and students here! We’ve also complied parent testimonials in the following video. If you would like to speak with a parent of a LeadAbroad alumni to hear more about their experience, we are more than happy to facilitate. Simply email info@LeadAbroad.com.