Parents guide for study abroad in UK
Making the choice to study abroad is not too difficult. However, there are many things to pay attention before the journey starts. This article for those parents whom sending their kids under 18 to study one semester or English language study. English language courses are very popular, available in London and country-wide. This blog post will discuss the preparations what students and parents should consider about their study abroad UK. Make sure your children study abroad experience is smooth without any difficulty and you have less things to worry about.
Important documents
Passport
Make sure the passport is valid until the end of the study period.
If the student has no passport yet obviously, apply for one.
If parents will travel with the student, the same apply as mentioned before.
VISA
Apply for the VISA in time! Be advised the VISA process might take up to 2 weeks. Make sure you start the application process in time.
The host institution should provide all the documents (offer letter, acceptance etc.) in time for you.
All the necessary information about student VISA is here: UK Border Agency, Frequently Asked Questions.
Transcripts, offer letters
Prepare all the necessary documents if needed for the enrolment. If you paid the course fee in advance (for instance English language study) make sure the bank transfer details printed out and made some copies.
Make sure you make copy of all documents , passport, visa and so on. Keep one copy with your children and keep one copy with you. This should include copies of their passports, prescription information, id cards, credit cards and so on.
Health and safety
Health check
Health and safety is very important. Make a full health check with a doctor before the trip. The healthcare system is very good and free in the UK but better be safe. If the student has any chronic health problem like asthma or diabetes be sure to prepare enough medicine, inhaler etc.
Travel insurance
I recommend all students to have travel insurance while travelling abroad.
General Information about UK
Gather all the information of your host country, read about the culture and places to visit.
In previous blog post I already gave tips how to travel cheap in UK.
Budgeting
Help your child to create a reasonable budget while study abroad UK. In case of younger students probably the accommodation and food provided by the host family or school. If you leave a credit or debit card with the student, you might let know your bank. Using foreign cards in ATM-s will include extra charges for the international fee.
Contact information
Write down all the contact information, including your children cell phone number, e-mail address, the address of the accommodation abroad and the contact information of the study abroad program and emergency contact numbers.
During the study abroad period
Keep in touch during the study
If possible provide unlocked (network free) mobile phone to your child. He or she can buy a pay-as-you-go SIM and you can reach him on that number. Carrying a foreign SIM and call on this is unnecessary and expensive solution.
Alternatively, the student can buy a calling card and phone you from a landline phone.
Another solution is using on-line phone services like VOIP programs. The most popular is Skype. You can make free pc-to-pc call (even video calls) or you can call UK landline and mobile for a small charge. I mean still much cheaper than make an international call from home.
If your children carry a smart phone (like iPhone or Nokia E71), can call your child on his mobile using Skype services. As far as I know now only the 3 mobile company can provide this service on your phone. If your children will spend more than few months in UK, might consider buying a phone in there. Great deals are often available here.
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Although remember the different time zones so check the local time before wake up your kid in the middle of the night.
Have a backup plan
Prepare a backup plan in case your children lose his credit card or money. Be in a foreign country without money could be very frustrating.
More From Your Study Abroad Blog
- 10 things you should avoid during your study in UK
- Accommodation options for study abroad students in UK
- Cultural shock during study abroad : Part One
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My cousin is going to study in UK and I’ve already sent this article to my aunt. 10x for the information. I’m going to use these links when visiting London in September. Can you please give me more tips for travelling cheap to UK. Now I know I won’t use RyanAir services but what is the best airline to London. Regards
This is really a very good article written by Gabbr. If you need further help or information you can visit thelondonstudy.com for Tier 4 visa updates and other student information.
Thanks
Depends where you flying from… Easyjet is ok I used them many times. You still can use RyanAir if the ticket very cheap but have to check everything (print ticket at home, luggage size and weight etc. )
10x for the fast response. you are right they are very cheap. I looked at their prices more carefully now and they seems good. I don’t know why but I thought that WizzAir are cheaper. I’m not in organizing these kind of things
This is really a very good blog. Neat and clean, easy to understand that really worth-full. Keep it up.
Be sure your student knows if his/her home institution requires that a certain number of credits be fulfilled at the home campus, immediately prior to graduation or he/she may need to spend an extra semester or two on campus after returning from the study abroad location!
First of all i would like to give special thanks to the author to share “Parents guide for study abroad in UK” information.
Each parents have dream to give good education to their child’s. But its true that there is many parents dont know where to send their child’s for higher education.
Its parents responsibility to check where their child’s going to take higher education.