Parent's Frequently Asked Questions
In an increasingly global world, it’s important for students to acquire knowledge and experience interacting with foreign cultures and diverse populations. Global Education programs provide not only a new perspective, but also allows students to develop new skills, independence and the self-confidence needed to survive and succeed in the global marketplace. International experience gives students a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate programs, and also builds foreign language skills and intercultural understanding. The opportunity to live and study overseas—with the help of financial aid programs and our reputable, safe programs—is truly once-in-a-lifetime.
You can search for the Global Education program to learn more about the institution or organization that will host your student. You will find detailed information about the program location, housing, dates, cost, academic focus and available courses on the program brochure page.
Unless your student is under 18 years of age at the time of application, parents or guardians are not required to sign any documents on your student’s behalf. Minor students will be responsible for securing the signature of a parent or guardian on all signature documents. Students age 18 or older are personally responsible for the submission of all application materials and the completion of all tasks. Throughout the application process, students electronically sign several legally binding documents. We encourage parents to view our current information regarding these signature documents online.
Parents and guardians cannot have access to a student’s online application for their Global Education program. However, a student can choose to add a parent's email address to their Applicant Home Page on the Global Education Office website, ensuring that this parent or guardian receives a carbon copy of all email correspondence sent through the application system.
Accommodations will vary. Depending on the program, your student may be living with a host family, in an apartment, dormitory, hostel or hotel. Please visit the program website for specific information regarding accommodation.
For tips and tools, please read Money Management Abroad.
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Living abroad may impact your student’s health. Changes to daily habit and exposure to new areas can have health-related outcomes that will affect his or her ability to enjoy the study abroad experience. Please encourage your student to be honest with him or herself when assessing their health needs and in choosing a suitable Global Education program.
Students should visit any health care practitioners that they regularly see before departure, such as a dentist, gynecologist or optometrist. The ASU Travel Medicine Clinic can help students to obtain any needed immunizations and address regional concerns. In some cases, an appointment with the ASU Travel Medicine Clinic may be required.
If a student needs regular medical care abroad, they should speak to a travel medicine specialist for recommendations on managing their condition internationally. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student to make practical arrangements that address any special medical needs, such as dietary restrictions, allergies, medical prescriptions, psychological treatments and physical disabilities.
In addition, students should verify that needed medical supplies are available in the host country and if not, make plans to carry supplies with them. Students should travel with medications in their hand luggage, in their original bottles/packaging, along with a copy of their prescription. Knowing the generic names of medications can help students fill a prescription overseas. It may also help to take a letter from a doctor at home that includes details about a medical treatment.
Students should have a plan for getting medical care and emergency attention abroad. Medical facilities can vary greatly by region. The U.S. Department of State and CISI Insurance provide helpful information on international medical facilities.
An International Coordinator in the Global Education Office (GEO) will work closely with your student to complete an online application and prepare for departure. ASU students preparing for a Partnership or Exchange Global Education program also receive a comprehensive Global Education Program Handbook, including information on passport and visa requirements, safety and security, academic success abroad and other topics.
GEO has policies in place to deal with student safety abroad, including responding to crisis events, political or social unrest, terrorism, and the threat and actions of war. ASU uses various sources of information to assess risk pertaining to overseas study, and is well prepared to respond to emergencies that impact the health and safety of our students:
- Close collaboration with the ASU Risk Manager and Office of General Counsel
- Careful monitoring of U.S. Department of State travel advisories
- Evaluate global health, safety and security intelligence information, collected from a variety of sources
- Emergency evacuation insurance provided to participants in all Faculty Directed and Exchange programs (as well as many Partnership programs), which includes coverage for evacuation due to political unrest or natural disaster
- Ongoing contact with in-country resources, including our partner institutions, program providers, and government officials
- GEO International Coordinators are available for constant communication throughout the duration of your student’s time abroad to address any questions or concerns
In The Event Of Crisis, the Global Education Office will:
- Attempt to communicate directly with all affected students at the email address and phone number provided by each student.
- Contact our on-site resources (e.g., the International Office at the host university or program provider, the Resident Director) to gather information and assess the situation.
- Contact the student’s emergency contact person(s) as soon as possible after the assessment of the situation has been made.
- Make frequent reports to ASU administration concerning the welfare of our students abroad.
Upon your student's return, GEO will work with the relevant academic units at ASU to ensure that your student receives the correct number of credits and grades for their international coursework. GEO also helps connect returned students with the global community on campus and readjust to life at home.
If a student has a serious medical or legal emergency abroad, the student should:
- Call the local equivalent of 911
- Contact the on-site program representative immediately
- If away from the Global Education program location, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for guidance
- For Students on Exchange and Faculty Directed Programs: call CISI (Medical Insurance provider) at +1-603-952-2660.
- Report situation to ASU Global Education Office. During normal business hours, call +1-480-965-5965. Outside of normal business hours, call the 24/7 study abroad emergency line at +1-480-965-3456 (and press "0" or "9" when prompted to be immediately connected to an ASU Police dispatcher).
Important Contacts
ASU Global Education Office: +1-480-965-5965 (during regular business hours M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
ASU 24 hour emergency contact: +1-480-965-3456 (press "0" or "9" when prompted to be immediately connected to an ASU Police dispatcher)
U.S. Department of State American Overseas Citizens Services: Call +1-888-407-4747 (from overseas: +1-202-501-4444) for answers related to questions concerning:
- Arrest/detention of an American citizen abroad
- Robbery of an American citizen abroad
- Death of an American citizen abroad
- American citizens missing abroad
- Crisis abroad involving American citizens
- After-hours number for an emergency involving an American citizen abroad
Students should also be aware of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
CISI Health and Safety Services
Emergency Assistance Available 24/7 for Students on Exchange and Faculty Directed Programs. Inside or outside the US, call (collect) +1.603.952.2660.
As a parent or guardian, who can I contact with questions or concerns?
Global Education Office
1151 S. Forest Avenue
Student Services Building, Room 278
P.O. Box 874003
Tempe, AZ 85281 USA
Phone: 480-965-5965
Fax: 480-965-4026
General email: goglobal@asu.edu
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm.
Students are required to submit contact information for at least one emergency contact with their online Global Education program application. If you are interested in becoming an emergency contact, please speak with your student about including your contact information in this section of the application. In this online form, your student can also give the Global Education Office explicit permission to discuss academic or financial matters with the emergency contact.
Skype
If a reliable internet connection is available, Skype can be used to call both land lines and mobile phones free of charge.
Google Talk
An online video chat service.
Blogger
Students can use Blogger to create a free blog online where they can post pictures, comments and stories to keep family and friends updated on their Global Education experience.
Time and Date
A useful website for calculating time differences, international calling codes and other travel information.
Many students will want to purchase a cell phone while abroad, which is an easy way to stay in touch with friends at home and in the host country. Many foreign providers offer pay as you go phones at reasonable prices. Buying one that takes a rechargeable SIM card will reduce costs.
International calling cards that offer discounted calling rates to the United States can be purchased in many locations.
The ASU Global Education Office cannot provide personal tax advice to parents.
Please visit the Cost and Payment section of our site for additional information on the costs associated with Global Education programs.