Dear  EAP  Parents,      Now  that  your  student  has  decided  to  study  abroad,  you  may  have  some  concerns.  Staying  informed  about  your  student’s  program  is  the  best  way  to  allay  any  fears.  UCEAP’s  website  has  a  “Parent’s  Guide”  online.    Please  visit  http://eap.ucop.edu/ForParents/Pages/default.aspx  for  more  in-­‐depth  information  regarding  the  following  topics.    Do  not  hesitate  to  

Preparing  for  Departure…  Before  departure,  your  student  will  undergo  a  rigorous  application  and  orientation  process.  UCEAP  provides  students  with  an  in-­‐depth  guide  particular  to  their  host  country.  Encourage  your  student  to  share  this  information  with  you,  along  with  the  contact  information  for  UCEAP  and  the  Study  Center  at  their  host  University.  Go  through  the  “Checklist  for  Family  Members,”  provided  by  UCSD  at  Parent  Orientation,  with  your  student  and  ensure  you  complete  all  steps.  

EAP  Policies…  Your  student  must  complete  the  Student  Agreement  and  Waiver  of  Liability  with  UCEAP  prior  to  departure.  Ensure  that  you  and  your  student  understand  the  implications  of  this  contract.  While  abroad,  your  student  is  still  a  UC  student  and  is  subject  to  UC  policies,  as  well  as  UCEAP  regulations.  Students  must  follow  all  policies  or  face  dismissal  from  the  program.  These  policies  are  in  place  to  ensure  the  students’  safety  while  abroad.  Please  refer  to  UCEAP  website  for  specific  policies  regarding  Academic  Conduct,  Student  Insurance,  Program  Suspension,  Sexual  Harassment,  Student  Conduct  and  Discipline,  Student  Privacy,  Student  Travel,  and  Substance  Abuse.    Remember,  your  student  is  considered  as  an  adult  by  the  University.  FERPA  laws  restrict  your  accessibility  to  your  student’s  records.  Please  contact  your  student  directly  for  inquiries.    

Academic  Information…  EAP  students  earn  UC  credit  while  abroad.  During  the  application  process,  students  will  pick  possible  courses  and  discuss  their  transferability  with  their  College,  Major  Department,  and  Minor  Department.  Students  who  wish  to  receive  GE,  major,  or  minor  credit  for  their  coursework  must  petition  these  courses  upon  their  return  to  UCSD.  Remind  students  to  save  all  their  coursework  while  abroad,  including  syllabi,  tests,  and  quizzes.  

Finances…  Please  be  aware  of  the  payment  schedule  and  the  financial  penalties  for  withdrawal  for  your  student’s  EAP  program.      All  payments  must  be  made  to  UCEAP,  not  to  UCSD.    UCEAP  provides  payment  coupons  to  the  student  to  facilitate  this  process.

UCE      EAP  Parent’s  Guide    

 

 

Supporting  your  Student  While  Abroad…  The  student  will  receive  a  great  deal  of  support  from  on-­‐site  staff  at  their  host  University,  including  academic  advising,  program  details,  personal  issues,  and  a  cultural  orientation;  urge  your  students  to  contact  them  regularly.    Your  student  will  face  multiple  challenges  during  their  first  few  weeks.    Be  patient  and  supportive.    Encourage  students  to  explore  their  new  surroundings,  make  new  friends,  and  immerse  themselves  in  the  culture.      Contact  UCEAP  if  you  are  worried  about  the  well  being  of  your  student.  

Communication…  Modern  technological  advances  make  communicating  with  your  student  easy  and  affordable.    However,  communication  methods  might  not  be  as  accessible  to  your  student  while  they  are  abroad.    Please  keep  this  in  mind  when  waiting  to  hear  from  your  student,  especially  upon  their  arrival.    It  is  essential  that  you  establish  a  communication  plan  before  they  depart.    Gather  all  their  contact  information,  including  email,  address,  phone  number  (if  available),  Skype  screen  name,  etc.    You  may  also  want  to  purchase  you  and  your  student  a  calling  card  to  ensure  communication  if  an  Internet  connection  is  not  available.            

Health,  Safety,  and  Emergencies…  In  order  to  maintain  their  health  and  safety  while  abroad,  students  should  follow  all  pre-­‐departure  instructions  and  keep  themselves  well  informed.  Review  any  health  and  safety  information  that  your  student  is  given  during  pre-­‐departure  orientation.  UCEAP  guidelines  are  designed  to  minimize  students’  risks  while  abroad,  and  therefore,  students  need  to  follow  them.    If  students  travel  on  weekends  or  breaks,  urge  them  to  inform  their  Study  Center  about  their  itinerary;  this  is  important  if  any  emergency  situation  should  arise.    Make  sure  students  take  emergency  contact  numbers  with  them  if  they  travel.    UCEAP  has  an  emergency  24-­‐hour  hotline:  +1  (805)  493-­‐4762.  UCEAP  staff  members  are  trained  to  handle  emergency  situations  and  have  plans  in  place  to  help  the  student  in  any  situation.  

Insurance…  Students  are  required  to  participate  in  the  UCEAP  24/7  worldwide  insurance  plan  while  abroad.    The  plan  will  start  14  days  before  their  program  start  date  and  will  cover  31  days  after  the  program’s  end.    Students  can  have  their  vaccinations  covered  as  well  as  required  medications,  but  they  must  be  completed  within  this  time  frame.    The  plan  covers  health/accident  coverage,  emergency  evacuation,  repatriation,  prescription  drugs,  lost  baggage  or  property,  trip  interruption,  trip  delay,  etc.  

Returning  to  UCSD…  Upon  returning  to  UCSD,  your  student  may  experience  reverse  culture  shock.    In  order  to  reduce  these  feelings,  encourage  your  student  to  stay  in  contact  with  the  Programs  Abroad  Office  on  campus.    Many  events  are  organized  specifically  for  returnees.    We  also  provide  help  with  academic  re-­‐entry.