NEW YORK, May 8, 2015—Parents play a critical role in helping their child identify, prepare for and leverage the study abroad experience, but many do not know how to be most effective. Highlighting the importance of knowledgeable yet limited involvement, international careers expert Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, IIE president Allan Goodman, and AIFS president William Gertz, coauthors of A Parent Guide to Study Abroad, have written the first-ever book that arms parents with the right mix of practical information to get involved just enough, while also giving the students the independence to learn and grow on their own.
Released just in time for graduation season and college students’ summer break, A Parent Guide to Study Abroad offers much-needed straight talk on how parents can and should participate in one of the most important decisions of their children’s academic career. This short guide is a must-have for families seeking to better understand the ins and outs of study abroad and how it enhances a student’s path to success in college and beyond. It is a companion volume to the popular book A Student Guide to Study Abroad. Both books are published by the Institute of International Education and the American Institute for Foreign Study Foundation.
“Studying abroad opens our children’s eyes to new ways of thinking about the world. It helps our children learn to solve problems in cross-cultural contexts and supports critical thinking skills,” say Berdan, Goodman and Gertz. “Studying abroad is also one of the best ways for our children to acquire international experience, an increasingly important component to a college graduate’s resume. Parents should do everything they can to encourage their children to study abroad.”
Recognizing that parents are part of what makes education better in every community and at almost every level, the authors make a strong case for the importance of parental involvement that can influence and shape a successful cross-cultural experience, including:
- Clarifying the value of investing in study abroad
- Identifying the right study abroad program
- Figuring out the financials
- Preparing for success abroad
- Staying safe and healthy abroad
- Offering the appropriate mix of support
- Helping your child leverage the experience for personal and professional success
“In today’s interconnected world, one of the best gifts we can give our children is to help them develop a global mindset so that they will be best positioned for success in our competitive, global marketplace,” say Berdan, Goodman and Gertz. “Each of us has either guided, or is currently guiding, our own children to pursue international experiences.”
Print copies of A Parent Guide to Study Abroad are available from IIE Publications for $4.95, with a steep discount for bulk copies for schools to give out to parents (20 copies for $20.00). A Student Guide to Study Abroad can be ordered for $14.95, with discounts of 30%-50% for bulk orders.
Additional resources for parents and students include IIE’s online directory of study abroad programs, IIEPassport.org, and its database of grants and scholarship opportunities, StudyAbroadFunding.org.
IIE’s Generation Study Abroad initiative is working to make it possible for U.S. students from a broad range of backgrounds to participate in an academic, internship or service-learning experience abroad. In the coming year, IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarships will be awarded to students through partner campuses. With funding from IIE, the Government of Ireland, STA Travel, and other donors, selected campuses will make awards of $2,500 each to students to enable them to study abroad. Other campuses have pledged to raise money and give scholarships, and study abroad program providers and host campuses have offered scholarships toward the cost of their programs. For details visit the Generation Study Abroad website.
About the Authors
Stacie Nevadomski Berdan is an international careers expert and award-winning author. Based on her work in more than 50 countries, she counsels companies on global issues, and speaks frequently on college campuses on the topic of global careers. Dr. Allan E. Goodman is the President and CEO of the Institute of International Education (IIE), the leading not-for-profit organization in the field of international educational exchange and development training. William Gertz is the President and CEO of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), which organizes study abroad and cultural exchange programs for more than 30,000 participants each year.
About the Book
TITLE: A PARENT GUIDE TO STUDY ABROAD
AUTHORS: Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, Dr. Allan E. Goodman, William L. Gertz
ISBN#: Paperback: 9780872063778
PRICE: Paperback: $4.95; eBook: Free Download at IIE Publications
PUBLISHER: Institute of International Education and American Institute for Foreign Study Foundation
PUB. DATE: May 2015
Note to editors: Authors are available for interview. Review copies are available upon request.
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