How to Support Your Child's Emotional Well-being During Study Abroad?

Introduction

Studying abroad is a beautiful experience, and it opens up opportunities for students. It is a thrilling experience full of emotions and also, emotional challenges. It is emotionally challenging for students to leave their homes for the first time. Here, parents play an important role in supporting their child's emotional well-being during study abroad. This transition presents certain challenges for students because they also have to deal with different cultures, expectations of studies, and living on their own. Since these are challenges that come with growth; the encouragement from parents goes along way in making sure the child is safe, secure and ready to do well.

For some reasons a child might feel homesickness, anxiety, stress at the time of departure while starting an international trip. Counselling: Students find it easy to cope with a new country by offering them a support system. Related to this is that a phone call, daily/weekly check-in, and sending care items can benefit the students a lot. In our previous blog post, we talk about ideas for maintaining emotional wellbeing when preparing for our study abroad and for making sure our children stay connected, engaged, and empowered to fulfill their dreams.

Well, how can you make ensure that your child would feel your support while you are on the other side of the world? Let's explore!

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1. Maintain Regular Communication

Keeping in touch is critical! Call your child weekly or daily to assure them of your love and support. It's a saying: the key to maintaining relationships alive is communication, whether this is every day in the form of text messages or weekly video calls. Remember to set up calls to make sure you know what they are doing and how they feel.

• Send video messages
• Set up video calls
• Use family chat groups

2.   Encourage a Balanced Routine

Many students wonder how to cope with emotions and stress. Creating a routine is one of the best options. With a clear structure, it becomes easier to organize and balance time for studies and relaxation.

• Maintain a proper sleep schedule
• Encourage the child to exercise
• Plan a study timetable

Did you know? Students with balanced routines have higher levels of emotional well-being!

3.   Send Comfort from Home

You can send care packages to your child studying abroad. These packages have the essence of home and give the student emotional strength. The parents can send their favourite snacks, handwritten letters, or spices. These gestures will help students stay connected with their homes.

Imagine the look on their face when they open a package filled with their favourite Indian snacks!

4.   Encourage Building a Support Network

Helping your child adjust to studying abroad also means encouraging them to meet new people and build connections. This will enhance their study experience and allow them to learn more.

• The student can join international student groups
• They can participate in cultural events
• The students can build a connection with their roommates.

5.   Educate Them About Emotional Health Resources

Many universities have resources for managing emotional health during study abroad. You can research these resources and encourage your child to get a hold of these resources. These resources include:

• Counselling services
• Workshops and support groups
• Online resources like meditation apps and mindfulness exercise platforms.

Key Fact: Did you know that accessing counselling services abroad is often free or heavily discounted for students?

6.   Encourage Open Conversations About Feelings

Your child may hold off on telling you their concerns or things that bother them, thinking it might ruin your day. However, encouraging openness and willingness to talk about emotional conditions is sometimes a great way of helping students and supporting them emotionally while studying abroad?

• You can ask open-minded questions like, "How are you feeling?" or "Is there anything you want to share?"
• You mustn't judge your child, but you must create a safe place for them to talk.

7.   Plan Visits When Possible

It is not always possible to be there with your child, but you can plan visits to your child abroad. This will only boost their confidence and emotional well-being. With these visits, the students will know that you care and you are there for them.

• You can plan a surprise visit to your child.
• You can travel together and take a trip to the nearby places.

8.   Support Their Independence

As much as you would want to worry and protect your child, it is equally suitable to encourage and trust them. Let them make their own decisions and ensure that they're capable of handling some workload.

• Celebrate their small achievements so that they recognize their progress.
• Do not control your child; only provide guidance wherever necessary.

9.   Stay Positive and Reassuring

Last but not least, a positive attitude and getting reassurance from your child can have a significant impact on your child’s emotional well-being.  

• You can share success stories with your ward to motivate them.
• Stay optimistic even if things look tough.

Key Fact: Positive reinforcement from parents is one of the most powerful tools for supporting students abroad.

Conclusion

It is also important to have parental support when studying abroad. Your child will be able to face challenges more confidently when you keep on checking on them, send them comfort, encourage them to be independent, and console them by being positive. If well supported, your child will definitely have a fruitful and successful study abroad journey.

For additional help, check out our study abroad consultancy and the many options available to students who want to study in the USA, study in the UK, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in Ireland and many other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I want to ensure that my child is as emotionally healthy as can be, so how do I figure out if they are in need of my comforting?

There are common signs like mood swings, avoiding communication, or being negative about their experience.

2. To which online resources for finding emotional support can I turn, and recommend to my child?

You can suggest apps such as the Calm and Headspace because their usefulness cannot be overstated.

3. What symptoms should one look for in cases where their child is emotionally disturbed?

Be on the lookout for behavioral triggers, which may signal that the child is struggling: seclusion, dramatic mood swings, a slip in grades. If you are experiencing any of these difficulties ever consider consulting with a professional.

4. Are there any materials which might be useful for parents, who have emotional problems during their stay in another country?

Indeed, counseling services and Support groups for the children or juvenile cases and even parents are available in most global schools and societies.