Studying abroad is a wonderful, integrated academic opportunity for your student to earn credits toward a degree while developing a global awareness and skill set that employers find desirable. The benefits of studying abroad can be academic, professional and personal:

• earn academic credit toward a degree program
• learn a new language or improve existing language skills
• gain a competitive edge in the job market or for graduate school
• develop intercultural knowledge and abilities
• gain a new perspective on your field of study
• explore cultural differences, and find common values between cultures
• become a global citizen
• develop independence and self-reliance

We’re happy to help you learn more about the study-abroad opportunities through Rollins College and about the entire study abroad process — from research to return.

• Choosing a Program: learn about the different program options, what to consider when choosing a program, and link to program details.
• Academic Policies: learn how credits from abroad are approved and counted, and the academic policies governing study abroad
• Costs and Financial Aid: read about the costs for study-abroad programs, our refund and cancellation policy, and financial aid for study abroad.
• Scholarships and Funding: learn about scholarships that may be appropriate for your student.
• Application Process: an overview of the application process including requirements for application.
• Health and Safety: read about health and safety issues for studying abroad and learn how we prepare students to travel safely and sensibly.
• Preparing to Go Abroad: learn about how we prepare students for their study-abroad programs and gain some useful tips to help your student prepare for departure.
• Program-Specific Pages: each program specific page includes details about exact courses, location, costs, calendar, housing, activities and more.

Parent FAQs

• What study abroad opportunities are available for my student? Rollins offers several excellent semester opportunities through our Rollins and Rollins affiliate programs—destinations range from Shanghai to Paris, and the programs themselves offer a range of options from a focus on an international internship, to language intensive coursework, to full integration at a foreign university, and many combinations therof!  Rollins also currently offers one summer program focused on Spanish language and culture.  Each year Rollins students can also choose from an incredible array of short-term Field Study courses led by Rollins faculty during the winter break, spring break and summer—these courses vary widely in location and academic content, but are always a unique and exciting academic-travel experience. 

• Which programs are best suited for my student? Encourage your student to consider and identify his or her goals for study abroad.  Help your student discuss or reflect on his or her preferences and level of independence.  Study Abroad should challenge students to venture out of their comfort zones, but if they are pushed too far too quickly, the experience may end up being more negative than positive.  Review our “Choosing a Program” brochure (link to document) for a full explanation of the types of programs and the various goals and concerns your student should consider when choosing a program.

• When should my student study abroad? Each student is unique so there is truly no blanket answer to this question.  Students can study abroad as early as the summer before the freshman year, and as late as the second-to-last semester or the winter intersession before the final semester.  Encourage your student to discuss his or her academic plans with faculty and advisors on campus and to consider other commitments, such as extracurriculars and athletics.  Financial planning may influence when is the best time as well: a student may choose to work or acquire a paid internship over the summer in order to help pay for a winter Field Study.  Students will also want to consider professional goals (timing of internships, applications to graduate schools, career planning) to determine when is the best time to study abroad.  Level of independence and maturity may also play a part.  Keep in mind that many Rollins students also choose to study abroad more than once.

• I am concerned about my son/daughter's safety. What can I do to keep him/her safe? It is natural for a parent to be concerned about their child's safety, but worrying too much can be equally burdensome. The most important thing for the parent to do is to be supportive of the decision to study abroad and encourage the student to take heed to all recommendations given in the pre-departure orientation and pre-departure guide.  Rollins College and the Office of International Programs will not send your student to a location that is highly unsafe.  We receive email updates from all the US Embassies/Consulates from around the world and monitor State Department travel warnings issued for particular destinations.  And remember that no place on earth is 100% safe, including the United States.  There are some steps you can take to assist us in keeping your student safe:

  • Make sure to keep a copy of the first few pages of your child's passport and of the pages that include that country's visa. This will be important should he/she lose his/her passport.

  • Keep a ready list of all contact information.

  • Make sure you have prepared adequately so that your student has access to funds while abroad, especially in case of emergency.  Our Pre-Departure Guide covers funding while abroad in detail.

  • Encourage your student to learn about the country he or she will be traveling to—books, films, websites, and music are all wonderful sources that can introduce a student to the host culture.

• Can I travel with my son/daughter or visit them while abroad? The Office of International Programs has no problem with family and/or friends traveling to visit the student abroad during a semester or longer summer program, but you will need to consider the program length, academic demands, and planned activities and excursions.   Typically, family members would not be able to visit during a short-term or Field Study program. It is often best to plan a visit during breaks during the semester, or before or after the official start and end of the program, that way you will not adversely affect your student’s educational and immersion experience.  Visitors can not stay in program housing or participate in program-sponsored activities and excursions. 

• How often should I expect to hear from my student during the study abroad program? On short-term programs students may be so busy that they won’t have much time for phone calls and emails.  In some countries, students may not have easy access to such modes of communication.  Most students returning from study abroad cite independence and self-reliance as qualities they feel they have gained through studying abroad—you can support this development by allowing your student space to focus on the experience and become immersed in the host culture.  Blogs or online journals can be a wonderful way for students to communicate with friends and family and also reflect on their adventures abroad.  Discuss your expectations for communication with your student and set reasonable goals for regular communication.  Contact our office if you need advice about cell phones abroad, skype, and email/internet access.

• I am concerned about money. How much money should I send with my student?  Make sure your student knows their own limits and have discussed their budget and spending plans with you or anyone who will be providing funding or assistance.  Have the student create a budget before he or she leaves for the trip, and take the exchange rate into consideration when setting this budget.  It may help to commit to only spending a certain amount of money per day.  Save any important receipts, and remember that students will want to purchase souvenirs and travel on holidays/weekends, so factor that into the budget.  Students can often get student discounts by using a student ID or an International Student ID Card (abbreviated as an ISIC card).  Most students travel while they are abroad, and you can definitely be a budget traveler.  Guidebooks and student-oriented websites are great places to start.  Youth hostels are inexpensive and these days have reviews posted online so you can compare prices and amenities.

Still have questions? Contact us by phone or e-mail.  We are always happy to speak with you and answer your questions.