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Studying abroad may be more financially feasible than you think. With the exception of visa/passport fees, insurance, and airfare, the great majority of North Park study abroad opportunities cost almost the same as spending a semester at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥.

Click here for more information:

Cost Comparison Chart

The Office of International Affairs has also compiled a list of  that may be accessible to study abroad students.

Study abroad enables students to grow academically, personally, and professionally. There are many benefits to study abroad, and it can help students to:

• Develop the global mindset needed to balance local and international
challenges.
• Understand different cultures and solve problems while operating in a
different environment.
• Open their eyes to other perspectives and ways of thinking about the world.
• Enhance their proficiency in and practical application of another language.
• Strengthen their adaptability, communication, and team-building skills.
• Increase their confidence, personal responsibility, and independence.
• Enhance their career opportunities.

*Adapted from the IIE Parent Guide to Study Abroad

Depending on their host country, students may have a variety of communication options at their disposal.

• Many have found  an efficient way to communicate with family and friends at home.
• FaceTime, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and other communications apps are both useful and free options if there is Wifi available in your student’s study abroad location.
• Others find an international cell phone (or a US cell phone outfitted with a country specific SIM card) to be a more convenient mode of communication. Host universities may provide help to students regarding purchase of an international cell phone.
• We encourage students and parents to set expectations around communication prior to departure. Setting expectation around how often your student will communicate with you via text, phone call, or Skype, can alleviate worry and pressure to always be connected.

Your student’s well-being while abroad is our top priority.

• All North Park study abroad students participate in a series of preparatory study abroad orientation sessions. In these sessions, they are given details on any  medical warnings or immunization recommendations for the countries to which they are traveling. Students are advised to consult with the North Park Center for Counseling and Health Services, or with a personal physician, prior to travel to determine a specialized prevention plan.
• Students are encouraged to register online with the . Travel registration is a free service provided by the US Government to US citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows travelers to record information about their upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist them in case of emergency.
• While abroad, the Assistant Director of the Office of International Affairs will be in bi-weekly contact with all study abroad students by email. They are also given an emergency phone number at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for 24-hour access to Office of International Affairs staff.
• Immediately upon arrival in the host country, students are urged to complete an Emergency Contact Card with in-country phone numbers and addresses. Students also have access to International Student Services personnel at all host institutions.
• North Park closely monitors all travel warnings issued by the  and will suspend any travel to countries or regions deemed unsafe.

We recommend that you save the following information, in case of emergency, at home or abroad:

• Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Office of International Affairs telephone number (773) 244-5553
• Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Emergency telephone number (773) 244-6200
• Your student’s study abroad program contact information
• The telephone number for the U.S. consulate or embassy nearest your student’s study site
• The telephone number of the U.S. State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizen Services at 1-888-407-4747.
• International insurance carriers telephone numbers and policy numbers
• Your student’s credit card numbers and expiration dates/security codes
• Your student’s passport number and expiration date (it is a good idea to photocopy the information page of the passport)