Different Roles, One Route.
Your student leads. You help from home.
Students gain the most from study abroad when they manage it themselves. They choose a program, meet deadlines and solve problems as they come up, both before departure and on the ground. Families play a different part, and an important one.
What Your Student Does
- Explores programs and meets with a Global Education Center advisor
- Completes the application and meets every deadline
- Secures a passport and, where required, a visa
- Attends pre-departure orientation
- Enrolls in the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
- Keeps in touch with program staff and follows their guidance abroad
How You Can Help
- Talk through your student's goals, and ask what they hope to learn
- Help build a realistic budget
- Keep copies of your student's passport, insurance card and itinerary
- Agree together on how and how often you will stay in touch
- Know what to do in an emergency (see below)
The Student Journey
A route with five waypoints.
Discover.
Your student learns what is possible through class visits, Discovery Sessions, and the GCSU Global Passport. A question for you to ask: What would you want to study, research or do somewhere else? Timing: any time, ideally in the first year.
Consider.
Your student compares programs, costs and academic fit, and meets with an advisor. A question to ask: How does this program fit your degree and your budget?
Apply.
Your student submits an application through the GCSU Global portal and applies for funding. A question to ask:Which scholarships have you applied for? Timing: [application deadlines by term].
Prepare.
Your student completes orientation, arranges travel documents and finalizes finances. A question to ask: What is your plan if something goes wrong? Timing: the semester before departure. See our spring webinar below.
Belong.
Your student returns home and joins a community of GCSU Global alumni. A question to ask: What changed in how you see things? Timing: after return, and for years afterward.
Health and Safety. Every program is reviewed against U.S. Department of State travel advisories and university policy before students depart. Students complete pre-departure orientation, carry international insurance, and have 24-hour emergency support throughout their program.
Costs and Funding. Each program lists what its fee covers and what students should budget for separately. In many cases, financial aid and scholarships apply to study abroad, and GCSU Global offers funding guidance at no cost.
Support Before, During and After. Students work with Global Education Center advisors before departure, with faculty directors or partner staff abroad, and with our team again when they return.
Academic Matters. GCSU Global programs carry academic credit toward your student's degree, whether taught by GCSU faculty or through partner universities. Advisors help students plan courses so that time abroad keeps them on track to graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Privacy & Communication
Can the Global Education Center share information about my student's program or application?
Under FERPA, students control access to their education records, so our advisors communicate directly with students. The best way to learn about your student's plans is to ask them. Many families find these conversations are one of the most rewarding parts of the process.
How often should we expect to hear from our student?
Agree on a rhythm before departure, and keep it modest. Students who check in regularly, but not constantly, tend to settle in faster and engage more fully with where they are.
What if my student seems homesick?
Homesickness is common, especially in the first few weeks, and it usually passes. Listen, then encourage your student to talk with their faculty director or on-site staff, who are trained to help. Resist the urge to solve the problem from home. Working through it is part of what your student is there to learn.
What if I have a question this page doesn't answer?
Start with the Family Guide and the webinar recordings. If the question concerns your student's program, encourage your student to raise it with their advisor.
Health & Safety
What happens in an emergency?
Program staff abroad and the Global Education Center follow established emergency procedures, and they will contact the emergency contact your student provides when appropriate. Make sure your student has listed you and that your contact information is current.
What insurance does my student have?
Family insurance resources.
How does GCSU decide where students may travel?
The university reviews every destination against U.S. Department of State travel advisories under its Restricted Travel policy. Programs in higher-risk locations require additional review before they are approved.
Costs & Funding
What does the program fee include?
Each program page lists what the fee covers, typically tuition, housing, and major program activities, and what students should budget separately, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses.
Does financial aid apply?
In many cases, yes. Your student should confirm their eligibility with the Office of Financial Aid and apply for all applicable scholarships.
When are payments due?
[Payment schedule and method.]
Passports & Visas
Who helps my student with a visa?
Obtaining a visa is your student's responsibility. Advisors explain the requirements and timeline for each program during advising and orientation.
What if my student's passport is lost abroad?
Your student should report the loss to program staff right away and contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Keeping a copy of the passport at home makes a replacement faster.
Housing & Daily Life
Where will my student live?
Housing varies by program and may include residence halls, apartments, or homestays. Each program page describes its arrangements.
What if a wallet or phone is stolen?
Your student should report the theft to program staff and local authorities, and cancel any cards immediately. Orientation covers how students can protect their belongings and personal information.
Visiting
Can we visit during the program?
We encourage families to plan visits for after the program ends. Visits during the program can interrupt coursework and the relationships students are building where they live.
Can we stay in program housing?
No. Program housing is reserved for enrolled participants.
Where to Find Answers
The best answers come through your student.
The Family Guide, the questions above and our webinar recordings answer most of what families want to know. For anything specific to your student's program, the best source is your student, who has an advisor ready to help.
Emergencies involving a student abroad
Contact us: (+1) 478-445-4400
FERPA
Georgia College and the Global Education Center comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (often referred to as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment). FERPA is a federal law that affords students certain rights regarding access and release of their education records. For further information regarding FERPA, please consult the Office of the Registrar.