Study Abroad with a Provider That Has Your Back
Study Abroad with a provider that has your back
If your institution is wanting to plan and send your students on a short or long term educational travel program but needs some assistance in doing so, a study abroad provider can help! Nowadays, there are so many providers to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best fit for your students? Working with the right provider can make a world of difference when it comes to planning for the trip of a lifetime. That being said, it is incredibly important to find a study abroad provider that has your students’ backs and has your institution’s best interests in mind - and this blog will help you do just that!
What to Look For in a Study Abroad Provider
If you are looking for a study abroad provider to partner with, here are a few things to consider when choosing the right one:
Area of focus
Travel destinations
Financial aid and payments
Equity, diversity, and inclusion
Education
Curricular activities
Extracurricular activities
Cultural transitioning
Health and Safety
Area of Focus
Make sure to choose a study abroad provider that aligns with your institution’s educational areas of focus. Does the study abroad organization have programs that fit what students from your school are looking for? Consider the major, minor, or area of interest of students and how they relate to the types of programs and destinations different providers offer.
Destination
Is there a specific location or destination that you want for your study abroad program? Finding a country or city that ties into your school’s curriculum is an important part of creating your study abroad program.
Financial Aid & Payments
Find a study abroad provider that is affordable and accessible. Providers should offer information on financial topics that include:
all costs of participation (this includes meals, housing, excursions, travel to and from the site, etc.)
financing options, financial aid, scholarships, loans, budgeting (including how much extra spending money you’ll need)
currency conversion and exchange rates.
They may also have resources for other funding options, too.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Does the organization prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion?
How has the organization made education abroad accessible to all?
Do they emphasize equity, diversity, and inclusion in their program design, goals, learning objectives, etc.?
Education
A study abroad provider should include education at the core of their program design and implementation. They should work with you to make sure that the programs meet your institution’s learning objectives and goals, while also providing their own regional expertise on traditional and experiential educational opportunities in the program destination. The provider should prioritize education as a focus of their programming to create authentic, value-packed experiences for students.
Co-Curricular Activities
What kind of co-curricular activities and programming does a study abroad provider offer students abroad? Offering co-curricular activities is a valuable way to enrich the study abroad experience while also giving your students further opportunities for cultural immersion and hands-on learning that will provide them with an authentic glimpse into the host country’s culture and norms. Some great examples of meaningful and exciting co-curricular activities include setting students up with local internships, service learning activities with local non-profit organizations, and volunteering alongside host country peers.
Extracurricular activities
What activities should you offer students to participate in outside of the classroom? A good study abroad provider should help you in planning authentic and exciting extracurricular activities that will help students get to know and adapt to their new environment a bit easier. These activities should also assist in fostering new friendships with fellow visiting students and local students alike. A provider may offer outings to local and regional landmarks, immersive experiences like cooking classes or sporting lessons, and opportunities to appreciate the local artists and culture at musicals, concerts, plays, and more. No matter what opportunities are provided, emphasis should be placed on connecting the students with local vendors and culturally relevant activities that can help them gain a better understanding of the country outside of an educational environment!
Cultural Transitioning
Cultural transitioning is an important aspect for students to get acclimated to their new surroundings. It’s completely normal for students to go through an adjustment period in a new cultural setting. It’s important to note that transitions into a new culture aren’t always seamless for students abroad. A provider that plans for this will help with the overall transition. Some of the things providers should offer to you and your students include:
An in-depth overview of the pre-departure process.
Resources on language, educational systems in the host country, cultural norms, attitudes, and practices.
Introductions with the in-country staff members who will be supporting your students while they are abroad.
Local networks and resources that can act as supports for students when they are in the host country.
Health & Safety
When it comes to health and safety abroad, being prepared is important. That means knowing what your study abroad provider can do for your students’ health and safety. Some good questions to ask potential providers include:
How will you help them care for themselves while abroad?
How do you mitigate risk?
What are your emergency and preparedness plans?
Does your organization provide insurance, or will students need to get their own?
What does the provider’s insurance cover if they do provide it?
What will happen in the event that a student must go to the doctor, emergency room, or get medication while abroad?
In Closing…
Working with a study abroad provider that has your back will create a big difference in the level of success your program has. At EdOdyssey, we are fellow educators, avid travelers, and study abroad experts that build successful programs with the student experience in mind. Learn more about our custom study abroad programs and semester programs here.
About Us
EdOdyssey is a boutique study abroad and educational travel provider. We’re educators and study abroad experts that bring decades of collective experience to our programs. We work with colleges, universities, and secondary schools to create customized trips, first year experiences, and semester study abroad programs that are authentic and educational.
Our destinations include Italy, Spain, Ireland, United Kingdom, Peru, Japan, United States, and Canada.
