Our Mommyhood

If your child has the chance to travel abroad, be it for school or another organization, the thought of letting them go can be incredibly stressful. What will they need? Will they be safe? There are no doubt dozens of questions running through your mind. Here are the things you and your child will need to know before they travel.  There’s everything from visiting relatives overseas to amazing experiences that combine community service with cultural immersion and adventure, such as Visions Service Adventures.

Accommodations

Knowing where your child will be staying can go a long way in making you feel more secure in letting them travel. If your child is staying with a host family, gather their information and contact them before the trip. Get to know them and ask any questions that you feel necessary. Remember, these people will be surrogate parents of sorts.

If your child is staying in a hotel or hostel as part of a group, research the area in which they will be staying. Almost any village in the world has information that can easily be found online. You will be more comfortable with your child leaving if you know a bit about where they will be staying.

Passport and Visas

If your child is traveling to the UK, Europe or Canada, they will only need a passport. Other countries may require that your child secure a student travel visa. The person or agency arranging the trip will no doubt have this information for you. Passports can be applied for at your local post office or at any of the locations listed on Travel.State.Gov.  The site also has general information on international travel and visas. It generally takes four to six weeks to receive a passport in the mail so make sure your child sends in their application with plenty of time to spare.

Communication

You’ll want to be able to get in touch with your child whenever it is necessary. Most cell phones are capable of international calling but not all cell phones have this service activated. Contact your cell phone provider and ask for an international calling to be added to your plan; there may be reduced rates for specific countries.

If your child is taking along a laptop or Apple device, Skype is a great, free way of staying in contact. The software can be utilized as a VOIP service or as video chat. Be sure to download the program onto yours and your child’s computers, smart phone or iPod Touch before they leave so you can practice using it with them.

Currency

Pay attention to currency exchange rates using a website like Xe .  Your child doesn’t have to wait until they get to the airport or their host country to exchange their currency. Watch for the best rates and exchange your currency at your local bank if they provide this service.

The dollar is typically weaker than the pound or the euro, so be sure to sit down and create a budget with your child. Know what will be paid for as part of the trip and what must be paid for out of pocket. By having a budget, your child will be more likely to spend their money wisely and not go broke the first week of their trip.  Consider using prepaid debit cards for them, which can be reloaded by you according to your budget and their needs.

Safety

Safety abroad is just as important as it is at home. Make sure your child understands not to flash their cash, to carry any bags close to their body and never to leave their room unlocked. Look up the number for emergency services where your child will be staying and program those numbers into their cell phone. Accessories like watches and jewelry should be kept to a minimum and for girls, a cross body purse is more secure than a shoulder bag.  Make sure they know the location of the U.S. Embassy and local hospital, and check the web for organizations and services they can reach out to for support.

Look at this trip as an opportunity for your child to grow as a person! Every parent worries about their child’s first trip without them, especially when that trip is to another country. With a bit of forethought and planning, you can ensure that your child will be safe no matter what country they are in.

Author Francesca Santelli is an avid European traveler who writes for cheapholidaysabroad.org, a site to browse for cyprus package holiday deals in the Mediterranean, as well as all inclusive lanzarote holidays in the Canary Islands.

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