First Study Abroad Trip: A Quick Guide for Parents
When a child leaves for their first international study trip, parents feel proud… and a twinge in their stomachs. It’s normal: it’s not every day that you decide to send them to another country, with a different language and surrounded by new people. And amid the excitement, questions arise: What do they need to bring? Are they prepared? Have I forgotten something?
Rather than thinking about a suitcase full of things, the key is to prepare for the experience as a whole. This checklist isn’t a rigid list, but rather a point-by-point guide that will help you navigate the process more calmly and give your child what they really need before takeoff.
Documentation and procedures
Nothing is more stressful than arriving at the airport and realizing you’re missing a document. So, the first thing to do is make sure your documentation for studying abroad is in order.
We’re talking about passports, visas for destinations like the United States or Canada, health insurance, exit permits for minors, and any paperwork the host school may require. It’s a good idea to start reviewing this months in advance, as some procedures take longer than expected.
A tip many parents appreciate: make digital copies of everything and save them in the cloud. That way, if any documents go missing, your child will always have a backup to fall back on.
The suitcase: less weight, more freedom
This is often the battleground between parents and children. Parents want to pack “just in case,” and teenagers often want to take half the room. The reality is that you can buy almost anything at your destination, and the important thing is that your child has just enough to be comfortable.
Instead of focusing on quantity, consider adaptation to the climate and type of stay. Spending a school year in Ireland isn’t the same as spending a summer camp in France. Clothing should be practical, easy to combine, and, above all, comfortable for daily wear.
Also remember that a lighter suitcase makes arrival much easier: navigating airports, trains, or buses is easier when you’re not carrying excessive weight. That independence is also part of learning.
Academic preparation
We’re not talking about pencils and notebooks here, but rather about mentality. Children who travel to a school year abroad encounter a different educational system: more participatory, more demanding in oral skills, and, of course, in a different language.
As a parent, the most helpful thing you can do is explain to them that it’s okay if they feel lost at first. There will be times when they don’t understand everything, and that’s okay. The important thing is to encourage them to ask questions, to make mistakes without fear, and to use each class as a learning opportunity, not a constant test.
School supplies can be easily obtained at your destination, but attitude is developed at home.
Health and well-being
Health is another topic that parents are very concerned about. It’s not just about carrying medication in case they need it, but also about teaching your child how to take care of themselves. Knowing when to ask for help, who to turn to if they feel ill, how to use health insurance—these little things give them confidence to navigate a new environment.
Nutrition, rest, and hygiene habits also come into play here. These are simple topics, but it’s a good idea to review them before you leave so they don’t become a cause for concern later.
Communication: not too much, not too little
Maintaining contact with family is important, but there’s a balance to be found from the start. Talking every day via video call may provide temporary relief, but it also prevents the student from fully adjusting.
The ideal is to agree on a routine with your child: perhaps a couple of long calls a week and quick texts when necessary. This way, parents know everything is going well, and the child feels supported, but also has space to navigate their experience independently.
Some parents even agree on a “fixed video call day,” which helps provide structure and avoids the temptation to call at all hours.
Money as learning
For many students, this will be their first exposure to money management outside the home. It doesn’t matter whether you travel with cash, a card, or both: the truly valuable thing is learning how to stay organized.
A good trick is to set a weekly budget. This gives you freedom to decide, but also forces you to think about how you spend. It’s amazing how something so simple can become a lesson in responsibility that will serve you for a lifetime.
Prepare for the emotional
Perhaps the most important part of this entire checklist isn’t what you pack, but what you take with you. Experiencing a school exchange abroad means facing moments of excitement, but also moments of homesickness, loneliness, and culture shock.
Talking about all of this before your child travels is key. Explain that it’s normal to feel awkward at first, that homesickness doesn’t mean being upset, and that asking for help from the host family or coordinator is part of the process. With this preparation, the ups and downs won’t catch them by surprise.
And here’s a key point: conveying that these feelings will pass, and that what remains in the end are lessons and memories that will stay with them forever.
Ready for the journey
The real checklist for an international study trip isn’t just about packing things, but rather a mix of proper documents, practical preparation, academic attitude, health, communication skills, and, above all, confidence.
When parents keep this in mind, the departure at the airport is experienced with less fear and more excitement. Because, after all, what begins as a nerve-wracking trip turns into one of the most enriching experiences a child can have.
At Edacex, we take care of everything to ensure your child’s first study abroad trip is safe and enriching. From documentation to finding a host family, we’re with you every step of the way to ensure a unique experience.
Contact us today and make sure your educational adventure is unforgettable.