How to Talk to Parents about Going Abroad

YOU WANT TO GO ABROAD. NOW YOU HAVE TO TALK TO YOUR PARENTS! 4 Suggestions on how to open a dialogue with your parents so you are prepared.

Going abroad is not only fun and exciting, but also it’s filled with so much opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Your international experience transforms you into a storyteller versus just a series of bullet points on your resume! This experience comes in handy next time you are interviewed to join a college organization, club, job interview, at networking events and even the next time you are home for the holidays talking to friends and family. So, now that you're interested in participating in one of the PINC programs, you need to figure out the best way to approach your parents and open up a dialogue about going abroad.

Remember parents have 2 concerns: Will you be safe? Is this experience worth it?

Follow these tips and your parents will have all the information they need to make an informed decision.

1. Do Your Research.

Any company that brings students abroad will be able to address the concern of safety and investment. (PINC’s response to is listed below!). Also, read reviews about the program on reputable third­party websites. In our case, visit ​GoAbroad.com or ​GoOverseas.com and learn www.pincinternational.com​ | ​info@pincinternational.com​ | 917­667­4648 401 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

what other PINC students have said about thier experience first hand. PINC currently has a 9.94/10 and 10/10 rating (dust off shoulder). Remember to ask as many questions as you would like. The organization should be responding in a timely manner and with generous information ­ it's their job to be there to support you from start to finish. Feel free to ask for an “alum chum” if you want to hear directly from a past participant.

2. Don’t Just Tell Your Parents About the Opportunity. Present the Idea!

We know by now that just telling your parents what you want to do is NEVER the way to go about things. Make time to chat with them when you won't be interrupted and start with “I came across an opportunity to go abroad to build my resume and study Spanish. I would like to talk to you about this. When is good?” from there you can go into various points about the program, for example, ​a general outline of what you’ll be doing on the program, dates, cost and deadlines.

3. Have Purposeful Reasons For Wanting to Go Abroad.

Doing it because it’s fun isn’t enough for your parents. You have to show them how it's valuable now and how it will only continue to be more valuable over a long period of time. Explain how “it won't interfere with your semester classes, other responsibilities, how the timing is perfect and it will benefit me and my future because …” Followed by long­term benefits it will have on you in your college studies, career, and future opportunities. (Please read more below how this investment now will continuously give back to you in the future.)

4. Listen. Be Mature. Stand Your Ground.

Be respectful of your parents’ concerns and listen to them. You’ve done your research and you know that this is the program for you. Now, you need to show them you are mature and will not have a tantrum when the conversation doesn’t go your way. Don’t let the conversation take a wrong turn to fighting. This will only further their argument (concern) that you're not ready for such an experience abroad. This will help no one! Any abroad program coordinator will always make time to talk to your parents if needed. Lisette, PINC’s Founder, has Skyped, met in person and talked on the phone with parents ­ morning, noon, night, weekdays, weekends, holidays (ok you get the point). Lisette is the first to say in a loving manner “No one is crazier than my mother, so I’ll gladly personally address all questions and concerns your parents have. I talk to parents often and totally empathize with their concerns. I come from a big family and it’s filled with girls, so I know all the questions parents will have about their daughter abroad. I personally lived abroad for five years on my own as a young adult and can give a true and honest testament about the city their daughter will be living in. ” www.pincinternational.com​ | ​info@pincinternational.com​ | 917­667­4648 401 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

PINC TALKING POINTS

LET’S TALK ABOUT SAFETY: PINC is made up of 3 principal components: language learning, cultural immersion and professional development. Also, we have systems in place that ensure students are in the know before and during their time in Spain. ​Prior to departure​, PINC organizes an online orientation where participants and director go over all the most important pre­departure details. During this orientation, not only do we talk about what to pack, money, and basic bits and bobs, but also we talk about how students need to enroll in the STEP program. ​Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP gives U.S. Citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Spain and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency.

Upon arrival​, you will have a PINC coordinator to pick you up at the airport and welcome you.

All airports have free wi­fi to connect to, so you can reach the PINC coordinator and your parents to let them know you have landed safely. From there, the coordinator and students head directly to the PINC apartment. www.pincinternational.com​ | ​info@pincinternational.com​ | 917­667­4648 401 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

With regards to housing, we place students in a very centrally­located residence that on a pedestrian street. This location ensures that it is always bustling with people and constantly patrolled by police. Students have their own personal rooms with a lock and key.

Upon arrival, there is a group orientation where we go through how to keep yourself alert and aware of your surroundings to ensure you don't put yourself in any compromising positions. To be honest, Spain is really a safe country. It’s most prominent criminal activity is pickpocketing.

Both Madrid and Barcelona are not known to be violent cities, but we do emphasize the importance of being alert about keeping your bags secure, zipped, in front of you, and to always be aware of your surroundings. We also remind students that all items are replaceable and their well­being comes before any cell phone or wallet.

With that said, PINC also has contacts in the US Embassy in Spain and it's important to note that the US Embassy in Spain has locations in Madrid and Barcelona, only minutes away by taxi from the students’ housing. In addition to arrival, students will receive SIM cards that will allow them to place calls and have a data plan. We also program the numbers of the Director, the Program Coordinator, an English­speaking doctor, and the United States Embassy into the student’s phones.

Finally, there is a Program Coordinator in the city with the students throughout their entire experience. The Coordinator’s job is to be available 24/7 to the students and guide them through the program.

www.pincinternational.com​ | ​info@pincinternational.com​ | 917­667­4648 401 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN PINC: Structure​. It's important to remind parents that you will be in a program that has a flexible structure. You will be given your program outline during your pre­departure orientation. We understand that you also need some independence to explore and take in the city and time will be allotted for that.

Globalization​. PINC ensures that your horizons will be broadened, your language capabilities improved, and your interpersonal and intercultural skills sharpened. You will gain a whole new outlook as well as a unique perspective of the world and of yourself.

Resume​. You will build your hard and soft skills through workshops, talking with mentors, shadowing, and attending networking events that are planned and organized specifically for you. These will make your resume stand out against the rest. Students are left fully prepared to talk about their time abroad at events, career fairs, interviews, and in daily conversation. PINC women return with an understanding of the importance of their experience and how to take back the most to benefit their college and career.

www.pincinternational.com​ | ​info@pincinternational.com​ | 917­667­4648 401 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

Opportunities​. Companies are placing more value on international experience today than they ever have before. Today’s world is a completely global one. Given the widely­accepted impact of globalization and in light of the new skills in demand by businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies, it’s to your advantage to consider the career benefits of the once­in­a­lifetime international opportunity of a PINC program. Going abroad will provide the chance for you to set yourself apart from other job­seekers and to build valuable new intercultural skills and competencies.

Spanish​. By the end of the experience you'll be able to put your level of Spanish on your resume. With PINC, you attend Spanish classes at Instituto Cervantes, which is the highest form of accreditation any language school can receive in Spain. Not only will you participate in these formal Spanish classes, but you’ll also be improving your Spanish with every activity planned, trip, and the countless hours during a PINC program for students to engage on a daily basis in Spanish; from taking the metro, eating out, going to the supermarket, shopping and more.

Alumna​. We continuously stay in touch with students who have finished the program and make them aware of new opportunities that might be of interest to them. We are building our alumna services so that students can be in touch and network with past, current, and future PINC students.

Confidence​. While you may not have a clear career direction at the time you decide to go abroad, research shows that the experience is viewed as very important years later in shaping career mobility and influencing a student’s choice of graduate study or work abroad. So let us here at PINC be your stepping stone to gain this life­changing experience and help you discover more about yourself on a global scale.

Make Memories Abroad & Build Your Resume!

www.pincinternational.com​ | ​info@pincinternational.com​ | 917­667­4648 401 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016