How to Convince Parents to Study Abroad?

• Sakal India Foundation
• February 10, 2022
• Post Views: 950

Gaining international exposure is becoming more popular amongst high schoolers, college students, and recent grads. Apart from a travel experience, the youngsters also want to boost their resumes & skills that make them stand out.

The quest of getting approval from parents to Study Abroad may sometimes become difficult, especially for first-generation students or students who come from families that don’t travel much in foreign countries.

Going to study abroad is a significant decision taken after much consideration. In most cases, studying abroad is not an individual decision and needs the backing of the family. The reasons for this are many – financial, emotional, and many more.

How to convince your Parents to let you Study Abroad

Studying abroad is the gift that keeps on giving, and here are some tips that hopefully help you convince your parents to allow you to study abroad:

1. First, convince yourself why you want to Study Abroad:

If you are not clear about your plans and goals, it will be very difficult for you to convince your parents to let you go abroad. You need to have an explicit vision, and you should ask yourself a few questions before you consider studying abroad. If you have plausible answers to these questions, you can also convince your parents.

2. Become More Self-Sufficient:

Your parents will not get convinced if they know you can’t look after yourself. If you can’t take care of yourself or are not open to sharing a room with strangers, your parents will not readily accept your proposal. Getting good marks, helping your parents out with household duties, and staying out of trouble are all good starting points. If you want parents to treat you like a grown-up, then act like one and take responsibility in every aspect of your life.

3. Research Everything:

Before convincing your parents, you need to know everything about the country, college, admission process, exams, scholarships, loans and course of your choice. Research is vital in helping you adjust your expectations. Your parents don’t like surprises as far as studying abroad is concerned. They will ask for all the information, so be prepared with all the information about study destinations, fees, university, etc.

4. Plan how you want to present the topic:

You can choose your style of presenting the topic, whether you want to be objective and present hard facts or you can appeal to your parents with proper reasoning. You have to communicate very clearly how studying abroad will help you academically, how it will help you with your career, and help you grow as a person. If they understand your point of view, it may not be difficult for them to support you in studying abroad.

5. List out the personal gains:

Studying abroad and embracing a new culture will help you become a well-rounded adult. Broadening your horizons is crucial by traveling the world, gaining cross-cultural experience, and feeling at home in foreign countries. Learning to adapt to a new environment will also help you become more mature and self-dependent.

6. Show the Academic Benefits:

Show your parents how studying abroad can help you perform better academically. You’ll get higher grades, and some time away from home can help you start the learning with a refreshed approach at college and with a new focus. Getting through the international university with enthusiasm and good grades feels like the cherry on the academic cake.

7. Show the Professional Growth:

When it comes to internships or jobs, having international experience can give you a competitive edge over other applicants. Depending on the job profile, becoming fluent in the international language can be the key to success. Being bilingual can also give you a higher salary, which means you can spend more on presents for your parents.

8. Meet with Someone who has Studied Abroad:  

Among your friends & cousins circle, talk to all those who have studied abroad and ask about their experience. You can even request them to meet your parents and answer their queries about safety and food in a foreign country. They will serve as the best example to your family, and they will have at least one reference point for all the doubts and queries they might have.

9. Make a Financial Budget:

Your parents will be more concerned about the expenses and fees for studying at a foreign university. The parents are fair to be concerned with an additional student loan to be paid off while they are nearing retirement age. To ease their concern, you must make a financial plan on your own. For this, you need to start by first getting a job. You can contribute to the expenses and partially help your parents by funding your stay abroad. You need to save up the money for the upcoming expenses. You need to sit down and figure out a plan to manage all the expenses and logistics.

10. Show your Parents about your Safety in a Foreign Country:

Parents are always concerned about the safety of their children, especially if they are going to study in a foreign country. The Ukraine-Russia conflict is the latest crisis for Indian Medical Students. In this geopolitical uncertainty, parents may not want to send their children overseas to study. Show your parents that you’re taking their worries seriously and research emergency numbers, insurances, etc. If possible, remind them of all the necessary measures taken by the university – things like airport transfers and accommodation – to ensure students’ safety.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve presented your case effectively, your parents can easily see how much work you have done to collect all this information to present to them. Your efforts will show them that you are a mature person who can study abroad halfway around the world.

Looking For an Interest-Free Loan Scholarship to Study Abroad?

Sakal India Foundation has been working for Student welfare, Educational Aid, and Mentoring for almost seven decades. Interest-Free Loan Scholarship is the main initiative of SIF to encourage students to pursue high-quality higher education abroad.

SIF offers an interest-free loan for students who plan to study abroad. The vision was to provide small loans to deserving students who have performed well academically. Applicants from all over India and their strict screening by the select committee of our trustees & experts have maintained high standards in selecting deserving candidates.

Write to us at contactus@sakalindiafoundation.org if you are planning to study abroad and have any queries related to the Interest-Free Loan.