Students with Dependents

Students with Dependents

A dependent includes a spouse, registered or unregistered domestic partner, or child.

Some study abroad programs allow participants to travel with dependents. Deciding to travel with dependents or independently is a personal decision,  that depends on your individual circumstances and what you hope to gain from your experience. If you are considering bringing dependent(s) abroad, you should meet with your campus study abroad advisor to identify potential programs that align with your preferences and goals.

Start by reviewing the list of UCEAP programs that allow dependents. Consider which programs are a good fit academically, personally, and financially by looking up eligibility criteria, program structure, course offerings, housing options, program dates, and program costs.

You’ll be financially responsible for your dependent(s), and you must have adequate financial resources to cover all additional costs. The costs associated with traveling with a dependent are not included in the program budget.

If you decide to take a dependent abroad, you will be required to enter a legally binding Addendum to the Student Participation Agreement with the University of California that outlines your responsibility. The link to the Addendum to the Student Participation Agreement will be available in the UCEAP Portal, under Predeparture Requirements.

TRAVELING WITH DEPENDENTS

You have likely learned to balance multiple priorities while meeting your needs and those of your dependent(s) - this will serve you well in your study abroad planning. 

Considerations When Taking Dependents on Study Abroad

• Program terms and types:
  • Summer programs may be a good option if you have school-aged children who can travel with you during their summer break. However, many summer programs are also intensive, meaning long days filled with classes, required program activities, and program excursions.
  • Quarter, semester, or yearlong programs may work well if you aim to have a long-term, stable experience immersing you and your dependent(s) in a foreign country or area. Research expenses, childcare, and school options as needed. Consider the impact that an extended time away from home may have on you and your dependent(s).
  • Multi-site programs may require different travel documents and vaccination requirements for you and your dependent(s) if you’re traveling to multiple countries or areas. These programs may require finding more short-term housing accommodations in multiple locations.
• Housing: Research options to find a program that allow you to arrange housing that works for you and your dependents. Dependents may not be permitted in all housing types, so you may need to explore alternative housing arrangements. Contact your UCEAP Program Specialist about available housing options, whether dependents can be accommodated in program-arranged housing, and if there are any extra costs for housing dependents. If you are arranging your own housing, use reliable sources to research your destination to maximize familiarity, safety, and comfort.
• Childcare: Many programs won’t allow dependents to participate in program-related activities or excursions. Students who bring children abroad are responsible for arranging childcare during classes, orientations, program-related activities, and study time.
• School for children: Depending on the length of the study abroad program and your dependent child’s age, you may consider enrolling your child in school abroad. It is your responsibility to research and determine if this is possible and/or required in your destination country or area (homeschooling is illegal in some countries or areas). If you plan to enroll a dependent in school abroad, explore your options early and make plans to coordinate the enrollment.
• Travel and personal expenses: You are responsible for covering all costs related to your dependents, including airfare, travel documents, immunizations, health care, insurance, food, housing, childcare, schooling, local transportation, recreational travel, incidentals, and emergencies.
• Travel documents: Travelers of all ages need a valid passport to travel internationally. Passport processing times can range from several weeks to a few months. Visa and entry permit requirements vary by country or region, citizenship, length of travel, reason for travel, and age. Visa/permit processes can be complicated and lengthy, and many will involve fees. It is your responsibility to research what documents your dependents need, and you will be responsible for the application and associated costs.
• Healthcare: The student health center at your UC campus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide information and strategies for traveling overseas. If you are traveling with dependents, contact their primary care physician for travel-related health services. Your dependent(s) may need to obtain vaccinations before departure.
• Insurance: UCEAP strongly encourages you to purchase adequate insurance coverage for any eligible dependent traveling with you. The Addendum to the Student Participation Agreement explains travel insurance coverage options for your dependent(s) and provides directions for online payment and registration.
• Preparing your dependent for going abroad: Culture transition—also known as culture shock—is a common experience for anyone traveling abroad, including your dependent(s). Living abroad with you will enrich their understanding of the world and different cultures, but parts of the experience may be scary. Before traveling, consider reading books or sharing information with them about where they’ll be living.
• Cultural differences: Each culture has its own values and perceptions about parents, children, and families. Depending on your study abroad location, you may be perceived differently than you are used to. This may also vary depending on being a single parent, having a spouse, or based on one’s gender identity or expression. This may also be an opportunity to form special bonds with people you meet abroad since family tends to be a strong cultural value worldwide that manifests itself in unique ways. Research family values in the countries or regions where you are considering studying abroad so you may prepare yourself and your dependents for cultural differences.

TRAVELING INDEPENDENTLY

Considerations When Studying Abroad Without Your Dependents

• Program terms and types:
  • Summer is a common term for student parents to travel without their children because programs have a shorter duration. These programs are often intensive, meaning long days filled with classes, required program activities, and program excursions.
  • Quarter, semester, or yearlong programs offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new environment or develop your language skills. Often, it is more cost-effective to study abroad for a quarter, semester, or year versus summer because summer is an optional term, and there tends to be less or no institutional aid available for students using financial aid in the summer.
  • Multi-site programs involve more travel and living in short-term group housing situations, so these may be easier to navigate while traveling independently.
• Preparing for your absence: It is normal for you and your dependent(s) to experience anxiety as your departure date approaches. Preparing in advance may ease everyone’s transition. Share maps of where you will be traveling, teach them about the culture, and share information about your destination country or region so they can understand the experience you will have abroad.
• Keeping in touch while abroad: Prolonged absence from your dependent(s) can be difficult. Consider arranging a schedule of communications in advance. Many services such as Google Hangout, FaceTime, Signal, WhatsApp, Discord, WeChat, and Zoom are available abroad so you can stay connected to home.
• Emotional support: Counseling and psychological support services are available at your UC campus before you depart and through UCEAP while you are abroad.
• Visits from dependents: Consider having dependent(s) join you before or after your program. Discuss pre-program travel, travel documents, and budgeting with your UCEAP Program team. In general, a mid-program visit from your dependent(s) may take some work to navigate in terms of housing, academics, and your cultural adjustment process. In addition, you may not know your weekly and daily schedules and workload until after you arrive.