Chapter:
8 - 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 can be difficult, but it’s up to you and what you want 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.

Some programs limit or restrict dependents. Review the list of UCEAP programs with restrictions on taking 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 all expenses associated with your dependents, 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 Memorandum of Understanding with the University of California that outlines your responsibility. The link to the Memorandum of Understanding will be accessible in your UCEAP Portal, under your predeparture requirements checklist once you have been nominated by your campus.

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. Before applying to a program, discuss your thoughts and plans with your campus study abroad advisor to determine the viability of studying abroad with your dependent(s).

Considerations When Taking Dependents on Study Abroad

If you are thinking of bringing dependents with you for all or a portion of your study abroad program, a good program fit is critical to your success. Consider the following:

  • Program terms and types:
    • Summer programs may be a good fit 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, child care, 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: Talk with your program specialist about available housing options for your chosen program(s), whether dependents can be accommodated in program-arranged housing, and any extra costs for housing dependents. Select programs enable participants to arrange their own housing. If this is the case, use reliable sources to research your destination to maximize familiarity, safety, and comfort.
  • Child care: Students who bring children abroad are responsible for arranging child care during classes, orientations, program-related activities, and study time. Please be advised that many programs won’t allow dependents to partake in program-related activities or excursions. All study abroad programs have strict attendance policies.
  • 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 will be enrolling a dependent in school abroad, plan early, inform yourself of options, and coordinate the enrollment.
  • Travel and personal expenses: You are responsible for funding all costs related to your dependents, including airfare, travel documents, immunizations, health care, insurance, food, housing, childcare, schooling, transportation abroad, recreational travel, incidentals, and emergencies.
  • Travel documents: All 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. UCEAP offers some guidance to program participants who need visas/permits for their study abroad program. Visa/permit processes can be complicated and lengthy, and many will involve fees. You will need 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) provides 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 Memorandum of Understanding 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 media 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 a 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 watch media from 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.