My minor child is going abroad

education

When a child thinks about going to school abroad for a period of time, this can make parents anxious, particularly if their daughter or son is still a minor.

Barbara Konstanzer recommends the following: “Right from the start it’s important to support your child in their decision-making process. Where does their motivation come from and why is it important to your daughter/son?” For parents, it mostly means learning to let go a little bit.

It can be helpful to make plans for every eventuality and to prepare together – making contact with the host family or looking at the temporary housing together on Google Maps for example.

“Look at some literature on the host country and learn more – that will provide a degree of security.”

Above all, though, it’s about creating trust, being proud of your child and letting them chart their own course.

“Talk to other parents whose children have been abroad too. The experiences of others may also be able to get rid of some of your worries,” says Konstanzer.

Once you’ve made all the necessary preparations and the child has left, the expert recommends: “distract yourself if you’re worrying and keep living as you usually would! Ultimately something can happen to your child anywhere in the world, not just abroad.”

When it comes to contact via telephone or video chats, not bombarding the child is recommended and instead giving them the chance to settle in to their new home in peace. “As much as is necessary, but not as much as is possible” is a good motto here.

It could also be helpful to know that the fact that your child is away quickly becomes normal. The time goes faster than you think.

Would you like to talk to a professional about this topic? Arrange a free appointment in one of the numerous Austrian family counselling centres.