The greatest advantage is that he’s gotten quite mature, independent and ambitious. This opportunity gave good motivation to the younger generation in our family.
English Language Teacher in Kyrgyzstan whose son studied at Texas Tech University, in Lubbock, Texas
What type of concerns did you have before your student went to university in the United States?
As a parent, and especially as the mother of a seventeen-year-old boy, I had a lot of concerns.
• First, what challenges might occur as soon as he leaves home? Would he be able to travel that far, change airports, get to his final destination, keep his documents safe, find a proper accommodation, etc?
• Second, would he be able to easily adapt to American student life, new college environment, comprehend lectures and practical classes well?
• Finally, would he learn to cope with household activities? In our culture most teenagers of his age tend to live with their parents and be financially dependent.
To what extent do you continue to be concerned about these things now? Why do you think your concerns have changed? What has helped to relieve any of your worries?
My son has been studying in America for four years. Obviously, this period should be enough for getting adapted to a new place, lifestyle, environment, but not for everyone. First year turned out to be the most challenging for my son. He had to learn to lead an independent lifestyle like being self-organized and taking responsibilities for studying, earning money, and covering daily expenses. Even though there were plenty of ups and downs, he learned a lot. He was able to prove that you can succeed only by hard work. Now, I’m definitely less concerned about the above issues. However, I still do have some worries about his studies.
Even though there were plenty of ups and downs, he learned a lot. He was able to prove that you can succeed only by hard work.
What have been advantages or benefits for your child studying overseas? What have been any advantages for you and your family?
The greatest advantage is that he’s gotten quite mature, independent and ambitious. This opportunity gave good motivation to the younger generation in our family.
How do you think study in the United States has impacted your child, so far? Any examples or stories to illustrate this?
As I’ve mentioned before, the first year at college was the most challenging for my son. At the beginning, he was depressed about being far from home, family and habitual things. He was kind of stressed with an overload of information as well. He had to combine studies with work, so he was behind in the class with homework assignments. But fortunately, after first semester, he set clear goals and pulled himself together in order to make success. He had to study double hard, often sacrificing sleeping hours. As a result, he was able to improve his marks from D to A-/+, and was nominated to the Dean’s list.
I would absolutely recommend other parents to send their children to study in the United States if they have this opportunity. Once they let them go, it will open up new horizons, help them build character, and of course, get a good education.
Do you have any advice or suggestions for parents from your country with children considering studying in the United States?
I would absolutely recommend other parents to send their children to study in the United States if they have this opportunity. Once they let them go, it will open up new horizons, help them build character, and of course, get a good education. In the end, I should say that it is better to try and regret than not to try!