Study Poland guide for parents

 

Introduction

Studying abroad can be a life-changing point for a child. For parents, deciding to send their child to study overseas can be difficult—requiring lots of planning and consideration. One can choose to send their child abroad at any stage of their studies. It could be during schooling or for higher studies. Whatever the need be, it would be a step that would completely transform your child.

This kind of international exposure can be incredibly beneficial in enhancing the abilities of your child. Not only will it expand their horizons in terms of opportunities, but also they would have greater confidence to deal with the challenges of life. At times, as a parent, you may have to take a leap of faith for your child while sending them abroad. It would be a tough decision, but it would also be your responsibility to support the decision and set the foundation of an excellent future for your child.

While you consider your various options to decide the country for your child’s education, you will realise that Poland can be a fantastic choice. There are many Polish cities with a variety of universities that welcome international students.

Most of the universities have smooth admission processes for outside students, unlike some other countries. Poland offers some prestigious universities that should prepare your child to face the competitive world outside. They provide many degrees and give some of the best opportunities to develop your child’s professional calibre.

A high value of education is offered at a relatively lower cost than other European universities. Moreover, it provides a unique cultural experience for outside students, resulting in significant personal development for your child. The low tuition and costs of living ensure a better educational experience than other countries.

As an ideal parent, it is your responsibility to be an active part of their life decisions. You have to guide them to make the right call of action that will benefit their future. You have to take out a fair amount of time to spend with your child. It will help you get a clear understanding of their needs and motivations in life.

You must have an open mind while discussing your child’s goals and aspirations. Make a conversation with them that makes them open up about their personal life. You must know if the child needs to go to Poland for a career or other personal purposes. Try not to judge them and don’t express discouraging opinions. You have to be positive and encouraging in your tone so that they open up to you.

It is good to ensure through your connections that Poland would be a beneficial environment for your child. Talk to the teachers of your students and ask what they would recommend. It is good to consider your friends and relatives’ first-hand experiences who might have been to Poland or other foreign countries. It would help you understand the challenges involved in travelling beyond boundaries and would prepare you to face them.

Professional counselling is a crucial step before you send your child abroad. Various institutes offer free counselling sessions for fresh students who want to study in foreign countries. Take out some time and set an appointment with your child. A professional counsellor can help you guide through the various obstacles of studying in Poland. You would get a clear understanding of the benefits and encourage your child to study in Poland. Make sure that you get all your queries answered by the counsellor.

After discussing your options with relatives and a professional counsellor, the decision would rest on your hands if you wish to send your child to Poland. You will have to do your research about the different universities and the courses that are offered. You must also understand the type of lifestyle that the country would offer and how it would affect your child. 

Thereby, you will better know your options and accordingly guide your child to make the right choice.

You must have a complete idea of the expenditure that would come with sending your child to Poland to study. Poland is known to be less expensive than in other European countries. However, the universities and the courses you choose can make an enormous difference. You must also consider the cost of living, including food, health check-ups, accommodation, travel and communication.

You must plan the entire trip, including staying in Poland according to the university and course. You must consider your finances as well to decide how long your child can stay. Thereby, you will have to manage the frequency of travelling and other expenses. Make sure that you include all the details in your plan and the finances should well-covered.

Get a complete health examination of your child before they leave for Poland. Ensure to have dental check-ups, gynecological check-ups, and eye check-ups. Poland experiences extreme colds which can be very difficult for foreigners.  Ensure their prescriptions mention medicines for different purposes, so that they may use them later in their new destination. They may also get some anti-virus shots or boosters to improve their immunity against Poland’s stark environmental change.

If your child suffers from any specific condition, you should discuss with the doctors if going abroad would suit them. If there is any particular medicine that has been prescribed, ensure that it is available in Poland. You should keep the original packing intact while packing these medicines.

  • Ensuring safe travel

Sending your child to another country may cause many worries; hence, travel safety is a must that every parent and child must follow. Consider the following tips to ensure safety while traveling-

  1. Get travel insurance. It can come in very handy in case of any emergency.

  2. Your child must have enough emergency supplies, including food items as they may face difficulties adjusting to the new cuisines.

  3. It would great if you enrol your child in a self-defense class so that they are better capable of facing any emergencies.

  4. Have emergency numbers for both parents and child.

  5. Get your child vaccinated against common diseases in Poland.

  6. Every country has a different culture, and you must consider the do’s and don’ts while moving to your new destination.

  7. You must be aware of the local laws and students' rights in the destination.

There are many ways you can send money to your child in Poland. The best way is to transfer funds directly to the kid’s bank account. The child can easily avail the money through an ATM card at any time of the day. Services like Western Union and MoneyGram are among the most popular methods to send money overseas. Wire transfers can also be done if your bank is in the host city.

You can also send international money orders that are cashed at post offices. Or you can also buy a cashier’s check from the bank that has the currency of the host country. These alternative methods may levy different service charges.

  • Methods of communication

Maintaining good communication can be tough from a thousand miles away. Set up different mediums where you can regularly connect with your child. You can use messaging apps and video calling apps. For example- Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Viber are trendy means to communicate through long distances. Try not to call too much and ensure to give space to your child.

  • Setting up your expectations

It is good to decide beforehand when to talk for the parents and the children. This would set up a balanced amount of expectations for both parties. You should know when the right time to call is and when the child would need some space. Let the child settle down in the new destination, and then you can decide the schedule and plans for future communication.

Try not to panic if your child doesn’t respond to your calls. Understand that they may have a hectic day or connection problems. Different time zones can also cause communication difficulties. It would great if you stay flexible with your schedule.

  • Keeping in touch with authorities

The parents must have some means to connect with the authorities of the university. Several institutes offer forums and meetings for discussions with parents. Activities and programs are conducted from where the parents can get a good idea about the university and its work. Parents can keep in touch with student counselors and program authorities to check on their child’s progress and activities. They can also serve emergency contacts when necessary.

  • Providing emotional support

As a responsible parent, you should always be present to serve your child’s needs to provide financial and emotional support. Keep your communication channels open at all times and dedicate time to talk to your child.

Be a good listener and try not to react in particular instances. Your child is bound to have some new adventures or experiences in a different country, which may be shocking. Your job is to stay calm and provide necessary support as and when required. You should have an open mind while they narrate their experiences to you.

  • Creating memories to cherish

It is essential to spend quality time with your child before you send them to their new destination. You would realize that it would become difficult to spend more time together, and hence you must create memories to cherish your bond. Play games, go on mini trips, and spend a happy time together.

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