Kevin McCormally: I am Kevin McCormally of Kiplinger's and I am here with Jane Clark an Associated Editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine to talk study abroad programs. Jane, a lot of college students wants to spend semester maybe the longer studying abroad. Is that going to cause their parents a fortune?
Jane Clark: Probably not. There are plenty of programs to choose from including programs sponsored by your child's own school or other universities or outside organizations. So you really have an opportunity to shop around and find a program that's affordable.
Kevin McCormally: Will my student's financial aide package here in the states, carry over and be usable on a foreign program?
Jane Clark: It should be. Actually, your student might end up getting a bigger financial aide package than the program cost. In which case, he can use it travel or his further expenses.
Kevin McCormally: When should a student start looking into study about programs how early?
Jane Clark: He really should start a freshman or sophomore year to talk to his academic advisor and also visit the study abroad office at his own university. You want to make sure that the credits that he is earning overseas transfer back to his home school and also that they apply towards his nature. It's really no bargain if your kids ends up having to spend an extra semester so that to get that degree.
Kevin McCormally: Okay Jane, one quick practical question. If my daughter goes abroad how do parents stay in touch when the student is in abroad?
Jane Clark: Well there is always email just about every country has several Internet cafes and kids can just go on in and pay by the minute to use their email accounts.
Kevin McCormally: What about telephones?
Jane Clark: You can buy cellphones that are compatible with the countries where your child is traveling. Actually you can get their cellphone in the country or through telestial.com.
Kevin McCormally: Okay, thanks very much, Jane.
