What Parents Should Know Before Their Teen Goes on a Gap Year Abroad

So, your independent teen with dreams of living abroad has taken it upon themselves to do a gap year after high school?  

Spending a gap year abroad can be a fantastic opportunity for your teen to learn, grow, and experience the world. While you may be thrilled for them, your parental instincts are probably also buzzing with alarm at the idea of having them be so far away from home for so long.  

Here are some practical gap year tips to help you both navigate this journey and ensure their safety, smooth communication, and overall success while they're away. 

Safety Starts With Choosing the Right Program 

If you've successfully raised a teenager, you are skilled at keeping them safe. But when they live abroad, you will have less power to control where they go, when they go, and who they spend their time with.  

We recommend these tips to cast a safety net over your teen: 

• Research Safe Destinations: Check out the safety of the country, city, or town where your teen will be living. Aim for places with low crime rates and stable political climates. The U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory page is a great resource. 
• Make Sure the Program Your Teen Chooses Offers Local Support and Travel Insurance: With local support available 24/7 and a policy that can cover your teen in case of emergencies, you can feel more confident sending your teen abroad. 
• Check That the Program Is Accredited by the Gap Year Association: This national nonprofit can verify that a gap year program has passed all required standards by the U.S. Department of Justice. 

CIEE Gap Year Abroad programs are accredited by the Gap Year Association and take place in safe, international locations. Participants have access to 24/7 CIEE staff and travel insurance is included with tuition. 

For more information on gap year options, read our blog on Everything Your Need to Know About Gap Year Abroad.

Striking a Balance With Communication Is Key 

Your teen's gap year is likely their first time living away from home. While you won't be able to hug or kiss them, with today's communication technology, you can see each other via video and talk or text every day.  

However, we don't recommend interacting with them daily. Why not? A gap year abroad is an incredible experience and opportunity for your teen to fly solo, gain independence, and meet new people. Constant communication with their parents or even with friends back home can hinder their ability to immerse themselves in the here and now. 

Here are some tips for balanced communication:

• Set Up Regular Check-ins: Agree on a check-in schedule before your teen departs. Getting regular but not constant updates will help them immerse themselves in their new surroundings. Weekly video calls can be a great way to stay updated. Don't be surprised if your teen checks in less and less as they spend more time away. That means they are busy enjoying their life abroad! 
• Encourage Making Local Friends: Push your teen to make friends abroad instead of always chatting with friends back home. Participating in local activities and events will help them build connections and enrich their experience. 
• Unlock Your Teen’s Phone: Instead of adding international coverage to your teen's existing phone plan, unlock their phone and arrange for them to buy a local SIM card once they're in their host country. It's cheaper, and they'll get a local number for easier communication within the country where they are living. 
• Use Communication Apps: Download and get familiar with messaging apps (since your teen will likely not be able to receive your SMS messages). Messaging apps are perfect for easy international voice or text messages. 

Check out the video below to find out if a gap year is right for your teen:

There Are Many Ways to Support Your Teen During Their Gap Year 

Most teens will still need their parents' emotional support during their gap year. Here are some tips for offering that while allowing them space to grow and meet challenges on their own. 

• Stay Supportive but Give Space: When your teen calls struggling with a problem, offer validation and be their cheerleader while encouraging them to handle things on their own. Let them know that you trust in their ability to face challenges and make decisions. Independence is a huge part of this experience. 
• Homesickness Happens: Homesickness is totally normal; let your teen know that when they inevitably experience it. Be an ear to listen and let them cry it out if they need to. Let them know you miss them too, and they will be back home before they know it. Encourage them to go out and do things they enjoy, spend time with their host family or friends, and stick to a routine to feel more settled. 
• Stay Flexible: Help your teen stay flexible, with plans and with getting to know their new culture. People will act differently than they do at home, plans may change, and certain things will not go as they expect. Support your teen in going with the flow and learning the huge life lesson that we can't control everything, but we can certainly hone our skill of adapting. 

Check Out Gap Year Abroad Programs with CIEE 

By keeping these things in mind, you'll help make your teen's gap year abroad a safe, rewarding, and unforgettable experience. If your teen is still on the hunt for gap year ideas or what to do during a gap year, take a look at CIEE's Gap Year Abroad programs for a safe and constructive experience.