Risk Mitigation through Preparation
There are many mental health risk factors for students who study abroad including acculturation stress, homesickness, elevated stress levels, peer dynamics and loneliness. When we proactively address these issues, like through the use of our pre-departure mental health mini-course, we can mitigate their impact so that students are safer and stay engaged in their program. When students do better, staff and programs do better, improving results across the board.
Many, many students will experience a variety of challenges when they are studying abroad--all with the potential to effect their mental wellbeing. When these challenges are not addressed proactively, programs miss an opportunity to build connection and belonging, teach resilience, and prepare students to maximize their growth and learning.
Key findings:
When students are offered pre-departure trainings to support their wellbeing abroad they are able to access supports more effectively which allows them to address their issues and move on with a successful experience.
Acculturation stress is also reduced when students have time to anticipate stressors and plan for how they will deal with them.
When organizations invest in preventative mental health interventions, on average, they see a savings of $5 on every dollar spent through less costly in-country interventions, fewer emergency withdrawals, and less expensive claims.
In summary, data and experience supports the implementation of a pre-departure mental health mini-course that effectively helps students create a travel wellness plan and understand how to be resilient, flexible, and access supports. As we like to say "a few slides (on mental health) isn't working!"
To get your students started on the Mental Health Mini Course or for more information, email us: info@beingwellabroad.com.
“Study abroad: Exploring the pre-departure preparation provided to students, staff and host communities” Rutgers University Libraries, Rutgers University, n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2025. https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/67538/PDF/1/play/.
Goldstein, S. B. (2017). Teaching a Psychology-Based Study Abroad Pre-Departure Course. Psychology Learning & Teaching, 16(3), 404-424. https://doi-org.ezproxy.rit.edu/10.1177/1475725717718059
"Journal of International Students: Pre-Departure Orientations and Mental Health." Journal of International Students, 2018.
"Behavioral Health Morbidity for Those Studying or Working Abroad." Emerald Publishing. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.Othman, U., and Derundere, U. "A Review Indicating How Studying Abroad Affects the Mental Health." Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 2023, https://archivespsy.com/menu-script/index.php/ACF/article/view/2208/2498.
