What Nepalese Parents Should Know Before Sending Their Child Abroad for Study

Sending your child abroad for higher education from Nepal is a journey filled with pride, excitement, and a degree of apprehension. As a parent, you play a pivotal role not just as a sponsor, but as a crucial support system. Understanding the key aspects of this journey can help you prepare yourself and your child for success.

For more specific details, see our guides on sponsoring your child and visa support.

1. The Financial Commitment is More Than Just Tuition

• Holistic Budgeting: Your financial planning must go beyond tuition fees. You need to account for living expenses (accommodation, food, transport), health insurance (like OSHC in Australia), airfare, and initial settlement costs.
• Contingency Fund: Always have an emergency fund for unexpected situations like medical issues or urgent travel.
• Currency Fluctuation: Be aware that exchange rates between the Nepali Rupee and foreign currencies can change, affecting your budget.
• PixarEdu Tip: Use our Student Budget Planner guide to create a comprehensive financial plan with your child.

2. Choosing the Right Path Together

• It's Their Career: While your guidance is invaluable, the final choice of course and country should align with your child's interests and aptitudes. A motivated student is a successful student.
• Research Together: Explore university options, course structures, and career outcomes. Our Country Guides are a great starting point.
• Be Realistic: Consider your child's academic profile and your family's financial capacity when shortlisting universities. A reputable consultancy like PixarEdu can help find the right fit, avoiding the pitfalls of consultancy scams.

3. The Visa Process is a Family Effort

• Your Role is Crucial: As financial sponsors, your documents (income proof, bank statements, property valuations) are key to the visa application's success.
• Be Prepared and Organized: Start gathering financial documents early. Ensure they are transparent and verifiable. Our team can guide you on organizing documents for visa success.
• Understand 'Ties to Home': Visa officers need to be convinced your child will return to Nepal. Strong family ties, property, and career prospects in Nepal are vital points to prove, and you are at the center of this.

4. Prepare for Emotional and Cultural Transitions

• Independence and Responsibility: Your child will be living independently, managing their time, finances, and studies. Encourage them to learn basic life skills like cooking and budgeting before they leave.
• Culture Shock is Real: They will face new cultures, foods, and social norms. Discuss this openly and encourage them to be open-minded and resilient.
• Communication is Key: Set up regular communication schedules (e.g., weekly video calls). Be a listening ear for their triumphs and challenges, but also give them space to grow.
• Homesickness: This is normal. Reassure them of your support and encourage them to get involved in university clubs and activities to build a new social network.

5. Health and Safety are Priorities

• Health Insurance: Ensure they have comprehensive health insurance for the entire duration of their stay.
• Emergency Plan: Have a clear plan for emergencies. Make sure your child knows who to contact at their university, the local embassy, and back home.
• Pre-Departure Health Check: A full medical and dental check-up before they leave is advisable. Our Pre-Departure Toolkit has more tips.

6. Trust the Process and Your Child

• Trust Your Child's Choices: You've raised them to be responsible. Trust them to make good decisions.
• Trust Your Chosen Consultancy: Working with a reliable consultancy like PixarEdu means having a professional partner to guide you through the complexities.
• Focus on the Goal: Remind yourself and your child of the incredible opportunity this is for their future.

How PixarEdu Supports Parents

We recognize that parents are key partners in this journey. We offer:

• Transparent Counseling: Keeping you involved and informed at every stage.
• Expert Financial Guidance: Helping you prepare a strong set of documents.
• Comprehensive Pre-Departure Briefings: Preparing your child for the practical realities of living abroad.

Conclusion

Sending your child to study abroad is a profound act of love and investment in their future. By being well-informed, prepared, and emotionally supportive, you can help make their transition successful and rewarding.

For any questions or to begin your child's study abroad journey, contact PixarEdu today. Our FAQ page may also have answers to your questions.