The Whistler family has become a true USAC family (Rebecca-USAC Costa Rica, Rose and Terry – see letter below, Emily-USAC Spain).
A Parent's Perspective
Hello!
Our daughters, Emily and Rebecca, participated in study abroad programs through USAC; Emily studied in Madrid in 2006, and Rebecca studied in Costa Rica in 2009. We wish to compliment the staff at USAC for the smooth sailing that our daughters experienced.
Our introduction as parents began with the USAC catalogues. We explored the cities our daughters were interested in and were able to understand the programs, fees, field trips, housing and university credits the girls would be involved in. Everything was laid out beautifully and it gave us confidence that our girls were going to be in good hands.
What was most helpful prior to departure were the program updates that we received, with financial payments clearly denoted as well as areas that needed to be taken care of, such as passports, flights, visas, and even items suggested for comfort while abroad. We attended parent orientations for both programs where we got first hand information about the particular cities that the girls would be in. We were told that a resident director was on site and available 24/7 if needed. We felt like a gentle hand was guiding us throughout this new and exciting experience.
Because the girls attend a consortium university, University of Nevada, Reno, there was easy access to the use of financial aid and grade transfers. Both girls were able to learn Spanish in the classroom as well as being immersed in the culture. They came home with a confidence in their ability to speak the language, and university credit that added to their strong grade point average.
The benefits of the time spent in their respective countries are immeasurable. They came home with a world view of the beauty of diversity and tolerance. They grew in confidence in their abilities to live on their own, travel in foreign countries, make arrangements for travel beyond the USAC program, and a general curiosity of other cultures. These are things that will be with them forever. We credit the USAC experience as a vital force in our daughters’ education and are grateful that they were able to participate in such a well developed program.
Thank you very much!
Rose Whistler and Terry Whistler
Parents of Emily and Rebecca Whistler
University of Nevada, Reno