How to convince your parents that going abroad isn’t a crazy idea

You dream of doing an internship in Barcelona, Berlin or Dublin. You can already picture the life waiting for you there. The work, the people you’ll meet, the adventure.

Except that your parents don’t see things the same way.

They think about the plane ticket, your safety, your rent, your future. And their first reaction often sounds like: “Are you sure about this? It’s pretty risky.”

Don’t panic. Their fear is normal and even reassuring (it proves they care about you). But it’s no reason to give up on your project.

Here’s how to talk to them wisely, with the right arguments, to turn their fear into support.

First, understand why they’re afraid

Before convincing, listen. Most parents share 5 very specific fears:

• Safety: “What if something happens to you?”
• Money: “Will you manage financially?”
• Future: “Will this really help or will you lose a year?”
• Distance: “We’re going to lose touch with you.”
• Loneliness: “You’ll be alone over there.”

These fears are all legitimate. The mistake would be to brush them off. Your job is to prove to them, fear by fear, that you’ve thought everything through.

The numbers you need to have in mind

This is your most powerful weapon. Your parents respect concrete numbers far more than your promises.

According to EF Education First, an experience abroad significantly boosts long-term employability.

According to research published by GoOverseas, students who have had an experience abroad find a job 6% faster than others, with starting salaries up to 17% higher.

And according to data compiled by IvyPanda, 74% of students who went abroad launch their professional career right after their studies.

These aren’t promises. They’re measured results.

Print these figures. Bring them up calmly during the conversation. You’ll shift the dynamic in 5 minutes.

How to talk to them (the method that works)

1. Choose the right moment

Not during a tense meal. Not after an argument. Not on a tired Sunday evening.

Choose a calm moment, ideally Saturday around lunch or Sunday morning. When their minds are free.

2. Present a project file, not a decision

Instead of arriving with: “I’m leaving for Berlin in September, that’s it”, come with a real project file:

• The country chosen and why
• The company (or possible leads)
• The planned accommodation
• The estimated total cost
• The expected return (skills, languages, employability)
• The support planned

Your parents don’t want to say “no” to a serious project. They just want to say “no” to a whim.

3. Bring them into the loop

Involve them. Ask for their opinion. Show them photos of the company, the neighborhood, the local culture.

A recent study on parental concerns shows it: the more parents feel like part of the project, the less they hold back.

The 5 arguments that hit the mark (fear by fear)

Fear #1: “It’s dangerous”

✅ Support programs like Stud&Globe have very low incident rates

✅ You’ll have a local contact to call

✅ Major European cities are as safe (if not safer) than major French cities

✅ You’ll be in constant contact (WhatsApp, FaceTime)

Fear #2: “It’s expensive”

✅ Present a detailed budget (accommodation + transport + food)

✅ Mention Erasmus+ (up to €500/month in allowance)

✅ Many internships are paid (Spain, Ireland, Germany)

✅ Compare it with the cost of a regular study year

Fear #3: “It won’t be useful”

✅ Bring out the employability figures (+17% salary, job found 6% faster)

✅ Quote recruiters: 64% consider international experience important

✅ Explain that today it’s a standard in good schools and companies

Fear #4: “We’re going to lose you”

✅ Promise regular calls (at least once a week)

✅ Invite them to visit you during the experience (tourist weekend)

✅ Remind them that 3 or 6 months fly by (and today we have free video messaging)

Fear #5: “You’ll be alone”

✅ You’ll quickly meet interns from other countries (mobile young people attract each other)

✅ Plenty of expat communities exist locally (Erasmus, Internations, etc.)

The 3 mistakes to avoid

❌ Don’t tell them too late. If you wait 1 month before leaving, they panic. Give them 4 to 6 months notice to digest the news.

❌ Minimizing their concerns. “Come on, it’ll be fine” is the opposite of what they want to hear. Acknowledge their fear first, then reassure.

❌ Doing it alone in your corner. The more you exclude them, the more they refuse. The more you include them, the more they open up.

The trick that changes everything: a call with Stud&Globe

Many parents truly accept when they see there’s a structured professional support behind the project.

That’s exactly why we offer calls with parents at Stud&Globe. Not to oversell. To explain to them concretely:

• How we select companies
• What follow-up we provide during the internship
• What administrative help we handle
• Who they can call if needed

Very often, after that call, their “no” turns into “OK, we believe in it”.

And what if they still say no?

It’s not a failure. They just need more time.

Keep talking to them gently, showing them how serious you are. “No” often becomes “maybe” then “go for it” in a few weeks.

And don’t forget: in the end, you’re the one who decides about your life. But it’s so much better to leave with their blessing.