Parents and Families of International Students

Welcome and thank you to Parents & Families of International Students!

When international students embark on their journey to UC Berkeley, they rarely do so alone. Parents, family, and friends play a big role — even from a distance — in offering support throughout a student's university career. Berkeley International Office appreciates the role you play in supporting your student!

Resources

Stay informed with the resources below:

Are You a Student Coming to UC Berkeley with Dependents?

See the Family Matters section of our website for links to resources for students with accompanying family.

Parent Calendar: Your Student's First Year

Congratulations to you and your student for reaching this important milestone! Now that you are part of the UC Berkeley family, Berkeley International Office (BIO) would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and offer a basic overview of your student's first year experience.

Special thanks to our partner, BMO Bank (BMO), the Official Bank of UC Berkeley and strong supporter of new international students at UC Berkeley. BMO provides friendly local service and special offers to members of the UC Berkeley community.

June

  • Acknowledge emotions: Recognize that this is a time of mixed feelings for everyone. There may be excitement, joy, waves of nostalgia, a sense of loss. It may be helpful to talk to other parents and families. Recognize your student’s own conflicting emotions: ups and downs, declaring independence and then asking for your support. Homesickness and being overtired from the demands of UC Berkeley are common throughout the college experience.
  • Decide how to stay connected: Talk to your student about how they plan to keep in touch. You want to show support and love without infringing on newfound freedom. Ask your student how they envision your parental support and role during college. Send emails, letters, and care packages.

  • Stay informed: To stay current on news, check out UC Berkeley's website and read the Daily Californian, the on-campus newspaper.

July

  • Make a financial plan: Berkeley can be expensive. Discuss expectations with your student and set a tentative budget. Be clear about who will pay for what. Discuss responsible use of credit/debit cards and start thinking about how to open a U.S. bank account. See our Money & Banking resources
  • Academic goals and expectations: Many first-year & transfer students don't do as well as they expected in the first semester. Many change their field of study. Be wary of unreasonable expectations. Ask what your student hopes to accomplish this year. Grades are not the only indication of success. It is important for students to take responsibility for their education and pursue opportunities outside the classroom.

  • Encourage your student to review Golden Bear Prep and complete all the quizzes as soon as possible.

August

  • Move In: Newly enrolled students will be assigned a specific Move-In date. Students will receive an email notifying them that they need to select a time slot for their Move-In day. 
  • Nervousness about making new friends: Encourage your student to get involved in an activity or organization that interests them. Berkeley International Office’s orientation and social events are a great way to make connections!
  • Anxiety about major/career path: The College of Letters and Science advises that the first year may be used for exploring majors and fulfilling university requirements. It is not unusual for students to be uncertain of their major at this point. Students may also contact academic advisers and the Career Center for additional guidance.
  • Roommate conflicts: Propose that your student discusses responsibilities and house rules with roommate(s). Students living in dorms may reach out to their Resident Advisers (RA) for advice.
  • Adapting to U.S. culture: Encourage your student to be open to trying new things. Berkeley International Office can be a great resource.
  • Check this year's Academic Calendar for other important dates throughout the academic year.
  • Encourage your student to attend Berkeley International Office events and orientation.

September

  • Homesickness: It is likely that your student misses you just as much as you miss them. Check in periodically (not too much), encourage them to stay independent and to seek Tang’s Counseling & Psychological Services or Peer Counseling services if homesickness is affecting their daily lives. Suggest attending a Cal athletic event to get into the school spirit! Send them a care package or a card if possible.
  • Difficulty balancing social vs. academic life: Suggest the purchase of a planner and that the student assign time for both academics and extracurricular activities. Again, Tang’s Counseling & Psychological Services is a great resource for students struggling with balancing their lives or with stress.
  • Tips for phone calls: You will always have a parent-child relationship, but try to build an adult one as well. Keep in touch through phone calls, emails, video calls, letters, and care packages (most students are excited to receive mail). Let the student have some control in these interactions to allow them a sense of independence.

October

  • More Cultural Adjustment: October is often a difficult month, as students begin to feel the difference in cultures. Parents Weekend can also make them feel lonely. These feelings are normal. Attending BIO’s events can be helpful. Joining a multicultural club can also help your student feel connected to home and less culturally alienated.
  • Stress about midterm exams and projects: Remind your student about the Student Learning Center and encourage them to visit professors and instructors during office hours. This resource can be helpful not only for course performance but also in familiarity with professors (and for future support in letters of recommendation). Students should read the course grade breakdown to help prioritize and manage time. See our Academic Resources page for more tips!
  • Spring registration is approaching: Propose that your student meet with academic advisers for more information about classes offered.
  • Sickness: Due to changing weather and close proximity to other students (in dorms or lectures), October is a month during which students are at risk of catching a cold or the flu. Advise your student to take care of their health and to take advantage of the Tang center’s free flu shots

November

  • Financial Stress: Encourage your student to look for on-campus jobs. This is a great time to discuss budgeting and to reflect on expenditure thus far to encourage responsible money habits. A great on-campus budgeting resource is Bears for Financial Success.
  • Academic Stress: Remind your student gently about studying proactively, but note that if they do poorly in one class this won’t have a huge impact on their average GPA. Encourage visits to office hours and formation of study groups. Again, the Student Learning Center is a great resource!
  • Winter Break planning: Encourage your student to start planning their trip early or to plan events during the vacation if they are staying in Berkeley. They can also check out events/activities planned by Berkeley International Office.

December

  • Final exams & papers due: Send a care package to boost motivation to study for finals. Encourage your student to write down study time and deadlines in a planner, and to attend review sessions.
  • Anxiety about reconnecting with family and friends back home: Newfound freedom may make it hard for your student to readjust to being under supervision and they may forget to notify you when they go out or to return home on time. Discuss realistic expectations: family plans, curfews. Try to ensure your student doesn’t feel like they are being too restricted or stifled by allowing them more independence than they would have had during high school years. Keep in mind that your student will want to reconnect with as many friends as possible, but this does not diminish how much they missed family.
  • Excitement about coming home: Remind student to focus on final exams and projects first.

January

  • Possible anxiety about returning to classes: Talk to your student about what worked and what did not work during the first semester. Help brainstorm possible improvements. Ask how you can help support them in their efforts.
  • Possible reluctance to return: Your student may realize they missed home and their friends and might feel reluctant to return. In this case, tell them to make plans with friends for when they arrive so they have something to look forward to. They can also make plans to join different student organizations or clubs if they want to expand either their non-academic life or their social circle. Discuss clubs or activities your student participated in during high school that they may want to continue at Cal. Joining beginner’s classes at the Sports Facilities or DeCals (student-run classes) may also help take the edge off their semester workload.
  • Waitlist for Classes: It is common for first years to not get into all the classes they had wanted or to be waitlisted for classes. For this reason it is advisable for your student to have a backup plan of classes. Be advised that large lectures sometimes admit the number of waitlisted students equivalent to 10% of class size. It is best to choose discussion sections that are relatively empty for these classes. The student can meet with an academic adviser for more information.

February

  • Considering moving off campus next year?: Discuss the positives and negatives of living on and off campus. Some students feel that living on campus has great benefits, such as finding a community of support. It helps them feel connected to other students and to helpful staff. Others feel that living off campus will help them gain independence. Other options include Cooperative Living and sorority or fraternity housing. Encourage your student to seek information from Housing very early and remind student that this will be another big adjustment. Suggest revisiting the budget together.

  • Homesickness: Lunar New Year falls somewhere between January and February each year. As with any other celebrations back home, some students may become homesick. A phone or Skype call and a care package or letter can help.
  • Winter Blues: With the still relatively cold weather, your student might find themselves suffering from "winter blues". A care package and emotional support can help. Furthermore, this is another time where students may catch a cold or fall ill. Advise your student to continue or develop healthy habits.

March

  • What to do during Spring Break?: Suggest that your student look into university-affiliated trips. Remind them to plan early and travel with friends and prioritize safety during their trip. Booking trips early is best because prices become expensive around this time. Remind your student of deadlines after the break and encourage them to have a study plan.
  • Overwhelmed with midterms: Encourage your student to balance school work by scheduling in study time. Preparing early can allow more time for social breaks. March is also when club and group activities increase in their intensity. Advise your student to prioritize and not to take on more than they can handle. Be positive and motivational!
  • Daylight Saving Time: California will lose one hour. Adjust calling time accordingly.

April

  • Uncertainty about major, fall course load, or career path: Most students decide on (a) tentative major(s) by sophomore year. The Berkeley Academic Guide is a useful tool. Suggest that your student consider shadowing someone in their ideal job. Encourage seeking out advice from advisers, counselors, or upperclassmen.
  • Summer plans: Discuss options and what is best for your student and family: take classes, study abroad, do an internship, or take a break?
  • Taxes: Remind students to visit the Berkeley International Office tax webpages for general guidelines about filing taxes, regardless of income.
  • Visa/work authorization: If your student plans to work off-campus during the summer, remind them to visit BIO for advising. Remind your student to consult the BIO website to plan ahead for international travel.
  • Cal Day: On Cal Day, UC Berkeley opens its campus to the public to show what the university has to offer by displaying free lectures, tours, showcases, performances and more.

May

  • Getting ready for the summer: Finals week can be a very hectic time for students, so it is advisable to start packing early, especially if your student is departing right after their finals end. Your student should look for summer storage options for items they will not be able take with them if they will not be staying in Berkeley.
  • Procrastination: Talk to your student about studying early and being prepared for the last few weeks of school. Remind your student that summer begins only after finals are over.
  • Preparing for returning home... or not: If your student is returning home for the summer break, brace yourselves for another possible cultural adjustment. Students may have different views or feelings about things and people that were once familiar and second-nature. Students often also change the way they act or look. Try to understand that this is just another transition for the family and the student. Be aware of Residence Hall Move-Out dates, available on the Housing webpage