THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2024 65 disorienting. Forging new friendships and figuring out where they fit in can exacerbate these feelings. Your student might find it stressful to figure out how to get their laundry done, manage their finances, eat well, and get enough sleep, and they may be anxious about their academic performance. Megan reminds TCKs that university life is demanding, and it can take a few months to establish a rhythm and routine that works. She says parents can help by planning reunions with extended family during shorter breaks and organizing travel to post for the longer winter and summer breaks. If possible, be a part of the move-in process at the start of the semester. What Parents Can Do Becky Grappo, founder of RNG International Educational Consultants and a mom to TCKs of her own, has helped hundreds of FS families going through the college process. She says most parents just want to know the answer to a question she saw posted on Instagram, “Do you want to be hugged, heard, or helped?” We may not be able to physically hug our kids, but we have the technology at our disposal to help bridge the distance between us and make them feel heard. We can encourage them to build a support network on campus by seeking out other international student organizations and TCKs as well as local opportunities outside of campus for culture, service, and community. Additional resources for the college process and transition are available on GCLO’s College and Beyond webpage, and the Overseas Briefing Center (FSI/TC/OBC) has a checklist for FS families with college students. Self-care techniques can help to manage stress and anxiety and provide balance to the busy demands of college life. Students should prioritize their mental and emotional well-being by getting exercise and proper nutrition, practicing mindfulness, and making time to pursue interests and hobbies; most campuses offer informational sessions to introduce students to wellness options on campus. Megan encourages TCKs to enjoy the journey of figuring out who they are becoming, to be curious and explore new things. Sometimes the anxiety and pressure may lead the student to need professional mental health help. Becky noted there are college counseling services and mental health professionals on campus that can offer some guidance, but many of them are meant for triage or shortterm assistance, not ongoing support. Most campuses and insurance companies can provide a list of options both for telehealth and local service providers; contact them as soon as possible as there may be wait-lists. Ensuring that mechanisms are in place legally, staying connected, and encouraging our TCKs to practice self-care and find support networks, including professional help if needed, will help them navigate this transition with success. There may be a situation, however, that requires a plan B—and maybe even a plan C. I remember the exact spot where I stood in the embassy when I received a call from my best friend telling me our daughter was in the hospital. It was not what I wanted or expected to hear, but it was clear that she needed to take a medical leave of absence her second semester of sophomore year and come stay with us at post. Looking back on that time now, as she prepares to finish her graduate degree this June, I realize that everyone’s journey is going to be bumpy in some way. In the end, in the words of another FS mom, “We want our kids happy, healthy, and whole.” n
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODIyMDU=