Resources for Parents

As your student prepares for their Oxford Launch semester, you may have questions about safety, communication, logistics, and how best to support them. Oxford College values our partnership with families and is committed to a safe, meaningful, and well supported experience for each student. We actively engage with our programs abroad, monitor global safety conditions, and equip students with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate their time away responsibly.

Partnering With Families by Centering Students

Oxford Launch is designed to help first‑year students develop independence, confidence, resilience, and strong self management skills as they transition into college. For this reason, we communicate program details directly to students first, in alignment with university practices. Students then share updates, questions, and tasks with their families.

Families remain essential partners in this process. You can stay engaged while supporting your student’s growth by:

Encouraging them to check their Emory email daily

Asking what they see in Canvas (their secure, student only portal)

Letting them walk you through their tasks, rather than completing tasks for them

Helping them build organization, responsibility, and problem solving skills

Remaining available as a guide, sounding board, and supportive presence

This balanced approach helps students step confidently into both college life and international living.

How We Communicate Updates to Families

We use a layered communication model so information is accurate and easy to find:

Welcome Website (this site) - High‑level preparation, timelines, and resources for families

Canvas (mid‑summer onward – student access only) - The secure, student‑only portal for final details, such as housing assignments, arrival‑day instructions, travel guidance, course selection, and final packing details. Students receive an email when new items are posted in Canvas.

Email (summer) - Families receive periodic Eagle Update newsletters from campus partners. Major announcements and important reminders are shared via email.

This structure keeps families informed while empowering students to manage their own onboarding.

Your Student’s Support Network in London

Your student has three layers of support during their London semester. Each partner plays a unique role:

IES Abroad Student Services (Primary On-Site Support)

The IES Student Services team is your student’s main point of contact for daily life in London. Their staff specialize in supporting students abroad and assist with:

Housing questions

Cultural adjustment and homesickness

Navigating the city

Health and wellness referrals

Community‑building

On‑site emergencies

They are trained and experienced international education professionals and are available throughout the semester.

Oxford Faculty in London (Academic Continuity and Mentorship)

Two Oxford College faculty members live in London and teach the Oxford Launch cohort each fall.

They provide:

Academic continuity

Mentorship within the classroom

A familiar Oxford presence abroad

Academic advising

Oxford faculty care deeply about our students, and their primary role is to support the academic experience. To ensure students also receive strong day‑to‑day wellbeing and residential support, IES Abroad’s trained on-site staff are available to assist with these needs. This approach provides students with comprehensive care from the professionals best equipped to help them thrive.

Global Oxford (Your Home-Campus Support Team)

The Global Oxford team remains actively involved throughout the entire semester by:

Supporting student wellbeing and program developments

Coordinating closely with IES and Oxford faculty

Supporting families with questions

Providing guidance during unexpected challenges

Assisting students who need home‑campus support

You and your student are supported by a full network - academically, logistically, and emotionally.

This partnership ensures students receive expert daily support abroad, academic continuity, and global emergency resources.

Health, Safety & Emergency Awareness

Emory University monitors global safety conditions and works closely with IES Abroad and International SOS to support student wellbeing. Students receive pre‑departure guidance on:

Urban safety and situational awareness

How to access medical care

What to do in an emergency

Navigating London with confidence

In the unlikely event of a significant emergency abroad, Global Oxford will communicate with families as appropriate. For non‑emergencies, students can always reach out to IES staff or Global Oxford for guidance. More details about this are covered with students in pre-departure orientations as well as on-site in London.

How You Can Support Your Student

Oxford Launch: London is intentionally designed for first‑year students, many of whom are navigating independence for the first time. The program’s support structures — from Global Oxford to Oxford faculty to IES Abroad — are built with this developmental stage in mind.

Students adjust to life abroad at different paces. Some settle in quickly, while others take several weeks. All these experiences are normal. If your student is struggling, encourage them to reach out to IES staff, Oxford faculty, or the Global Oxford team. Support is always available.

Parents and families play an essential role. You can support your student by:

Encouraging them to take ownership of tasks, forms, and deadlines

Creating a realistic communication plan (frequency, time zones, expectations)

Offering space for them to adapt and problem solve

Talking proactively about safety, cultural differences, and responsible decision making

Normalizing the emotional ups and downs that often accompany study abroad

Your support helps your student build confidence, resilience, and independence.

Passports & Travel Preparedness

We recommend that families ensure their own passports are valid for six months beyond the program end date in case travel becomes necessary. Students will complete travel forms and upload documentation via the London Essentials Canvas course and myIESabroad portal during the summer.

If You Have Questions

We’re here to support your family throughout the preparation process. If you have questions about timelines, travel, student support, or preparing for their Oxford Launch semester, please contact the Global Oxford team at globaloxford@emory.edu.