What an adventure our sons and daughters are experiencing as they settle into their new surroundings. Italy, France, Israel, Argentina, Kenya, and New Zealand are just a handful of the nations where D.U. study abroad students have landed for the Fall 2010 semester. One of the challenges they will face is to attempt to actually focus on their academics while surrounded by all kinds of wonderful distractions outside of their overseas classrooms; not an easy task. For some, the contrast between Colorado and where they currently dwell is dramatic. For others the customs and cultural diffences are refreshing. And for yet others, who have already traveled extensively in their young lives, navigating another new place presents a challenge that somehow energizes them in a fresh way. Ah, study abroad.
But what about those of us back in the U.S.? We feel a little disconnected, a little out of touch. Some of us parents miss our students WAY more than the students miss us, or Colorado, or their siblings. What about those of us who have been to every baseball game, every dance recital, every gymnastics meet, including all of the events they wanted us to attend, and even the ones when they "didn't care" if we were there! What are we to do now? The answer is...Skype. Yes, Skype to the rescue. What a magnificent invention. We always knew that technology would one day allow us to actually see the person we were talking to on the other end of the phone, we just didn't know it would be through a computer or laptop, and that it would be our son or daughter on the other end. Now granted, it's not even close to being there in person, like when we watched them attempt a cartwheel on the balance beam, or when we politely questioned a call by a little league umpire, but Skype really goes a long way to reduce the distance that separates us from our kids. But, helicopter parents beware, your son or daughter must actually be available at the same time you are in order for the video connection to be complete. This fact alone could cause undue stress to those for whom the whole long distance experience has already stretched your comfort zone beyond recognition. Fortunately, my wife and I have had a few previous separations from our kids when they have traveled that have helped us learn how to enlarge and reshape our comfort zone, which has included a growing trust in God's ability to care for them (even when they were caught in a hurricane on their honeymoon in Mexico!).
Hopefully by now, you have all figured out how to use this ally in communication, but if not, simply go to YouTube on your computer, type in "how to use skype" and you will find several options to help you to install Skype. I should mention that your son/daughter must have high speed internet available to access Skype, but many locations are already equipped for this service. You will also find that Skype is very inexpensive, and it some cases it is free.
John Kloeckner, Skyper
parent of David Kloeckner, a junior, currently studying in Haifa, Israel
