Hidden traps of studying abroad! How parents can protect their children
2024-08-26
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It’s the school year again! Are you all fully prepared before the journey begins?
"Overseas Road" 2024 Study Abroad Safety Conference, and give you a must-seeOverseas Safety Guide。
We specially invited privacy protection expert Mr. Yang Zhe and international students studying in the United States and Canada to discuss how to deal with the complex international environment, potential security risks and interference from unscrupulous intermediaries, and build a more solid security line for international students and prospective international students.
Overseas Road | 2024 Study Abroad Pre-departure "Safety" Meeting (Click to watch the live broadcast replay)
01 "Avoidance of Agents" Tips
Before going abroad to study, many students will seek help from study abroad agencies, hoping that the application process will be smoother. However, over-reliance on agencies will make things complicated or even unsatisfactory. Zhang from New York University and Jiang from the University of Toronto shared five tips on "avoiding agency risks" to help you!
1. Be aware of the boundaries between information security and privacy
When dealing with study abroad agents, avoid disclosing excessive sensitive information, such as bank accounts, detailed home addresses, etc., unless this information is absolutely necessary in the application process.
Ask and confirm the intermediary's privacy policy to ensure that they will not misuse your personal information, especially not disclose it to third parties without permission.
2. Strictly examine the qualifications of intermediaries
Check whether the agency has officially recognized qualifications, look at the agency's past success stories, and find out other students' comments and feedback through social media, forums, etc.
3. Review the contract terms carefully
Before signing the contract, please read the contract terms carefully and ensure that the contract lists in detail the services provided by the intermediary, the charging standards and payment methods to avoid unnecessary disputes later.
Pay attention to special terms: such as the number of times the document can be revised, refund policy, how to deal with non-admission, and other key terms.
4. Stay involved and proactive throughout the application process
Participate in the entire application process in person and keep an eye on the application progress. Understand the progress of each step and maintain close communication with the agent to ensure that your wishes and needs are accurately conveyed.
Avoid being a hands-off boss and actively participate in school selection, essay writing, interview preparation, etc. This will not only improve the quality of your application, but also give you a deeper understanding and control over the entire application process.
5. Protect your own rights and interests
If you encounter any problems, please communicate with the agent in a timely manner and seek solutions. Stay calm and rational, and protect your rights and interests through effective communication.
02 Notes on Entry
Please ensure that all required documents for entry are prepared in physical form so that they can be presented quickly when needed. Please continue to pay attention to and update your entry documents before and during entry.
Entry Materials: Including but not limited to visas, passports, school acceptance letters, proof of funds, customs approval letters (required for Canadian students to enter), I-20 (required for American students to enter), class schedules, etc., in case of emergency.
Electronic equipment content inspection: Be sure to check the storage content in your personal computer and mobile phone to ensure that there are no illegal videos, bad keywords or other materials that may cause entry problems.
Entry Simulation Training: Before departure, you can conduct immigration simulation training with your family, imagining and simulating various possible scenarios, including but not limited to sudden questioning by customs, luggage inspection, deliberate approach by illegal workers, etc., to improve your coping ability and psychological preparation.
Arrange airport pick-up service: It is recommended to book an airport pick-up service when entering the country so that there is someone to pick you up when you arrive, increasing the safety and convenience of your trip.
Be wary of strangers "helping" you: At the airport or during your trip, be highly vigilant about strangers offering or requesting "help" from you, and beware of scams or traps.
Legal support preparation: Knowing basic legal knowledge and rights protection knowledge can help you be more calm when encountering special situations. You must remain calm, actively cooperate with customs officers, and answer questions honestly.
03 Tips to prevent online fraud
Faced with the frequent online fraud targeting international students every year, how to effectively prevent it has become the most concerned issue for families with international students. Let's listen to the professional insights and suggestions of privacy protection expert Mr. Yang Zhe:
1. Data preservation and backup
Use an encrypted disk or encryption software to store local data, such as personal documents, bank account information, etc. To prevent data loss or damage, it is recommended to regularly back up data to a secure storage device or cloud storage service. At the same time, ensure that the cloud storage service also has two-factor authentication and encryption enabled.
2. Cybersecurity
Avoid using public networks such as public Wi-Fi when conducting sensitive operations such as banking transactions or checking emails. These networks may have security holes that can be easily exploited by hackers.
3. Be highly alert to scams impersonating officials
If you receive a call or email claiming to be a customer service representative of a bank or e-commerce company, do not trust them and disclose your personal information at will. You should immediately verify the information through the official customer service phone number or visit the official website. Do not act rashly and be sure to give yourself enough time to verify the authenticity of the matter.
You should also be extremely vigilant when receiving communications claiming to be from embassies, consulates, domestic "public security, procuratorial and judicial organs" and other official institutions. Be sure to use officially approved channels to verify information to avoid the risk of personal sensitive information being leaked or transferred to unknown persons. In uncertain situations, seeking legal support or discussing with family and friends to determine the rationality of the information is an important step to protect your own rights and interests.
04 Academic integrity warning: Senior students’ tips to help you avoid misconduct
Academic misconduct not only seriously damages one's reputation, but may also lead to suspension or even expulsion from school. In order to help you better maintain academic integrity and avoid stepping into the minefield of misconduct, NYU sisters have listed three key points for you:
1. Reasonable use of network resources and AI tools：
When using online resources such as the Internet and databases for academic research, it is important to clearly distinguish between citation and plagiarism. When using these tools to assist writing, ensure the originality of the content and avoid direct copying and pasting.
2. Prevent professors from "fishing enforcement":
Some professors may use "fishing" methods to deliberately set traps to test students' academic integrity. Please be vigilant and self-disciplined to ensure that all results are completed independently without any form of plagiarism or cheating.
3. Avoid job sharing:
Showing homework to classmates or allowing classmates to view your homework may indirectly lead to the risk of academic dishonesty. Therefore, in order to maintain academic integrity, it is recommended that students keep their homework independent and avoid unnecessary sharing.
05 Overseas Guardian: Advice Guide for Parents
1. Hire a lawyer as legal advisor:
Parents can consider hiring a local lawyer as a legal advisor for their children. When faced with issues such as visas, contracts, and legal disputes, children can have the support and guidance of professionals.
2. Establish emergency contacts and keep communication open:
Choose a trusted emergency contact in your local area, such as a neighbor or friend, and tell your child their contact information so that both parties can respond quickly and work together in case of an emergency.
3. Agree on special codes to enhance communication security:
Agree with your child on a special code or communication method that will only be used in emergencies or to confirm the other party's identity. This method can increase the security of communication to a certain extent and prevent criminals from impersonating children or parents to commit fraud.
4. Communicate regularly and pay attention to mental health:
Maintain a regular communication habit with your children, encourage them to share their joys and confusions, and provide timely care and support. At the same time, pay attention to their mental health issues and seek help from professional counselors when necessary.
Kankan News Reporter: Liang Ping
Editor: Zhang Xinyuan
Editor: Yuan Hongyun
