Jessica McGawley, a qualified consultant psychologist and the Founder and Principal at Dallington Associates shares why the right support can make all the difference in the world when attending a University in London and how Dallington Associates can help support your child:

Bespoke support and personal development is a good idea for international families with children attending university in London.

Going to university is a new challenge for everyone on both a practical and emotional level, particularly when it involves going abroad and setting yourself up in a new city. The prospect of negotiating a new academic, social and cultural environment can seem daunting. For students from UHNW families, it can come with very specific challenges that are not understood by everyone. A student’s years at university can be a strong determinant of future success. They are formative years, a crucial time in preparing to take on future responsibilities within family structures. In addition to academic achievement, this time is an opportunity to become the confident, motivated and capable people that they need to be to successfully carry forward the legacy of family office. With the right support, networks and tools, they can become the best versions of themselves.

Simplifying the practical challenges

There are the practical demands of relocation to consider, such as securing a visa and suitable, equipped accommodation, selecting the right courses and adhering to academic deadlines, accessing essential services, and navigating a new city. This can be a time-consuming process, but with a trusted contact and the right support on the ground, the process can be greatly simplified.

Wellbeing is central to success

There are also the emotional challenges associated with establishing new relationships and a trusted network. This can be particularly true for the children of UHNW who, as a minority group, often feel the need to err on the side of caution when establishing new relationships, whether with peers or professionals. This new environment, and the pressures of multiple simultaneous changes, can lead to isolation and loneliness, particularly in the first few months of university. This can have wider repercussions for a student’s academic performance and well-being. With the right planning, practical and emotional support, attending university in London can be transformed from a daunting experience to a positive one, for both student and family.

Staying on Track

Understanding and negotiating a new academic system can be particularly challenging – whether meeting academic deadlines for course enrollment, changing courses midway through a term, requesting extenuating circumstances and managing emergency situations, or getting an effective time management plan in place. Having someone on hand that knows and is connected to the system, and who can manage situations on your behalf can expedite results and help avoid unnecessary complications.

Confidentiality and Security

Because UHNW families are open to the scrutiny of the media and can find themselves the target of preconceptions and insincere attentions, students can be vulnerable. Surrounding yourself with the right people isn’t always straight forward. Understanding people’s motivations and sincerity is a skill acquired through life experience. At university, students can sometimes find themselves in social and even academic relationships that may exacerbate their sense of isolation or affect their well-being. Students can also be susceptible to security risks, so securing devices and data is of the utmost importance. In such cases, it can be extremely useful to have the support and advice of someone on-the-ground and close to the situation, whom you know and can trust to offer constructive guidance, manage situations, and ensure that personal and family security is maintained.

Bespoke Personal Development

Dallington associates provides bespoke support and personal development for international families with children attending university in London. We know that a one-size-fits all approach to delivering best-in class support doesn’t work. To be effective, support needs to be tailored to the needs of the students and families with whom we work. Supplementing university education with additional programmes that equip students with new knowledge and skill sets, as well as exposure to the world, creates a more rounded educational experience and encourages personal growth. Whether this takes the form of coaching from an industry expert, tailored programmes to support candidates in their roles following university, or coordinated networking opportunities, the goal is to equip students with knowledge, tools and contacts that will be beneficial to them in the future.

Good People Know Good People

Trusted networks are invaluable when it comes to accessing the best support, advice, and expertise. Whether you are looking for a leading medical expert, an educational psychologist, a mentor at the forefront of their industry, or a best-in-class tutor, having a ready-to-go network of the best professionals at your fingertips is the difference between an average university experience and a brilliant one. At Dallington Associates, our work is underpinned by the advice and support of an advisory board of experts at the forefront of their fields. This board not only acts in an advisory capacity on a case-by-case basis, but also brings with it an additional and impressive network that our clients can access.

For further information on the Dallington Associates and how they can help support your child, please contact education@quintessentially.com