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The flight's booked. The bags are nearly packed. And that looming airport goodbye is starting to feel very real. When your child's about to start life in another country - on a gap year, study placement, or full-time international course - there's a lot to organise.

One detail that often gets missed until the last minute? How they'll get hold of their money once they land.

Instead of setting up a foreign bank account or hoping their UK card works overseas, more parents are choosing a simpler option: sending money ahead with Western Union. It's quick to set up, and gives your child access to local currency straight away - whether that's through a cash pickup, mobile wallet or direct bank transfer in their new country.

There's no transfer fee on your first online send to a bank account or mobile wallet, which makes it an easy win at a time when every cost matters.

Getting money sorted in advance means one less thing to worry about in those stressful first few days abroad. It's ideal for buying supplies, topping up local travel cards, or just giving them a sense of independence - knowing the essentials are covered.

It's also a useful fallback once they're settled in. If something unexpected crops up, you can send more money instantly using the same account - no bank appointment or complicated paperwork needed.

This travel money approach isn't just useful for students. Families visiting relatives abroad before Christmas or Thanksgiving are using the same method - sending money to themselves in the local currency for cash pickup, so there's no need to carry large sums or hunt for a decent exchange rate on arrival.

The transition into life overseas is a big moment, but it doesn't have to come with financial stress. Send money ahead with no transfer fees on your first online transfer at Western Union and give your child a smoother start.

Western Union supports transfers to thousands of locations around the world, with options for mobile wallets, bank accounts and cash pickups in most major study-abroad destinations. It only takes a few minutes to set up - and could make all the difference when your child steps off that plane.