Subject: Sharing Contact Info for My Upcoming Conference Trip
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to an undergrad conference soon, and I don’t really know any of the other attendees from my university. I’ve already spoken with the director of the undergraduate research office and the conference coordinator a few times. My parents are a bit anxious about me traveling alone and would like to have the office’s contact information in case of emergencies.
Do you think it’s weird to share that info? Should I ask the director and coordinator for permission first? Would it come off as strange to them?
To clarify, the university is covering the trip and the director and coordinator will be responsible for the event and accompanying us. I trust my parents won’t be excessively contacting them if I happen not to respond right away. Their concern stems from a cultural background where safety is often prioritized.
Thanks for any input!
It’s completely understandable that your parents want to have a way to contact someone in case of an emergency while you’re away. It’s not weird for them to seek that reassurance, especially since you’ll be traveling alone and they might not know anyone else attending.
That said, it would be a good idea to ask the director and conference coordinator for permission to share their contact information with your parents. They will likely appreciate your thoughtfulness in asking, and it gives them a chance to express their comfort level with it. They might even find it helpful to have your parents in the loop, especially since they are responsible for your well-being during the trip.
In your message to them, you can explain your parents’ concerns and let them know that it’s for peace of mind. Most people would understand the situation, especially in a university context where student safety is important. Good luck at the conference!