My conservative parents won’t allow me to study abroad.

It might help to understand the source of their fears, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Start by treating their feelings with the same regard you want for yours

I am from an Asian country and a semi-conservative background. I want to study overseas next year. I have done a lot of research and a particular university and I seem a perfect match. My parents are staunchly opposed to the idea as they feel I will be unsafe and targeted there as a woman of colour living there all alone.

They are not willing to have any conversation and refuse to allow me to prove myself. I want to pursue a career in academia and the course I want to apply to isn’t available in my country. How to convince my parents to allow me to study abroad?