Faculty Handbook

Advance planning

NOTIFY THE OFFICE OF STUDY ABROAD IMMEDIATELY IF ANY STUDENTS DO NOT ARRIVE BY THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.

Act as liaison between the students and the resident director/bursar/warden/hotel manager, as well as those individuals providing services related to class activities. If cross-cultural issues or concerns regarding interpretation of the host culture arise, defer to the local resident director or local contact, when such people are available. Cross-cultural misunderstandings with host families, host country instructors, etc., may be avoided if you rely on the local knowledge and expertise of these individuals.  For housing problems, see “Housing Issues” under Major Behavior Problems.

If your program moves regularly, you may wish to intentionally rotate roommates to mix up the students, avoid cliques, and stimulate greater full-group interaction.

Meet with students regularly, preferably weekly, to discuss non-academic issues. Although this is optional, program leaders have reported highly successful sessions specifically arranged to discuss and share impressions, cross-cultural adjustment, personal activities, inappropriate behavior, etc. These sessions can also help to build group cohesiveness and alleviate possible cliques and divisions.  Refer to the “Community Building” section of this handbook for discussion ideas that can be generated throughout the program.

Some leaders send regular e-mails to parents which serve as an excellent way for parents to learn of program activities.  If you chose to do this, create a simple statement and have all students sign it, indicating they understand and approve of such communication.   When determining the content of the messages, a good rule of thumb is to write only what you would post on a Web site.  Avoid reference to individual students or events/situations that might be considered confidential.

Michigan State University will not provide any administrative support (housing, childcare, etc.) or assume any responsibility for accompanying non-participants.  Accompanying non-participants are limited to spouses/partners and children.  If non-participants accompany a student on the program, the student is responsible for obtaining overseas health insurance for that person(s).  Accompanying non-participants are not part of the program and therefore cannot attend classes, field trips, or any other activities formally associated with the program.  If such individuals become disruptive to the program, it may be grounds for the student’s dismissal.