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Prepared by: Dr. Marcelo Siles, Executive Director, International Programs

John Mallo, International Programs Coordinator

Susan Morgan, Coordinator – Education Abroad

and the NMU Risk Assessment & Management Committee

Reviewed and approved by:

Dr. Susan Koch

Provost & Vice President – Academic Affairs

Some textual language and organization has been borrowed/copied with permission from

various university programs, including University of South Carolina, Michigan State

University Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and the Padnos International Center, Grand

Valley State University.

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WELCOME & INTRODUCTION Welcome to the energizing and always challenging field of study abroad. As a faculty leader of a short-term study abroad program, you are essential to the internationalization of the NMU curriculum and campus. As a faculty leader, you have an incredible opportunity to challenge, shape and influence students’ perceptions and lives in ways that extend beyond the Northern Michigan University campus. As you travel with students, you will expose them to new customs, values, tastes, sights, and – perhaps – languages. For some, your short-term course may represent the students’ first and only opportunity to participate in an overseas experience. Your leadership may even encourage lengthier, integrated academic and professional international experiences in the students’ future. Faculty-led study abroad programs (FLSA) are offered as regular credit-bearing courses and follow general University policies for new course approval, tuition billing, travel authorization, as well as policies governing conduct and crisis management. When planning a FLSA, it is important to note that committing to teach a course abroad can be both a very rewarding and a challenging experience. Leading an FLSA requires first-hand knowledge of the host country(ies), thorough planning, patience, and a willingness to be everything to everybody. Although students are adults – with rights and responsibilities – your supervisory responsibilities increase on an FLSA. As faculty leader, you may be asked to adopt unfamiliar roles: mentor, relationship counselor, personal risk manager, financial guru, team coach. Services students may expect on campus may not be available during the FLSA. Most often, you will be the students’ only University contact. Be willing to set high standards for behavior prior to departure and be consistent with your expectations during the FLSA program. On study abroad – everyone grows. Everyone changes. This handbook is intended to serve as a helpful tool. In its pages, we introduce you to the resources, policies, procedures and potential challenges you will encounter as you navigate the various stages of program development and implementation. The handbook represents the collected wisdom of seasoned leaders, student participants and administrative professionals and is intended as a supplement to University policies and agreements. The handbook is divided into 5 general sections:

Program Design Responsibilities Abroad Health and Safety Emergency Procedures End-of-Program Procedures

Recent global events highlight the critical importance of accurate and timely response during a crisis. For this reason, all faculty leaders – including those who have led study abroad programs for years – must take this handbook abroad to use on-site.

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I. PROGRAM DESIGN

DEFINITIONS By definition, a FLSA is a faculty-led, credit-bearing NMU course, taught overseas, which provides opportunities not regularly offered as part of the curriculum. Short-term FLSAs are intense – usually 2 to 6 weeks in length - experience-rich, and academically focused. Long-term FLSAs may be less intensive and extend over an entire semester (15-16 weeks). Some operate as existing courses and others are offered as special topics courses. Individual program design may incorporate some or all of these components:

field research site visits academic and/or humanitarian service learning visits to museums and historic sites attendance at cultural events guest speakers

As the University continues to develop and approve a base of FLSA programs, individual programs may rotate depending on departmental goals, student interests and University funding levels. It is not assumed that each program will operate in every academic year. In general, NMU faculty-led programs follow 1 of 2 models:

Semester Break Program: Operate in the period between semesters, or during Spring break. Semester Programs: Take place within a regular semester (including Summer I and Summer II).

LEADERSHIP ROLES Role of the Department While FLSAs fit almost any academic discipline, faculty and department heads should carefully consider how a proposed FLSA fits into the short- and long-term goals of the department.

Will the study abroad be used as an option to fulfill degree requirements? How are FLSAs promoted in relation to other types of overseas programs (semester,

year-long exchanges, internships, etc.)? Does the department recommend one program for freshmen and sophomores and one

for juniors and seniors who have fulfilled certain prerequisites? Is there a plan for rotating one or more department-sponsored FLSAs? Is the department able to support each program with funding, faculty, and a sustainable

program? Does the FLSA add value not available from on-campus courses?

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Will each course fulfill minimum enrollment expectations, and are programs different enough to avoid competing for the same students?

Who will direct the program? Is there a suitable alternate leader? How will the FLSA affect faculty load, salaries, and full-time enrollment for the

department? It is the department’s responsibility to monitor the academic content and requirements of program courses. The Office of International Programs (OIP) provides departments with student evaluations of the program, which include evaluations of the individual course(s). The department can support faculty leaders by promoting the program to students and by including the leader’s work when considering contract renewals, performance evaluations, course release time, and tenure. The OIP conducts FLSA Development Sessions for faculty in both the fall and winter semesters. Each session outlines, in general terms, the purpose, design, and implementation strategies of successful faculty-led study abroad programs. It is strongly recommended that departments encourage faculty members who are new to the FLSA process to attend one of these sessions. In addition to the nuts-and-bolts information, they may gain peer support and glean helpful suggestions from the seasoned colleagues who participate in each session. FLSA Approval Process FLSA course proposals must be submitted to and approved by the departmental Curriculum Committee, the Department Head, and the College Dean, and, if proposed as a continuing part of the curriculum, by the appropriate review groups (Liberal Studies Committee, Committee on Undergraduate Programs, Graduate Programs Committee, Academic Senate, Office of Academic Affairs), at least one year in advance of the proposed FLSA program. If the course is cross-listed between two or more departments, all participating Curriculum Committees, Department Heads, and College Deans must review and approve the FLSA program. FLSA development, program logistics, budget, and promotion must be coordinated with and approved by the OIP. Role of the Faculty Leader: In most cases, the person who develops an FLSA program serves as its faculty leader. Leaders should have expertise in the field of study and institutional contacts in the host country. In-country experience and proficiency in the language of the host country and demonstrated commitment to professional study and/or service in the targeted country are strongly preferred. Ideally, the FLSA will include a co-leader – a second faculty member, a graduate assistant or qualified staff member, and may include a qualified member of a host or partnering institution – to serve as an alternate responsible party in emergency situations and to aid in overall program operations.

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When 2 or more faculty members assume teaching roles in the FLSA, they may elect to lead only a portion of the FLSA program, allowing for some on-site overlap with the second teaching member. New leaders establishing or taking over an existing program should conduct a site visit, which may include accompanying the current program leader to observe operations. Some funding may be possible through various university resources, including Curricular Development Grants and/or departmental travel funds. FLSA Faculty Leaders are responsible for the following:

Course design and formal applicable departmental/College/Academic Senate approval Collaborating with OIP in all administrative arrangements for the program (see “Role of

the Office of International Programs” for a more complete list): o Arranging on-site logistics o Developing official program budget and payment deadlines o Arranging course section, credits, and inclusion in formal course listings o Recruiting student participants o Screening for course prerequisites and referring students to OIP for formal

application Attending FLSA Faculty Leader Pre-Departure Orientation Session Conducting pre-departure class sessions for students Serving as on-site First Response crisis manager Maintaining Incident Log Reporting violations of student code of conduct to OIP Filing a post-program report, including student evaluations Completing the on-line Travel Settlement (including receipts) Arranging for timely posting of participant grades

Alternate Leaders All programs should designate an alternate leader who can act as substitute if circumstances prevent the leader from fulfilling the leadership role. Experience in the host country or region is strongly encouraged. Program Leaders who anticipate circumstances which will prevent the assumption of formal leadership duties should contact the OIP promptly to ensure a smooth transition of duties and/or program cancellation, and to minimize disruption to student and departmental plans. Program Assistants Programs which enroll a minimum of 15 students may qualify for a program assistant. The Program Assistant is nominated by the Faculty Leader with approval of the OIP.

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Program Assistants must be professionally qualified adults with international travel experience whose skills, experience, and/or credentials enable them to make a substantive contribution to the program. They may, but do not need to, be an NMU faculty or staff member; however, they must be selected in accordance with departmental bylaws and the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Program Assistants do not receive an additional stipend (above their NMU salary) but some of their program-related expenses may be paid from the program budget. Role of the Host Institution Program Leaders are required to establish in-country institutional resources to support the logistical arrangements and emergency-response duties associated with their leadership role. Such institutions may include:

Accredited and government-approved universities

Non-government organizations (NGOs)

Third-party commercial providers (with approval of OIP)

Humanitarian and faith-based initiatives with a permanent in-country presence

Host government and/or U.S. government-sponsored institutions and programs The Host Institution is responsible for assisting with:

Coordinating program logistics (including lodging, meals, transportation, emergency and medical facilities, etc.)

Coordinating guest speakers and/or host faculty lectures

Arranging site visits (cultural, historic, local business/government/NGO organizations)

Providing classroom space Role of the Office of International Programs (OIP) The Office of International Programs embraces its mission to engage the University and surrounding community in meaningful international experiences, designed to instill appreciation and awareness of diverse cultures, people, and ideas. As part of its mission, the OIP establishes agreements with foreign institutions and third-party providers, facilitates student and faculty exchanges, assists international students and faculty at NMU, and administers faculty-led study abroad programs. Because the OIP administers a rich range of programs developed by faculty leaders, it is important that OIP and faculty leaders maintain ongoing, one-on-one communication in a spirit of openness, collaboration, and creativity. The OIP handles behind-the-scenes administrative details that may not be immediately visible to students or faculty, but which are nonetheless essential to the smooth functioning of the program. For this reason, each approved FLSA is assigned and OIP advisor who serves as the primary administrative contact.

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Administrative support services include:

Assist faculty and staff in design and implementation of programs. Provide faculty leaders with orientation to existing policies and procedures. Provide support (in conjunction with the host institution) as faculty leaders implement

contracts and arrangements for housing, transportation, academic facilities/staff, and other program-related activities abroad.

Publicize the program, recruit students, print and distribute brochures, catalogs and pre-departure guides, maintain web site, and conduct promotional activities, including Study Abroad fairs.

Advise students. Process student applications based on faculty approval and send out acceptance letters and

forms. Monitor course registration, payment schedule, and financial aid disbursement;

communication with faculty leader as needed. Conduct pre-departure Orientation sessions for students, faculty, and staff. Respond to questions and concerns of faculty, students, parents, administrators, and other

staff. Assess risk factors of location and program activities; inform students and faculty on health,

safety, responsibility, and insurance issues. Respond to emergencies or problems before, during, and after the program. Administer post-program study abroad evaluation forms and re-entry advising. Manage budget, assess program fees, monitor expenditures, process payment for program

expenses, and reimburse faculty expenses. Open, reconcile, and close program accounts; manage excess program funds or deficits.

The Role of the Committee on Internationalization (COI):

The COI is a standing committee of the Academic Senate and is comprised of faculty who make recommendations to the Provost and to the Academic Senate. The COI reviews, evaluates, and recommends modifications to FLSA curricular and co-curricular activities; advocates for international students, study abroad, faculty research and exchange, and community integration, within the University and the regions it serves; and ensures integrity and academic excellence in all international activities undertaken by NMU.

TIME LINE A typical development timeline for a new short-term, faculty-led summer program spans 12 to 18 months, from the time the program proposal is submitted to the time the group departs. A generous timeline allows sufficient time to gain support for program concept, arrange on-site logistics, market the program, recruit applicants, and prepare the group for their overseas experience. (As you plan, you may wish to consult the student portion of the OIP web site and familiarize yourself with forms and policies governing their participation.) For all programs, the first step is an appointment with the OIP. A site visit to the host institution is required prior to the formal course proposal and – depending on the program concept – the OIP may send a representative along for this preliminary site visit. The University has established various funding sources in support of new courses, including

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Curriculum Development Funds, and Curricular Internationalization Incentive Program funds. Your academic department head may also have access to funding. The following is a general timeline for summer programs and can be adjusted to fit both short- and long-term programs which depart at other times during the year. Mid- March of Preceding Year

New course proposal (if FLSA includes a new course) approved by Committee on Undergraduate Programs and/or Liberal Studies Committee and COI

May/June/July

Arrange a meeting with OIP coordinator to discuss site logistics and recruiting strategies

Arrange site visit (if leader has not already visited location) Develop program budget and fee schedule Provide OIP brief descriptive web text and related links

July/August

Finalize program itinerary OIP publishes final program budget and fees Work with OIP to schedule recruiting presentations

September

Attend Faculty-Led Study Abroad Orientation session(s) Begin to promote the program and recruit students Take part in the annual Fall Study Abroad Fair

October/November/December

Continue to market the program and recruit students – inter-departmental classroom visits may be effective tools

Screen cumulative GPA record and course pre-requisites for interested students and direct qualified students to OIP for application

Require a travel health evaluation of all applicants to insure ability to participate in the program.

OIP reviews applications and notifies students of acceptance status January

Continue contacts with Host Institution and OIP Coordinator OIP continues to accept applications and establishes a waiting list when caps are

reached Set pre-departure class meeting schedule and notify participants Order course materials

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February/March

February 25: Final payment for all FLSA semester programs Notify students of mandatory OIP general orientation meeting Students continue to make scheduled program payments

April

Submit final itinerary to OIP Make final preparations

May/June/July

Depart Notify OIP of final student arrivals

June/July/August

Complete Post-Program evaluations and forward copies to OIP Submit Incident Reports and Log to OIP Complete final travel settlements

DEVELOPING THE PROGRAM BUDGET Program Fee Faculty members work with the OIP to develop the program fee by providing a detailed program itinerary and preliminary budget. The budget must include all expenses associated with the program. A budget worksheet is available from the OIP. Programs are funded entirely by students’ fees and must be approved by the OIP. Departments can opt to subsidize all or a portion of a program, but this would be the exception rather than the rule. When developing the program fee you must take into account all of the costs associated with the program. Once fees are established and published, there will be no opportunity to increase the program fee. Note: Program fees do not include airfare, tuition, spending money, books, supplies, or unexpected miscellaneous expenses. However, these additional expenses must be considered when developing the FLSA course budget. Total program cost is important when recruiting students and for Financial Aid considerations. As you develop the basic budget, please consider the following items:

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Transportation It is necessary to be familiar with the ground transportation your course will require. Arrange safe reliable transportation.

Will you need a rail or bus pass? How reliable and available are taxis? Is it better to fly between countries?

Only travel related to the mission of a FLSA can be included in a program fee. Private travel, if allowed, is the responsibility of the individual faculty member or student. Housing Housing for students and faculty is one of the most important facets of planning a study abroad program.

Will students stay in a hostel, hotel, apartment, or with a local family? How are host families screened and reimbursed? Is the housing affordable? Is it conveniently located? Is there a shuttle bus available from the airport? Other arrival service? What are the cancellation policies? Is there a contract between the provider and NMU? What is the total fee?

Whenever possible, faculty leaders should live on-site or close to the student group and be accessible to the group at all times (24/7) via cell phone. Meals It is important to find out if meals are included in housing arrangements:

How many meals and at what times are they provided per day? Are meals included on weekends? Will students have access to kitchens to prepare their own food? Are the restaurants convenient and affordable? If you are doing an extended field experience are supplies available? How will you get them? Is the water safe? If meals are not included in the housing arrangement, money for meals must be included

in the program fee. How will you plan to dispense meal allowances to students?

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Insurance Program fees will include mandatory insurance coverage, provided through a carrier identified by the Risk Assessment & Management Committee. Classroom Space

Do you need a classroom or require a private area for instruction? Is the space in good repair and in a safe area of your host site?

FLSAs hosted at partnering institutions of higher education can often make arrangements to use classroom space on their campus. This process is more difficult if you are moving from city to city or actively engaged in a field experience. Other sites to consider include local hotel conference rooms. Field Trips

Will the course include field trips or other excursions? What are the fees associated with the activities? What provisions have been made for medical and other emergencies?

Cell/Satellite Phone The faculty leader is required to have a cell or satellite phone during the trip. It is recommended to acquire or rent the phone in the host country. The host institution can help to arrange this service. Entry and Exit Immigration Fees Students are responsible for paying all immigration fees (including required visas). The faculty leader’s immigration fees may be covered in the FLSA budget. Faculty Fee Program fees must pay for all of the faculty travel and instructional costs, including transportation, housing, meals and course materials. Faculty will receive a stipend to conduct a FLSA course, which may include release time assignment. Administrative Fee The OIP has been authorized to assess a $125 per student administrative fee. Contingency Fee This fee covers costs which may arise unexpectedly. For example, exchange rates change on a daily basis. Once FLSA course fees are posted you cannot go back and ask for more money if some of the projected costs increase.

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Miscellaneous Expenses These expenses will be specific to your trip. There is room for them on the budget worksheet.

NON-PROGRAM FEE CONSIDERATIONS Although not included in the program fee there are other costs associated with a FLSA course. These costs will be included on the student’s financial aid budget and should be disclosed when recruiting for the FLSA program: Tuition FLSA courses are usually 1-8 credits. Courses offered during the fall and winter semesters fall under the flat-rate tuition fee schedule. Summer semester courses are not covered under the flat tuition rate, and students pay tuition for each individual course. Summer credits are calculated at 50 minutes x 15/credit and 100 minimum for lab-excursion activities. Credit should not be given for travel to a destination. Airfare Although airfare is not included in the program fee it is important to consider when estimating total program costs. Cheapest is not always best. Cheap airline tickets carry many restrictions and may require numerous connections and long layovers. In addition, some inexpensive tickets involve multiple carriers, which may or may not be obligated to honor delays and canceled flights with one another. When estimating airfare fees, be frugal yet practical. Students may make their own airline reservations but a standard estimate will be included in the Financial Aid Budget prepared by the OIP. Books/Supplies/Materials This may include textbooks, course-packs, journals, camping gear, etc. Passport and Visa Passports are required for all international travel. Many host countries will require visas specific to the purpose of your visit. All visa costs are covered by the student. Be aware that international students enrolled in an NMU FLSA program may have different visa restrictions and/or requirements than those for students with US citizenship.

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Spending Money The current standard accepted for financial aid purposes is $100 per week. In many cases, however, the OIP has been able to revise these figures based on U.S. State Department per diem rates or on other information provided by the host institution.

SELECTING STUDENTS As part of your course proposal, you will determine academic standards for your FLSA program. Students must also meet minimum requirements set forth in the Undergraduate Bulletin for ALL study abroad participants:

Academic standing and performance: Students must meet a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 (undergraduate) and 3.0 (graduate) in addition to meeting academic requirements and prerequisites of the specific course to which they are applying. (Some exceptions may be considered on an individual basis.)

Students on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension at the time of the scheduled FLSA are not eligible to participate.

You may also wish to develop supplemental application materials to be included in the general Student Application for Study Abroad packet. Examples include:

Language pledge Discipline-specific essay

Northern Michigan University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, familial status, handicap/disability, sexual orientation or veteran status in employment or the provision of services, and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities and equal opportunity to participate in all programs and activities.

STUDENT APPLICATIONS The Faculty Leader should direct all qualified students to complete the NMU “Faculty-Led Study Abroad Student Packet” (available in the Office of International Programs.) Upon request, a limited number of paper applications may be provided to the sponsoring academic department.

All application materials are to be submitted directly to the Office of International Programs

145 Whitman Hall – (906) 227-2510

The OIP reviews application materials on a rolling basis and notifies students of acceptance status (approved, approved with additional conditions, not approved).

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Faculty Leaders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the student application packet materials and may review applications in the Office of International Programs during scheduled office hours. The OIP will not copy or send materials outside the OIP. Individual student emergency information forms will be copied and distributed to each Faculty Leader prior to departure. These forms must be available to the Faculty Leader in compliance with standards set forth in the Health and Safety and Emergency Procedures sections of this handbook. Late Applicants All students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Unless there are open spots on your program, please do not encourage students to apply past the published deadline. A rushed application can result in increased mistakes. It also does little to prepare the student emotionally or intellectually for the overall study abroad experience. Additional consequences of accepting late applications include:

Insufficient time for students to secure funding (financial aid, scholarships and other sources), purchase an inexpensive airline ticket, have courses pre-approved, obtain a passport, visa, hostel cards, etc., attend orientation; pay program fees and tuition prior to departure; and to take advantage of pre-departure community building and instruction.

Insufficient time for faculty to review late applicants, conduct interviews, and orient the late student.

Insufficient time for the OIP to process the application (particularly judicial and academic clearance, health forms); provide individual general orientation materials; correct any changes to housing, billing, purchase and payment of on-site activities, etc.

If student housing has been reserved based on your budgeted enrollment, please do NOT accept additional students until you confirm that additional housing is, indeed, available.

PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION SESSIONS Faculty Leaders First-time Faculty Leaders are required to attend a Faculty Leader Orientation session, conducted by the OIP in each academicin the fall semester. University policy is clear: If a Faculty Leader fails to attend the mandated pre-departure orientation, the program/students will not leave the United States. The strong language emphasizes the intent of these pre-departure sessions: to provide you and any program staff with the tools, resources, and emergency protocols you will need to provide the most richly rewarding and safe academic experience possible for your students.

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In these sessions, the OIP trains faculty leaders and any other supporting program staff in:

Health and safety measures Risk management policies Legal issues Emergency response procedures Strategies for handling cross-cultural expectations and encounters Strategies for managing minor and major student behavioral issues

Students Faculty Leaders should incorporate 2 types of pre-departure class sessions into their FLSA program design:

Recruiting: 2-3 sessions – usually in the fall semester, following the Study Abroad Fair

Orientation: 2 or more class sessions specific to the FLSA program/course(s), conducted by the Faculty Leader, and one Mandatory General Pre-Departure Orientation session, conducted by the OIP for ALL study abroad students, generally in late March, early April. (Spring break programs will require a special session of general orientation.)

In addition to research design and other academic components, students report that they enriched their overall FLSA experience with pre-departure research into the customs, practices, and issues of their host country(s). Of course, short-term programs cannot give students the same kind of cultural immersion as longer programs. Students should be cautioned against the danger inherent in short-term contact with the host culture, namely over-simplifying the culture and stereotyping its members based on very limited knowledge and experience. While it makes good sense to talk with your students about culture shock, cross-cultural communication, and cultural adaptation at a general level, your in-class sessions will be most effective when they are focused, addressing the specific issues and scenarios your students are likely to encounter in the particular country during the particular FLSA program. Some topics to consider include: Course Information Faculty members should explicitly address the following topics. In the excitement of “everything’s new!” a surprising number of students overlook the most obvious details:

How to apply to the program (through the Office of International Programs) How to register in your specific course section. Academic policies specific to your program Course objectives, syllabi and assessments Any preliminary coursework the students must complete before the program begins.

Remind the students that your program is short and intense, and they should be prepared to hit the ground running.

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Country-Specific Information No matter what the academic component of the program, students should leave campus with a basic knowledge of the host country’s history and current events. Some ways to approach these goals:

Ask students to collect journal articles and newspaper reports about the country. (The OIP maintains a list of international newspapers published in English.)

Invite an NMU international student into the classroom – not only for country-specific information, but insight into what it’s like to be a college student in a foreign culture.

Prepare a list of suggested reading material and other media resources, such as films, on-line blogs and travel sites, etc. The OIP also maintains a subscription to several helpful publications and journals.

Discuss broad cultural forces impacting your field in the host country or region, including social/dating customs and practices experienced by local college-aged students.

“Getting to Know You” Students often comment that they wish they’d had a better opportunity to meet other participants prior to the program – to find a travel buddy and build a support network. Building social activities into the class design gives the faculty leader an excellent chance to promote a positive group dynamic. How about winding up your pre-departure class experience with a celebratory feast – each participant contributing taster samples from the host country cuisine? Student Conduct At a minimum, all students must be advised of the standard disciplinary procedures outlined in this Handbook, which include a progression from verbal to written warnings (with student signature), as well as the possibility of immediate dismissal. (For an extended discussion of Disciplinary Procedures, please refer to page 26 of this Handbook.) Student participants are also governed by the NMU Student Handbook and Code of Conduct throughout the program. In addition, some faculty leaders find it useful to develop their own set of supplemental policies, sometimes with input from the student participants. Examples include language pledges as well as basic “rules of the road” to promote a positive group dynamic. By putting your expectations in writing and asking students to sign an agreement, you encourage students to take the program – and one another’s individual success – seriously. (A sample course-specific code is available in the Office of International Programs.) The Office of International Programs offers a Cross-Cultural Training Pack for use by faculty leaders in pre-departure classroom sessions. The OIP is also happy to provide staff support for individual in-class sessions at the discretion of the leader.

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General Orientation Session ALL students and accompanying program assistants are required to attend the General Study Abroad Orientation scheduled by the OIP each semester, usually at two separate dates and times. A partial list of topics covered during this session is:

Tips on Packing, Money Management, and International Travel

NMU policies related to study abroad, including Laptop usage and repair

Health and Personal Risk Management, including Liability

Disciplinary Procedures, including program dismissal

Emergency Protocols

Strategies for Handling Anti-American criticism

Communicating with Home

Re-Entry and Post-Program Evaluation

Ways to Extend the International Experience, including: o Peer Mentor Program for potential study abroad students o Photo and essay contests, sponsored from time to timeyearly by the Office of

International Programs o Service at OIP recruiting fairs and campus activities

The general student orientation packet includes the following:

Emergency Numbers and Cell Phone Requirement – each student has a copy.

A copy of the insurance coverage info as well as the OIP Emergency Line telephone number (wallet card)

Parent letter – itinerary and emergency numbers

In addition, the Faculty Leader will be issued:

A copy of certain student records – class roster, emergency information sheets, any necessary medical documents

Copies of student passport photo pages

FLSA Leader Handbook (this one) – with emergency protocol checklist

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II. RESPONSIBILITIES ABROAD

“Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak in foreign languages.”

-- Humorist, Dave Berry

On-site supervision is perhaps the most important role a Faculty Leader plays – at times superseding actual classroom instruction. You will not always be personally responsible for each component of the program, but you remain ultimately responsible for their oversight. As an example, you may not personally drive the bus that takes students on a tour of the local archaeological digs, but you are responsible for ensuring that the tour guide is properly credentialed, knowledgeable, and capable of communicating with your students. On the other hand, your adult students will want maximum freedom to make their own decisions, some of them riskier than others. What’s a faculty leader to do? This is where the wisdom of a thorough orientation program becomes crystal clear. You can’t stop a student from eating local delicacies provided by a street vendor, but you can give students fair warning about standards for food preparation. In doing so, you shift responsibility for most decisions to where it rightly belongs – the student. There are other practical steps you can take to ensure a positive group dynamic and to guard against issues and concerns that will inevitably arise. Arrival Please contact the OIP upon arrival to confirm that all members of the group have arrived safely. A pre-determined meeting time and place is strongly encouraged for a quick group check-in prior to housing assignments. (It’s also a great time to take a group photo for publicity purposes.) In the event a student fails to arrive as scheduled, contact the OIP immediately and remain in close contact as all parties attempt to locate the student. Failure to locate the student is considered an Emergency, and emergency protocols will be implemented. After the initial contact, plan to stay in touch with the OIP on a weekly basis. (E-mail is generally sufficient.) Please mention any concerns – big or small – no matter whether they’ve already been resolved, so that the OIP can be prepared to address inquiries from concerned parents. Nothing escalates parental anxiety more than calling the office that is responsible for their child’s well-being only to find that the office is unaware that a concern may exist. Even if all is well, just send a quick email stating this. The OIP is always on hand to help.

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Program Cell Phone The OIP expects all faculty leaders to arrange for the lease/purchase of a cell phone for use during normal program operations as well as emergencies. Your host institution is a good source of information about providers and in-country usage. Students must carry the program cell phone number with them as part of the general safety & emergency protocols. Take a few minutes to familiarize your students with the intricacies of dialing in-country numbers, including the use of pay phones and locally purchased telephone cards. Jet Lag & Travel Tummy As part of your initial on-site orientation, it’s a good idea to reassure your students that even the most seasoned traveler can experience minor ailments and a general sense of malaise as a result of jumping time zones. In our experience, those who have well-developed inner clocks suffer the most from disruption to their normal schedule. Please reassure them that with rest, a healthy diet, and lots of fluids, symptoms usually settle down within the first few days of travel. In particular, student travelers may report initial adjustment issues with stomach and bowels. If these symptoms do not resolve, you may need to help the student seek medical care. On-Site Orientation: Faculty leaders should build some time early in the program – perhaps the first full day after arrival – for students to “decompress” and receive an on-site orientation that expands on topics covered in pre-departure class sessions. An on-site orientation may be arranged in conjunction with the host institution and may include topics such as:

Demonstration of how to use local phone cards A walking tour of the area immediately around the host accommodations Introductions to host institution staff and other vendors (bus driver, tour guide, etc.)

(This is a great time to reinforce the rules for interacting with those individuals.) A “getting to know you” game to encourage group cohesion

TIP: This is also a great time to encourage students to drop a quick email or telephone home so that loved ones don’t worry unnecessarily. If your students haven’t done so yet – help them do so! Culture Shock You should be prepared to recognize some of the typical signs of culture shock – a real phenomenon that accompanies multiple challenges to the participant’s expectations. The cognitive noise produced by these rapid shifts can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including: excessive sleep or insomnia; feelings of helplessness and irritability; homesickness and loneliness; loss of appetite or compulsive eating; decline in spontaneity and flexibility; unexplainable crying or emotional outbursts; inability to concentrate or work effectively; unfair attacks or stereotyping of the host culture; general depression.

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Most students will experience some degree of culture shock in the first few days after arrival, others not until one or two weeks into the program. Some will experience little or no culture shock while on the program, but may experience “reverse culture shock” after they return to normal routines back home. The symptoms of culture shock vary from individual to individual. A careful pre-departure orientation can do much to adjust expectations prior to arrival. If the student continues to struggle, be alert for ways you can help them to adjust. It may be as simple as a sympathetic ear. Assigning a local peer mentor and full engagement in scheduled class activities may also help. Housing You will have arranged accommodations as part of the FLSA program design. Depending on the format, you will act as a liaison between the students and the host institution, home stay members, and/or hotel manager, as well as with those local individuals who provide services related to class activities (bus drivers, tour guides, interpreters, etc.) If cross-cultural issues or concerns regarding accurate interpretation of the host culture arise, defer to the local experts whenever possible. Many misunderstandings can be avoided if you rely on the considerable expertise and local knowledge of your hosts. Upon arrival, make sure all students are comfortably settled in their assigned housing, and that they understand how to contact you in the event of a concern or an emergency. This is the time to collect the students’ individual telephone numbers – both for yourself and for the OIP – to make sure students can be easily contacted in the event of an emergency or a change in plans. If your program travels from site to site, you may find it useful to rotate housing assignments to avoid cliques and to promote group cohesion. Whenever possible, all student rooms should be equipped with locks. Please brief your students on the local customs for securing hotel keys and other valuables. Homestay families must be screened, and you should know the details of the screening process employed by your host institution or service provider. Providers should be willing to change a student’s housing assignment on short notice in the event of significant concerns. If they are unwilling to make such changes, do not use their services. From time to time, some students will express dissatisfaction with their housing assignment. You may wish to gently remind them that the purpose of studying abroad is to expose themselves to other ways of living, and this includes exposure to conditions that are typical for students of the host country. This may mean that NMU students abroad experience what they perceive as a lower standard of living than they would in the U.S. Try to determine the exact source of the dissatisfaction. Is the source typical for the residents of the host culture (different toilets, weekly laundry, small rooms, etc.)? This is a great opportunity to initiate a discussion about perception versus actual differences.

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Having said this, NMU makes every effort to ensure the safety and security of all students. No student is ever expected to stay in accommodations which are unsafe. The Faculty Leader should change a student’s accommodation if – for example – the student complains of sexual harassment, suspicious roommates, stolen items, aggressive homestay parents, or other problems. Please take all complaints seriously and determine to err on the side of caution. In no instance should you – the faculty leader – share accommodation with a student. Non-Participating Family Members: NMU cannot provide administrative support or accommodation (housing, childcare, etc.) or assume any responsibility for accompanying non-participants. Accompanying non-participants are limited to spouses/partners and children. They are not covered by university-arranged insurance (with the exception of domestic benefits negotiated as part of AAUP contractual language). Accompanying non-participants cannot attend classes, field trips, or any other activities formally associated with the program. In addition, the faculty leader will want to carefully explain to students that no part of their program fee has been used to support the accompanying family member(s). NMU strongly encourages faculty leaders of short-term programs to carefully consider potential concerns, responsibilities and extent of University liability coverage before involving non-participating family members. While most students can – and do – find it enjoyable to interact with your family members, non-participants pose their own set of challenges and disruptions. The students have the right to expect your full engagement with all aspects of the program. Financial Concerns Working with the OIP, you will have pre-paid as many of the budgeted items as possible. The OIP will also have established a contingency funding plan to cover unanticipated program expenses. The plan may include a traveling cash fund, your NMU-issued credit card, and/or your departmental credit card. All expenditures which fall outside the original approved program budget must be justified by itemized receipts. If your provider is unable to provide a receipt form, you may write one for expenditures less than $50. A hand-written receipt must include your name, the date, the expense, the amount, and the signature of the recipient of your payment. All program receipts must be turned into the Controller’s Office as part of travel settlement procedures within 30 days of the program’s conclusion. If you plan to disburse money to students (meal allowances, museum entry fees, etc.), please write a receipt for the students to sign. Under normal circumstances, you should not loan money to students, but in the event of an emergency – due to theft or misplaced belongings – a small loan of up to $100 may be issued from contingency funds. You will, of course, want to help the student report any losses, including credit cards, to local authorities and to the offices which issued the funds. You can also help the student arrange alternate funding (wire transfers, cash advances, etc.) from home.

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To guard against loss of property, do not carry large amounts of money with you. Encourage your students to leave at home any personal items that hold sentimental or high dollar value. Do not deposit program funds into your personal US account and then travel abroad with a “blank check.” Even though it may be made payable to the vendor, you will have to wait for the check to be cleared through the US bank, a process which can take up to several weeks. And, if you have a bank account already established on-site in the host country, don’t assume your transactions will occur on the same schedule you’d expect at home. It is very difficult for the OIP to assist you if you have not made advance arrangements for paying program vendors. You – and your students – will probably utilize the ATMs on site for personal funds. ATMs provide ready cash, converted to the local currency. Daily withdrawals are usually limited; if you feel you need a larger daily limit, contact your bank prior to departure. Note: the increased daily withdrawal limit may be linked to US banking hours, so check out the terms. You don’t want to be stranded over a long weekend without the necessary cash reserves! Likewise, if you plan to use personal credit cards while overseas, you should contact your card carrier before you leave. Credit card companies can – and probably will – report any unusual activity on your card, and may freeze funds until they contact you personally. They may also provide legal, medical and financial services around the world, 24 hours a day, including emergency cash advances and card replacement (often within hours). Credit cards often offer favorable exchange rates and are a convenient form of payment in most locations – sometimes too convenient. The cute earrings and one-of-a-kind local weaving that look so appealing at the local street fair have a way of adding up to a big bill, with interest, when students return home! Many of your students will be using financial aid, including loans, as part or all of their study abroad funding. You may wish to include basic financial stewardship in your pre-departure and on-site student orientation. It is always a good idea to travel with several forms of funding. It is also a good idea to advise students to travel with a two-day reserve of cash (US dollars are fine) to cover unanticipated delays in travel. Resolving Behavioral Concerns “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” -- Anon. As we’ve already mentioned (several times), your biggest challenge as faculty leader may not be in the form of an emergency, financial headaches, or language barrier, but rather – student behavioral issues and intra-group conflicts. Not only are you monitoring classroom behavior, but also student behavior in homestays or hotels, on field trips and cultural events, at the airport, and other public venues. Disciplinary issues are rarely anticipated events! Despite our mutual efforts to screen student applicants, situations may occur for which there were no apparent previous indicators.

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It is always important for the leader to set the tone and to be prepared to handle a wide variety of behavioral issues on-site. The approach you adopt will depend on the situation, the cultural context, and your own personal style. In general, we advocate the following points to consider as you determine the best course of action:

Start with the least extreme response and work your way through established disciplinary procedures as warranted.

You can – and should – hold your students accountable to one another and to members

of the host culture. You may want to involve them in preparing group “rules and expectations” as well as consequences for minor offenses. A forced personal apology to those they’ve offended can be quite effective.

Peer-to-peer pressure is still a powerful tool in managing unacceptable behavior, but

you should avoid setting up unintended cliques in response to specific situations and incidents.

You may always refer students to the “Student Statement of Rights & Responsibilities” they signed as part of their application. Be aware, as well, of the general policies outlined in the NMU Student Handbook. Students are ultimately responsible for understanding their role in meeting rules and regulations enforced through the NMU Dean of Students office as well as any judiciary processes it has established.

Role-Play and rehearse your response to the following classic examples of behavioral

issues that regularly arise and add a few of your own. The better you prepare, the better your response:

o A student regularly shows up late to class, and drunk. The instructors at the host institution are offended and want the student to be dismissed from the program.

o A student staying with a host family repeatedly invites an overnight guest of the opposite sex. House rules are violated, and the family has requested that you find the student another place to stay.

o A student regularly misses Monday class due to independent travel. o A student refuses to participate in scheduled group activities and does not get

along with his or her roommate. o Student A is observed going into Student B’s dorm room when Student B is

absent. Student B accuses Student A of stealing.

Be sure your students understand their ambassadorial role. Their behavior impacts the group as a whole as well as NMU’s relations with the host institution, the homestay family, and other parties.

Remind students of the consequences for early withdrawal – whether the decision is

their own or the leader’s. (Refer to formal guidelines for addressing serious behavioral issues, as outlined later in this section.) Students who withdraw for any reason remain responsible for paying all program fees and any additional charges, such as the cost of an airline ticket home. Dropping a class may have serious consequences to future

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financial aid. Sometimes, a simple reminder of financial outcomes to their personal choices is an effective tool in encouraging good behavior.

Dismissing a student from the program should be your last resort, but it will be

necessary in instances where the student engages in behavior that is illegal in the host country, demonstrates a physical danger to himself or others, or if the student becomes dangerously ill and requires medical attention not available in the program country.

Incident Log Whether the problem behavior is minor or significant, we ask that you keep a written log of your observations and your discussions with the student(s) who are involved. Let the student know you are documenting his/her exact words. This is an especially effective tool if the student is using offensive language or making accusations. Asking the student to repeat words while you are writing it down can serve to diffuse the situation and may prevent future verbal confrontations. If a student becomes irrational or aggressive, it is best to walk away from the confrontation and document the encounter as soon as possible. Food for thought: Even though you may personally disapprove of certain behaviors (such as a romance that develops between your student and a local resident), if the behavior occurs on the student’s personal time and does not disrupt the group learning process, you are not responsible. If the behavior violates program rules (such as a requirement to stay in program housing or prohibition against traveling alone at night), then the student has violated guidelines set in the Student Statement of Rights & Responsibilities (available in the Office of International Programs), and you may follow the disciplinary procedures outlined below. More food: You are never alone in resolving behavioral issues. You may consult the OIP at any time, before and after the program begins. You must alert the OIP to serious issues. While you may be dealing quite well with the situation on-site, it is likely that OIP staff members are dealing with parents and/or other university personnel. The version the student reports to them may differ significantly from yours. The OIP will certainly consider the student’s perspective, but needs to hear and understand yours as well. If in doubt – e-mail or call the OIP. Staff can assist you in resolving most student issues. Major Behavioral Issues There are some circumstances under which the faculty leader, local resident leader or designated NMU staff member may have the authority to immediately dismiss a student from the study abroad program. Such circumstances may include:

Conduct that violates the NMU Student Code of Conduct

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Violation of the laws, rules, regulations and customs of the host country, community, institution, or program

Behavior that is disruptive and detrimental to the group learning process and academic success of the program

Conduct that damages or destroys property of another person, institution, or organization

Repeated offenses or severe infractions of the program rules and regulations Alcohol misuse (see discussion below) Physical or sexual assault Possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs Setting a fire or possession of explosives Possession of a weapon, including BB guns and knives Theft Behavior that gives the faculty leader and the OIP reasonable cause to believe that the

continued presence of the student in the program constitutes a danger to their personal health or safety, persons or property, or threatens the future viability of the program

Drug Use and Alcohol Misuse Students are subject to laws of the host country regarding minimum drinking age and drug use. Students who violate the host country laws may be immediately dismissed. Students in compliance with host country rules are not subject to Michigan laws regarding a minimum drinking age. They are, however, subject to guidelines set forth in the Student Statement of Rights & Responsibilities and to any Code of Conduct specific to your FLSA program. NMU has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the possession, use, manufacture, production, sale, exchange, or distribution of illegal drugs by students participating in study abroad programs. Students who use drugs will face disciplinary action even if they have not violated local laws. Almost any program leader, anywhere in the world, can tell stories about bad behavior that is linked to alcohol or drug misuse. And it’s true: it’s tempting to pass judgment on the alcohol rather than the behavior. Yet, it’s just as true that most NMU students are able to drink responsibly. If a student becomes disruptive and alcohol is involved, focus on the behavior and make it clear that all students are expected to behave responsibly. Drunkenness is no excuse for poor behavior and is frowned on in most countries around the world. Let your students know that excessive use of alcohol hinders their ability to accurately assess and respond to risk. Students are encouraged to use good judgment when consuming alcohol at private homes or other accommodations during non-program hours. If members of your group are abusing alcohol, encourage students to discuss these issues with you, or with the resident leader. Encourage your students to look out for one another and keep one another safe. In the event a student becomes incapacitated due to alcohol overuse, or if he/she needs medical attention, others are strongly encouraged to contact a local emergency medical service, the faculty leader or resident leader immediately in order to protect the health and well-being of the affected student. Peers are encouraged to act quickly; in most cases the person or person(s) making the call will not be subject to formal disciplinary action.

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These policies also include faculty leaders. Faculty members who would never consider holding a class at a local bar on campus should apply similar standards on the overseas program. Drunkenness is unprofessional behavior and sends a contradictory message to your students. Keep it simple: No NMU funds are to be used to purchase alcohol. Faculty members should carefully consider their role in promoting responsible use and personal safety management. If students are individually purchasing alcohol at a group function, it is your responsibility to monitor responsible use. You must be capable of handling emergencies when they arise. It is strongly encouraged that you avoid or limit your consumption of alcohol at such functions. Disciplinary Action When students are accepted to an NMU study abroad program, they are required to sign a Student Statement of Rights & Responsibilities (see Appendix). This statement outlines expected behaviors and consequences for violation. Please refer to this Statement when discussing conduct and discipline with participants. In the event of an incident/infraction where there is an allegation of a violation of laws, regulations, or customs of the host country, community, institution, or program, or a violation of the general NMU Student Code of Conduct, but the infraction does not pose immediate danger to others, the following procedures will apply:

1. Verbal Notification: The faculty leader, on-site resident leader, program assistants representing the OIP will investigate the alleged violation using available resources. They will have a frank discussion with the student concerning expectations and consequences and reasons the action(s) were inappropriate, giving the student an opportunity to respond in person and to present any witnesses, or to ask questions of witnesses. Unless there is clear and immediate danger to the health or safety or persons or property, do not involve the local authorities. If it becomes necessary, you may restrict the activities of the student. Send an e-mail summary of your verbal discussion to OIP and copy the student. This will serve as documentation and provide written clarification to the student.

2. Written Notification: If the discussion does not result in mutual understanding, and if

the behavior continues, first inform and consult with the OIP regarding the alleged violation. The OIP will provide suggested language to incorporate into a written warning, including clear expectations and consequences.

In general, a written warning will include:

date location detailed description of the alleged misbehavior, and why it was considered

inappropriate clearly stated expectations and consequences (including restricted activities, if

applicable) that will remain in effect for the duration of the program

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Indication that this is the final warning and that any continuation of the undesirable behavior will result in immediate dismissal with no refund.

Academic credit and grade will be awarded according to NMU policy (see “Withdrawal” section).

3. Housing Reassignment or Program Dismissal: If after the facts have been examined

and after discussion and authorization from the OIP, it has been decided to reassign housing or dismiss the student from the program, the OIP will direct you in coordinating actions and inform the student in writing of the decision. Depending on the severity of the circumstances, one or more of the following may apply:

Reassignment to another housing location, if available. Written dismissal from the study abroad program (which automatically means

dismissal from NMU for that semester or summer session). OIP will work with the faculty leader’s department to facilitate any dismissals.

Report submitted to the NMU Judicial Affairs Officer to become part of the student’s record. This referral to the NMU Judicial system may include a hearing upon return to NMU.

May prevent the student from participation in future study abroad programs. Other action, as required.

Procedures for Immediate Dismissal: If a student has committed a violation that requires immediate dismissal, review your course of action for dismissal with the OIP. If you haven’t done so yet, document the violation(s) and response in writing. Provide a copy to the student and to the OIP. In this letter, the student must be informed that she/he is no longer considered a participant in the program and must leave the residence by a designated date and time. Have the student sign and date the statement, acknowledging that he/she is no longer a participant. If the student refuses to sign the document, have a witness sign a statement stating that the student has been dismissed but refuses to sign the form. A sample statement may read as follows:

“I understand that due to my inappropriate behavior in violation of the Statement of Responsibility that I signed upon acceptance to the program, I am no longer eligible to participate in this program. I understand that effective immediately, I am no longer a study abroad participant under the sponsorship of NMU and that my insurance coverage will be terminated when I return to the United States, or at the conclusion of formal FLSA program activities, whichever occurs earlier.”

Also inform the student that he/she may be referred to the NMU judicial system for a hearing upon his/her return to campus and that he/she is subject to some form of formal disciplinary

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action, including probation, required assessment and/or attendance at educational programs, referral for assessment and treatment, and/or suspension from Northern Michigan University. If a student is dismissed for disciplinary reasons during a semester, grades are assigned as described in the following “voluntary” withdrawal section. Voluntary Withdrawal from a Program If a student has arrived at the official program site and decides to withdraw, he or she must begin by discussingion the situation with the program personnel on site. The NMU personnel (usually the faculty leader) should consult with the OIP to determine whether alternate solutions are available. If, after consultation, the student still wishes to withdraw from the program, he or she must submit a written statement – signed and dated – offering an explanation for the decision. This statement must indicate that the student understands that effective with the date indicated, he or she will no longer be considered a student or participant in the program. FAX this signed and dated form to the OIP immediately. The OIP will give due consideration to any student who leaves a study abroad program because of an emergency situation or illness (either personal or involving a family member). The student must still submit a written statement of withdrawal to the on-site faculty leader or resident leader and to the OIP. The student is financially liable as outlined in the Statement of Rights & Responsibilities. Should a student need to return home due to an emergency, the faculty member should contact the OIP to initiate emergency funding available through the designated overseas insurance carrier. Refund Policies Your students have signed a Student Statement of Rights & Responsibilities which includes information on non-refundable program payments/administrative fees as well as tuition refunds. In general, tuition refunds are governed by the University academic calendar.

Financial Aid: In addition to billing for dropped credits associated with voluntary withdrawal, there may be additional billing, particularly if the student has received federal financial aid funds which were to have covered the entire session’s educational costs. Withdrawal from any semester during the regular academic year may result in cancellation of a student’s financial aid award for the remainder of the academic year.

Scholarships: If a student withdraws from a program for any reason (voluntary or

involuntary), he or she may be required to return any scholarship funds disbursed through the OIP. If the withdrawal is done after the award has been disbursed, the student will be billed for the award amount. This amount will be posted and due on the NMU student account.

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Grades Upon official withdrawal from the University, symbols (grades) are assigned to courses in which the student was enrolled according to the effective date of withdrawal. If a student needs to withdraw from a course for serious reasons (medical, crime, crisis, family emergency, etc.), and not withdraw from the program, the assigned grade is determined by the college’s dean. The type of grade recommended by the dean will take into account the medical condition/concern/crisis that prompted the withdrawal.

Unauthorized Withdrawal from the Program A faculty leader is expected to check attendance and general well-being of every student, every day. If a student misses class and/or a scheduled program activity, without explanation, the faculty leader must take steps to determine the location of the student. If the student cannot be located, it will be considered an emergency, and the OIP will initiate contact with person(s) listed in the student’s application packet. If, after investigation, it is determined that an emergency situation does not apply, the student will be reminded that attendance is a critical part of the study abroad experience. A student who, through his or her absence, demonstrates that he or she has withdrawn from the program during a semester or session without obtaining an official withdrawal will be reported as having failed all courses. A student who leaves the University without formally withdrawing forfeits any fees or deposits paid to the University. The student will continue to receive and be responsible for payment of tuition and course fees and study abroad program fees. Re-enrollment in the University will not be granted until all debts are cleared.

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III. HEALTH & SAFETY

Although study overseas is likely no more dangerous than traveling and attending a university in the U.S., you may encounter unique risks to health and safety, and difficulty in responding to these situations. NMU and the OIP are committed to helping you provide a safe and secure environment for our students. We recognize the importance of establishing policies and procedures in an effort to protect the safety and well-being of study abroad participants, while acknowledging that no single plan can address all contingencies. Listed below are a few of the steps NMU takes to minimize and manage risks – before and during the study abroad program:

As part of a systematic evaluation process, the OIP regularly monitors safety, security and overall quality for each of our program locations.

NMU strongly discourages travel to destinations that have a warning or advisory issued

by the U.S. State Department and/or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Exceptional

cases may be approved with prior written approval from the University Provost and the

Risk Assessment & Management Committee.

A Study Abroad Risk Assessment and Management Committee is appointed by the Provost and chaired by the Executive Director of International Programs. This team makes recommendations concerning risk and safety management of programs and sites and, at the direction of the Provost, has the ability to cancel programs or request revisions which address safety and security concerns particular to a given country or region.

All participants are required to attend one or more general orientation sessions which stress the importance of safety and interpreting observed cultural differences. Most programs also provide on-site country- and city-specific orientation sessions.

Emergency procedures are in place, including medical and general emergency

evacuation procedures. In any emergency, the OIP assembles a first-response team, ready to be in contact with faculty and students abroad and to direct the standing emergency protocol.

All program leaders who accompany NMU study abroad programs are required to

attend a pre-departure orientation in which emergency readiness and official emergency procedures are thoroughly covered by OIP and other administrative NMU staff.

The FLSA Leader is required to carry an international cell phone to facilitate

emergency communications.

If medical care is necessary, no student should be left alone without an authorized program representative present to serve as advocate.

A 24/7 telephone line to the OIP desk provides emergency assistance to all members of

the NMU community who are abroad on University courses. Calls are processed following a detailed emergency protocol. The OIP Emergency Number is published on

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a wallet-sized card and is given to all students at orientation. The direct dial number from overseas is + 1 906-227-6411. After regular business hours, the OIP emergency line is automatically forwarded to the dispatch desk at NMU Public Safety; officers follow a detailed protocol and contact the designated member of the OIP staff immediately.

Study abroad participants face a set of risks they may not encounter on the home campus for several reasons. First, they lack real in-depth knowledge of their surroundings as well as the local culture and language. This makes them vulnerable. Second, students who travel in groups tend to “stick out,” making them easy targets for pickpockets as well as unwelcome critics. Third, students who travel abroad sometimes feel they’re in a whole new world where consequences for risky behavior magically disappear. In a genuine spirit of adventure and exuberance, they may act recklessly, endangering their own health and safety. As faculty leader, you may be called upon to assist students more than you would on your home campus. Remain conscious that when incidents occur overseas, their impact on the participants and family/friends back home is often more direct and profound because of the distance and unfamiliar context that separates your group from familiar sources of comfort and support. General Health Information There are many reputable sources for international health and safety information. The NMU study abroad web site has links to several national and international health travel information organizations. These linked sites include the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), an excellent resource for travel-related advice, including the latest public health information regarding disease patterns and outbreaks. Your students will receive similar information as part of their required general orientation. When planning your trip you may also consult with the physician staff at the NMU Health Center about immunizations, prophylactic medications, and other health issues. The Health Center has a full complement of travel-related vaccines and is a designated Yellow Fever vaccination center. Travel health consultations, immunizations and preventive medications are covered benefits of the NMU employee health program. Prescriptions and Pre-Existing Conditions Students participating in OIP programs are required to complete a health screening procedure intended to help students plan for a safe trip by identifying preexisting medical conditions that might require special planning or accommodations. Those students with significant medical issues and those traveling to destinations requiring unique immunizations or preventive medications will also be required to complete a travel medicine consultation with the NMU Health Center staff or a personal physician. Prior to your program’s departure you may be contacted by OIP staff or an NMU Health Center physician to review the particular health care needs of the students in your group. You will not receive personalized health information about your students, but that information will be available to OIP staff who can share it with you in the event of a medical emergency.

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The availability and legality of prescription medications differs from country to country and some countries may require a letter from a physician describing the condition being treated and the prescription drug being taken, including generic names of drugs. Participants should check ahead to see whether narcotics, stimulants or psychiatric medications are legal in the countries they plan to visit. All medications should be kept in original, labeled bottles. Many pharmacies will provide copies of original prescriptions. Advise students to keep all medication-related documents with them in their on-flight carry-on baggage. It may be advisable to carry the actual medications in the carry-on as well, just in case the checked luggage is lost or goes on its own “unauthorized vacation” for a period of time. A complete set of regulations for US departures and arrivals is available at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) web site: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm. Medical Care If someone is injured or ill, get medical help right away. Even if the illness or injury turns out not to be serious, getting immediate medical attention can forestall further problems and will definitely reassure the student as well as the rest of the group. Know in advance where you will seek care for both minor and life-threatening illness and injuries. You and/or the host institution contact should accompany the student to the medical facility and should arrange for language interpretation if needed. Though not a substitute for urgent medical care, you may consult with NMU Health Center physician staff by contacting its Emergency Assistance line (from overseas, +1 906-227-2151). The OIP will provide you with a travel first aid kit that you may share with students. This will contain commonly used over-the-counter medications and medical supplies. However, you must refrain from providing medical advice and recommendations to students. Your responsibility is to assist students in obtaining medical care. Faculty leaders with recognized and certifiable medical training (RN’s, Red Cross First Aid, Wilderness First Responder) may provide assistance commensurate with their training. In cases of serious health problems, injury, or other significant health and safety circumstances follow the Emergency Procedure outlined in this handbook. When in doubt, err on the side of caution: contact the OIP by e-mail or by telephone (24/7) at + 1 (906) 227-6411. During non-office hours your call will automatically be forwarded to Public Safety who will locate the on-call OIP staff member. Fatigue Being in a new country is hard work! Travel, eating new foods, adjusting to a different time zone, and totally immersing oneself in a new culture and possibly a new language can be exhausting. Students may need to be reminded of this. Students often misinterpret fatigue as illness or they may ignore the need for rest and overexert themselves to the point that they really do become ill.

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Prolonged fatigue is one of the symptoms associated with culture shock, as students retreat into sleep because they feel unable to cope with some (or all) aspects of the experience. You, or the host family, may interpret a student’s fatigue as laziness, shyness, unwillingness to adapt, or outright hostility. Gently encourage your students to take it easy for the first day or two, avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours. Simply talking the issue through can help students put the issues into perspective and to move on with a positive attitude. Psychological Health Studying abroad can be psychologically stressful. Inevitably, some of your students will experience some degree of culture shock, loneliness, alienation from situations or other students, etc. Again, it may be helpful for you to offer a listening ear as the student talks through his/her own resources and solutions. All students complete a confidential medical release form as part of their study abroad application process. You will be notified of any serious concerns for any student traveling with your group. Common mental health problems students experience include depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, anorexia or bulimia. As faculty leader, you are not expected to handle serious psychological disturbances. Leave such disturbances to trained and licensed professionals. Please contact the OIP if you suspect a student needs more help than you can provide. It may be possible to arrange local counseling or the student may need to come home. All students are asked to disclose whether they are currently being treated for medical, psychological or emotional problems. Many students, however, choose not to disclose this information – perhaps out of fear that they will be denied admission. The OIP encourages full disclosure, reminding the student that the information will be used to help support their goals and to assist them in arranging necessary services. The bottom line is this: the extra stressors associated with study abroad may trigger physical and psychological reactions for students who are otherwise managing well, through medication and/or counseling. You may find yourself dealing with a student in full psychological crisis, with little or no warning. While this is rare, it can happen, and you must be prepared to treat the crisis as a medical emergency. Health, Emergency & Travel Insurance The FLSA budget includes a pre-determined charge for group medical insurance which will provide basic medical insurance coverage for all participants. Included with this plan are benefits for medical evacuation, repatriation of mortal remains, and various travel assistance services. This insurance and the various benefits and claim procedures are more fully described in the Certificate of Insurance which is provided to all participants prior to the trip. Note: The program medical benefits do not include coverage for injuries related to alcohol and/or drug misuse.

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All participants should be encouraged to check with their own medical insurance provider to determine the benefits provided under their own plan as well as the claim procedures. Eligible Northern Michigan University faculty and staff are provided health insurance benefits under the University’s health insurance plan. Faculty Leaders should check with Human Resources for plan details and claim procedures for international travel. University Owned Property The University provides insurance coverage for all University-owned property, covering theft or[RU1] damage to the property while it is with you during your travel. The University provides no property insurance coverage for personally owned property. Check with your insurance agent for coverage on these items. Students should be encouraged to leave at home personal items that hold high dollar or sentimental value. Legal Liability Northern Michigan University has established guidelines for the indemnification of those individuals who have an action, claim, or proceeding brought against them as a result of their good faith performance of duties on behalf of, or at the direction of, Northern Michigan University. This indemnification applies to faculty, staff and students while traveling worldwide subject to the University Indemnification Policy which can be found at the following University web link http://www.nmu.edu/humanres/AdminPoliciesMan/Indemnification.htm The University has a broad liability insurance program, including general liability and foreign liability insurance, to support his Indemnification Policy. Rental Vehicle Insurance In general, it is recommended that you use public transportation when traveling abroad, but if you need to rent a vehicle, try to obtain an English version of the rental contract well in advance of your departure and have it reviewed by the Risk and Insurance Manager for insurance requirements. Transportation & Vehicle Safety Research shows that the major causes of death among study abroad participants are auto accidents and drowning. If the program is renting a van or bus on-site, ask: Is the driver licensed? Is the vehicle insured? Is the vehicle in good repair? Is the company reputable? Will the driver follow a safe route? When traveling on program-related activities, do not use private vehicles. Whenever possible, students should be transported via public transportation or in vehicles rented by NMU for that purpose, driven by professional, hired drivers. Determining how reputable a company is

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should include questions about how drivers are selected, what training they receive, and the amount of liability insurance available. The Faculty Leader and host contacts should obtain maps and plan all travel routes prior to the program start date. Travel plans should be followed with no side trips. Drivers must never pick up additional riders. It may be wise to use taxis or minibuses rather than rental cars, despite the usually higher cost and/or inconvenience. Information on identifying official taxis can be obtained from the local US embassy or from your host institution. Faculty and students may not ever drive vehicles as part of the program transportation. . Faculty leaders and students are also strongly advised not to operate a motor vehicle for any private activity while abroad. All the usual risks associated with driving in the US are present abroad, with some additional concerns: unfamiliar roads, laws, customs, and traffic patterns. While these risks may be manageable, obtaining valid and effective insurance in the countries being visited will likely prove problematic. For these reasons, NMU strongly advises the use of in-country public providers that are fully licensed and insured under the laws of the host country.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Is international study really more risky than on-campus studies? After all, U.S. crime rates are among the highest in the world…. Why is this the number one question we hear from parents? Students are, after all, adults, with adult responsibilities as well as adult rights and privileges.

Why must we keep going on about these issues?

Study abroad participants face a set of risks they may not on the home campus, for a few reasons. First, they lack real in-depth knowledge of their surroundings as well as the local

culture and language. This makes them vulnerable. Simple tasks suddenly become complicated. Second, students who travel in groups tend to “stick out,” making them easy targets for

pickpockets as well as unwelcome critics. Third, students who travel abroad sometimes feel they’re in a whole new world, where consequences for risky behavior magically disappear. In a

genuine spirit of adventure and exuberance, they may act recklessly, endangering their own health and safety.

As faculty leader, you may be called upon to assist students more than you would on your home campus. Remain conscious that when incidents occur overseas, their impact on the participants

and family/friends back home is often more direct and profound because of the distance and unfamiliar context that separates your group from familiar sources of comfort and support.

A

General Health Information:

Before you depart, you are encouraged to visit a physician or clinic for expert travel-related medical advice. The NMU study abroad web site has links to several national and

international health travel information organizations. These linked sites include the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), an excellent resource for travel-related advice, including the

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latest public health information regarding disease patterns and outbreaks. Your students will receive similar information as part of their required general orientation.

Per NMU policy, we strongly encourage you not to offer any health care advice or to

agree to provide or administer medication of any kind – including simple aspirin – to any students in your group. Refer students, instead, to their personal physician or to the NMU

Vielmetti Health Center.

If you would like advice or information about dealing with particular medical issues which may arise while you are abroad, you may contact health care professionals at the NMU Vielmetti

Health Center or you may call the OIP and ask them to contact these professionals.

Prescriptions and Pre-Existing Conditions:

Students and faculty sometimes travel with pre-existing medical conditions which require prescription medications. Some countries require a letter from the physician(s) describing the

condition being treated and the prescription drug being taken, including generic names of drugs. All participants should check ahead to see whether pain or narcotic medicines are

illegal in the countries they plan to visit. All medications should be kept in original, labeled bottles. Many pharmacies will provide copies of original prescriptions. Advise students to

keep all medication-related documents with them in their on-flight carry-on baggage. It may be advisable to carry the actual medications in the carry-on as well, just in case the checked

luggage is lost or goes on its own “unauthorized vacation” for a period of time.

A complete set of regulations for US departures and arrivals is available at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website : http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.

Medical Care:

No incident is too small for your attention.

If someone is injured or ill, do not wait! Get medical help right away. Even if the illness or injury turns out not to be serious, getting immediate medical attention can forestall further

problems and will definitely reassure the student as well as the rest of the group. You or the host institution contact may need to accompany the student to act as interpreter and to talk

with the doctor about the student’s medical background (carried with you as part of your faculty leader packet).

You may need to help decide when a student is sick enough to require medical attention. Be

aware of the signs of acute illness: an inability to keep down fluids, fever, and diarrhea lasting more than two days.

In cases of serious health problems, injury, or other significant health and safety circumstances

follow the Emergency Procedure outlined in this handbook.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution: contact the OIP by e-mail or by telephone (24/7).

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Fatigue:

Being in a new country is hard work! Travel, eating new foods, adjusting to a different time zone, and totally immersing oneself in a new culture – a new language – can be exhausting. Students may need to be reassured of this. Students often misinterpret fatigue as illness, or they may ignore the need for rest and overexert themselves to the point that they really do

become ill.

Prolonged fatigue is one of the symptoms associated with culture shock, as students retreat into sleep because they feel unable to cope with some (or all) aspects of the experience. You, or the host family, may interpret a student’s fatigue as laziness, shyness, unwillingness to adapt, or outright hostility. Gently encourage your students to take it easy for the first day or two, avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours. Simply talking the issue through can help students put

the issues into perspective and to move on with a positive attitude.

Psychological Health:

Studying abroad can be psychologically stressful. Inevitably, some of your students will experience some degree of culture shock, loneliness, alienation from situations or other

students, etc. Again, it may be helpful for you to offer a listening ear as the student talks through his own resources and solutions.

All students complete a confidential medical release form as part of their study abroad

application process. You will be notified as appropriate of any serious concerns for any student traveling with your group. Common mental health problems students experience include

depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, anorexia or bulimia.

As faculty leader, you are not expected to handle serious psychological disturbances. Leave such disturbances to trained and licensed professionals. Please contact the OIP if you suspect a student needs more help than you can provide. It may be possible to arrange local counseling,

or the student may need to come home.

All students are asked to disclose whether they are currently being treated for medical, psychological or emotional problems. Many students, however, choose not to disclose this

information – perhaps out of fear that they will be denied admission. The OIP encourages full disclosure, reminding the student that the information will be used to help support their goals

and to assist them in arranging necessary services.

The straight and bottom line is this: the extra stressors associated with study abroad may trigger physical and psychological reactions for students who are otherwise managing well, through medication and/or counseling. You may find yourself dealing with a student in full

psychological crisis, with little or no warning. While this is rare, it can happen, and you must be prepared to treat the crisis as a medical emergency.

Health, Emergency & Travel Insurance:

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The FLSA budget will include a pre-determined charge for comprehensive health and emergency insurance, as determined by the NMU Study Abroad Risk Assessment &

Management Committee.

At a minimum, any international insurance will include coverage for medical emergency care, medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and reunion (family members).

For Faculty:

NMU provides travel insurance under existing coverage to all faculty, staff traveling on

University business or activities.

STOP ! If you are referring to this section of the handbook at the time of an actual emergency, refer to “In Case of a Medical Emergency” section,

beginning on page ###.

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General Liability Policy for NMU Faculty and Staff: The following is language taken from the MSU handbook – check against current NMU policy language. ALL issues in this section will be reviewed by the Study Abroad Risk Assessment & Management Committee, including

the following types of concerns and questions:

All NMU employees are covered for workers’ compensation benefits as negotiated under union contracts. This coverage includes medical, wage-loss, and rehabilitation benefits as applicable.

NMU has a foreign liability policy (???) that insures against bodily injury to others or property

damage outside the United States or Puerto Rico. NMU employees are covered for acts conducted within the scope of employment and services performed on behalf of or under the

direction of the University. Revenue resulting from employment conducted abroad must flow to the University in order for the employee to be covered for liability. This includes NMU

faculty leaders and authorized program staff who are directly employed by the University on programs operated abroad. Coverage is excluded for criminal activities, intentional acts of

injury, or injury to a fellow employee.

Transportation & Vehicle Safety:

Research shows that the major causes of death among study abroad participants are auto accidents and drowning. If the program is renting a van or bus on-site, ask: Is the driver licensed? Is the vehicle insured? Is the vehicle in good repair? Is the company reputable?

Will the driver follow a safe route?

When traveling on program-related activities, do not use private vehicles. Whenever possible, students should be transported via public transportation or in vehicles rented by NMU for that

purpose, driven by professional, hired drivers. Determining how reputable a company is should include questions about how drivers are selected, what training they receive, and the amount of liability insurance available. The Faculty Leader and host contacts should obtain

maps and plan all travel routes prior to the program start date. Travel plans should be followed with no side trips. Drivers must never pick up additional riders.

It may be wise, from the risk management perspective, to use taxis or minibuses rather than rental cars, despite the usually higher cost and/or inconvenience. Information on identifying

official taxis can be obtained from the local US embassy or from your host institution.

Faculty and students may not ever drive vehicles as part of the program transportation. . Faculty leaders and students are also strongly advised not to operate a motor vehicle for any private activity while abroad. All the usual risks associated with driving in the US are

present abroad, with some additional concerns: unfamiliar roads, laws, customs, and traffic patterns. While these risks may be manageable, obtaining valid and effective insurance in the

countries being visited will likely prove problematic. For these reasons, NMU strongly advises the use of in-country public providers that are fully licensed and insured under the laws of the

host country.

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FERPA and Communicating with Family Members:

The provisions of the Family Rights & Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment) – or FERPA –often come into conflict with the faculty leaders’ and the OIP’s need for full information and with

parents’ desire to be fully briefed when something goes wrong.

If your students or their parents inquire about how NMU deals with safety and security issues, you may provide the following information:

NMU offers a variety of study abroad opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic

student population. We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our students. NMU and the OIP recognize the importance of establishing policies and procedures

in an effort to protect the safety and well-being of study abroad participants, while acknowledging that no single plan can address all contingencies. Listed below are a few of the steps NMU takes to minimize and manage risks – before and during the study abroad program:

As part of a systematic evaluation process, the OIP regularly monitors safety, security and overall quality for each of our program locations.

NMU discourages study abroad programs from operating in any areas of the world which fall under a U.S. State Department Travel Warning current at the scheduled program dates.

A Study Abroad Risk Assessment and Management Committee is appointed by the Provost and headed by the Executive Director of International Programs. This team has

ultimate authority to approve the relative safety of programs and sites and has the ability to cancel programs or revise them to address safety and security concerns particular to a given

country or region.

All participants are required to attend one or more general orientation sessions which stress the importance of safety and interpreting observed cultural differences. Most programs

also provide on-site country- and city-specific orientation sessions.

Emergency procedures are in place, including medical and general emergency evacuation procedures. In any emergency, the OIP assembles a first-response team, ready to be

in contact with faculty and students abroad and to direct the standing emergency protocol.

All program leaders who accompany NMU study abroad programs are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in which emergency readiness and official emergency

procedures are thoroughly covered by OIP and other administrative NMU staff.

All NMU professors and staff who accompany a study abroad program are required to carry an international cell phone to facilitate emergency communications.

No student is ever left alone without an authorized program representative present to serve as advocate.

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A 24/7 telephone line to the NMU Public Safety dispatch desk provides emergency assistance to all members of the NMU community, including those members who are abroad on

University business or study. Calls are processed following a detailed emergency protocol. The NMU Public Safety number and procedures are reproduced on a wallet-sized card and are

given to all students at orientation.

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IV. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The purpose of this section is to provide guidance in planning for and responding to emergencies.

As used in this section, an emergency is any circumstance that poses a genuine risk to, or that has already disturbed, the safety and well-being of program participants or leaders. Emergencies will include, though not be limited to, the following types of events or incidents:

physical assault disappearance, hostage taking, or kidnapping robbery sexual assault or rape serious physical or emotional illness significant accident or injury hospitalization for any reason or length of time terrorist threat or attack local political, natural or man-made crisis/disaster arrest or questioning by the police or other security forces any legal action (lawsuit, deposition, trial, etc.) death

The Emergency Response Team, including their role, is as follows:

The Office of International Programs (OIP) will be your primary contact in the event of an emergency. They will coordinate and monitor the emergency response and contact University officials and other resources to aid in the emergency response. This chain of communication serves to diffuse potential miscommunication and misinformation to parents and the media, and provides background to the wider NMU community in case the condition should escalate. The OIP can be reached 24/7 at +1 (906) 227-6411 (collect calls accepted). The Ada B. Vielmetti Health Center (NMU Health Center) provides accessible comprehensive primary care medical services to university students and their spouses, and to university staff and their dependents 16 years of age and older.

The Dean of Students Office contributes to the University’s educational mission by maintaining a campus environment which is conducive to the pursuit of academic goals. Specifically, staff members serve as ombudspersons; advocate for student rights; promote student involvement in the University’s decision-making process; and offer services and programs which respond to the needs of diverse constituencies. The office also ensures the University community functions as freely as possible from disruptive and inappropriate behavior.

STOP ! If you are referring to this section of the handbook at the time of an actual emergency, refer to “Emergency Preparedness & Response

Checklist” located at the beginning of this manual.

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The Office of Risk and Insurance Management may assist in matters related to the international accident and health insurance program, the international travel assist program, and other matters involving property and liability claims.

The NMU Counseling Center offers counseling and psychological services that facilitate students' personal development to participate more successfully in the NMU living and learning community.

The Communications and Marketing Office oversees Northern Michigan University's internal and external communication efforts.

The University General Counsel provides legal counsel for the University.

Public Safety and Police Services oversees five primary tasks: general public safety practices, crime prevention, crime investigation, employee safety and police training. They will serve as a first contact point for the OIP after regularly scheduled business hours (including holidays).

PREPARING FOR AN EMERGENCY

PRE-TRIP PLANNING The most effective emergency procedures start from a base of thorough pre-departure orientation. While no single person or office can prepare for all contingencies, a grounding in basic health and safety information for all participants is critical, helping them to make informed decisions concerning preparation, participation and behavior while on the program. General information is provided by the OIP; it is expected that faculty leaders will provide country-specific health and safety information. All Faculty Leaders are required to attend a Faculty Leader Orientation session, conducted by the OIP each fall. The strong language emphasizes the intent of these pre-departure orientation sessions: to provide you and any program staff with the tools, resources, and emergency protocols you will need to provide the most richly rewarding and safe academic experience possible for your students. In these sessions, the OIP informs faculty leaders and any other supporting program staff on a range of topics, including:

Health and Safety Measures Risk Management Policies Legal Issues

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Emergency Response Procedures Strategies for handling cross-cultural expectations and encounters Strategies for managing minor and major student behavioral issues Updates/changes in policies, procedures, etc.

In the faculty orientation session you will be given information on the U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet for the country/countries where your program will visit. It is your responsibility to access the U.S. Department of State web site (http://travel.state.gov/warnings.html) periodically for updates between the time of your orientation and the group departure. OIP will notify you of any updates while you are abroad. Please relay any applicable information to all students. Faculty leaders must conduct in cooperation with the OIP, for all students, a program-specific orientation prior to the program, and as needed on-site, including information on safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural and religious conditions in the host country(ies); potential health and safety risks; and emergency responses. You should explain to the students that they are required to inform you about any medical emergency, and that you are required to contact the OIP as soon as possible in order to inform University officials of the emergency (an e-mail may be sufficient if no action is needed). If you are not available and host country emergency services are not available, students should report emergencies by calling the OIP at +1 (906) 227-6411 (collect calls accepted). Students should also inform the faculty leader as soon as possible. Inform your students that information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Also let them know that if a crisis involving a student is grave enough to jeopardize his or her safety or well-being, the emergency contact person listed on the affected student’s application will be informed. If you are the only faculty leader, you must identify an on-site person (host institution) to serve as a “back-up” for you in case of emergency. The OIP will work with you to identify this person and to obtain contact information. All students are provided with a wallet-sized card with program-specific telephone numbers and an outline of emergency procedures. Please reinforce the importance of this card at your on-site orientation.

These procedures, produced on a double-sided, wallet-sized card, are given to all students at orientation so they can carry this card with them at all times while traveling on an NMU study abroad program. Be aware that the OIP Emergency Line is not a toll-free number; however, OIP staff will accept collect calls from anywhere in the world. Strongly encourage students to register their individual travel plans on-line with the U.S. Department of State, which serves as the central point for all embassies.

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AFTER ARRIVAL Contact the OIP upon arrival to confirm that all members of the group have arrived safely. In the event a student fails to arrive as scheduled, contact the OIP immediately and remain in close contact as all parties attempt to locate the student. Failure to locate the student is considered an Emergency, and emergency protocols will be implemented.

A pre-determined meeting time and place is strongly encouraged for a quick group check-in prior to housing assignments. (It’s also a great time to take a group photo for publicity purposes.)

After the initial contact, plan to stay in touch with the OIP on a weekly basis. Please mention any concerns – big or small – no matter whether they’ve already been resolved, so that the OIP can be prepared to address inquiries from concerned parents. Nothing escalates parental anxiety more than calling the office that is responsible for their child’s well-being only to find that the office is unaware that a concern exists. Even if all is well, just send a quick email stating this. The OIP is always on hand to help.

The OIP expects all faculty leaders to arrange for the lease/purchase of a cell phone for use during normal program operations as well as emergencies. Your host institution is a good source of information about providers and in-country usage. Students must carry the program cell phone number with them. Take a few minutes to familiarize your students with the intricacies of dialing in-country numbers, including the use of pay phones and locally purchased telephone cards.

Make sure all students are comfortably settled in their assigned housing, and that they understand how to contact you in the event of a concern or an emergency. This is the time to collect the students’ individual telephone numbers (cell phones, room phones, room numbers etc.) to make sure students can be easily contacted in the event of an emergency or a change in plans. All student rooms should be equipped with locks. It is advisable to bring smoke alarms. Please brief your students on the local customs for securing hotel keys and other valuables.

Become familiar with and inform students of the procedures for obtaining emergency health and law enforcement services in the host country.

Provide all students in your group with the local telephone number(s) the students

should use to contact emergency services (i.e. the equivalent of the “911” that we use in the U.S., which provides access to police, fire, and emergency medical services).

Provide all students with additional emergency contact information (hotels and local

cell phone number).

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Provide students in your group with a written list of reputable local medical clinics or hospitals and English-speaking doctors, obtained during pre-trip planning.

Inform students of the exact location (including address and telephone number) of the U.S. Embassy and/or nearest U.S. Consulate.

Advise the students to avoid travel to or through any location where tensions exist and

travel may be dangerous. Experience has shown that students may benefit from a security briefing offered at U.S. Embassies abroad; such briefings assist you in reinforcing your message to the students that travel to dangerous areas should be avoided.

Research and instruct students where to go in case of an emergency, natural disaster

(earthquake, fire, weather-related incident) or politically motivated attack. Unless movement will jeopardize their safety, it is suggested that all students meet at their place of residence to be accounted for and to receive further instructions.

Discuss preventable accidents with the students, such as traffic patterns, pub and

drinking culture, dating culture, drug laws, unsafe swimming, and the type of things that can happen when walking down a street alone at night in a foreign city.

Get very specific about safe and unsafe behavior such as certain types of sexual behavior

and how to dress and behave to avoid unwanted attention. (This information is also covered in the OIP General Orientation session.)

To guard against loss of money, do not carry large amounts of cash with you. It is

always a good idea to travel with several forms of funding, including a small amount of local currency. It is also a good idea to advise students to travel with a two-day reserve of cash (US dollars are fine) to cover unanticipated delays in travel.

Under normal circumstances, you should not loan money to students, but in the event of an emergency – due to theft or misplaced belongings – a small loan of up to $100 may be issued from contingency funds.

You will, of course, want to help the student report any losses, including credit cards, to local authorities and to the offices which issued the funds. You can also help the student arrange alternate funding (wire transfers, cash advances, etc.) from home. Students should be encouraged to make copies of Credit Card numbers, passport information and phone numbers to be kept them in a safe place.

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RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY

1. In an emergency, your first responsibility is the safety and well-being of program

participants. Do whatever is necessary to assure this, whether this means obtaining prompt medical attention, Embassy intervention or police protection.

In any medical emergency, your first responsibility is to make sure the student is taken to the nearest medical care facility (hospital emergency room, clinic, etc., as designated in your program design).

In the case of a terrorist attack, gather at the pre-arranged location (see Pre-Departure and On-Site Orientation) to account for all students and follow the directives of the local authorities. You will be reimbursed for all expenses relating to the management of an emergency

2. When you have done all you can to reasonably assure the students’ well-being,

immediately contact the OIP at +1 (906) 227-6411.

In the event you are unable to contact the OIP your call will be automatically forwarded to NMU Public Safety Desk at +1 906-227-5991. The desk is staffed 24 hours a day seven days a week and will help you make contact with the on-call OIP staff member. You can also call this number directly as a collect phone call.

When you call the OIP, the office will contact on-campus resources to assist you as you work through the situation.

The OIP has explicit protocols in place to deal with various emergency situations. The OIP will assist you in responding to the emergency and be the principal conduit of information to and from NMU upper administration, departments, and the media.

3. Timely and accurate information from on-site is critical. When you contact the OIP, be

prepared to provide as much of the following information as possible:

name(s) of the individuals involved in the emergency nature of the emergency your cell phone number and/or local phone number and your e-mail address name, location and contact information of the place where the individuals

involved in the emergency have been taken. other information essential to the emergency

When necessary the OIP will coordinate communication with the insurance carrier and assist in arranging payment of fees on behalf of the student. Once the insurance carrier has been contacted, allow them to manage all local arrangements. For medical and liability reasons, it is not wise to solicit outside input or take control of coordination.

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Follow-up communication with faculty on-site will occur primarily via e-mail (provided Internet access is still available on-site). Therefore, it is critical that faculty regularly check their NMU e-mail account for updates and instructions.

4. If required, the OIP will notify the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate about the crisis, and

follow whatever procedures they may require.

In some cases, you may be directed to notify the local police about the situation. You will be directed to follow the course of action recommended by the U.S. Embassy or consulate, which may include following procedures the police ask of you or the student.

If there is a continuing risk to the welfare of your students (during a terrorist threat, for instance), ask the Embassy or Consulate Officer to advise you on a regular basis about the evolution of the crisis, and about how the students should respond.

5. After the OIP is informed of the emergency and after we consult with you and other

individuals on-site and on the NMU campus, we may, depending on the acuteness of the crisis, fax or e-mail you a description of the course of action that you and the students will need to follow.

Should a student not be able to continue with your group, leave the student with an authorized program representative to assist with the situation. Notify the OIP as to who is providing assistance. Do not appoint another student as the liaison.

6. During a political crisis or other emergency during which foreigners in general or U.S.

citizens may be at risk, tell the students to keep a low profile and not travel in large groups.

Tell them to avoid demonstrations, confrontations, or situations where they could be in danger; to avoid behavior that could call attention to themselves; to avoid locales where foreigners or Americans are known to congregate; and to remove signs, luggage tags and clothing that would label them as Americans. You may wish to have a pre-arranged plan that all students return to their residence during such a crisis. Experts say that during a political emergency, it is unwise to move locations. Therefore, it is unlikely that participants would need to be evacuated from a site abroad. However, faculty members and students would be brought home if a situation were to deteriorate to the point where the degree of risk to participants was deemed unacceptable. If this were to happen, the OIP Executive Director, in consultation with the U.S. Embassy and State Department and NMU officials, would develop an evacuation plan in as much detail as possible. This plan would be transmitted to you in confidence, and we would continue to work closely with you throughout the process. In the event of a local, regional, or global crisis, you should maintain contact with the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updated security information. If a crisis should occur, review precautions with students so they can better secure their safety. Brief students on the desirability of blending in, and – when possible – speaking the host country language in public. Advise students to maintain a low profile, avoid crowds and

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protest groups, restaurants, and discos/night clubs where Americans, especially US service people, are known to frequent. Students should keep up with local news through newspapers, radios, and television, and in the event of disturbances or protests, NOT get involved. Ask students to use common sense and caution when divulging information to strangers about themselves, the program, and their fellow students.

7. In the event of a significant crisis, individual students have the option of returning home to the U.S. Every reasonable effort will be made to allow them to continue their academic program on campus, and the OIP will work with the student(s) regarding housing, financial issues, etc.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES What is an emergency? For our purposes, an emergency is any circumstance that poses a genuine risk to, or that has already disturbed, the safety and well-being of program participants. Emergencies will include, though not be confined to, the following types of events or incidents:

physical assault

disappearance, hostage taking, or kidnapping of student

robbery

sexual assault or rape

serious illness, physical or emotional

significant accident and/or injury

hospitalization for any reason or length of time

terrorist threat or attack

local political, natural or man-made crisis/disaster that could affect the students’ safety or well-being

arrest or questioning by the police or other security forces

any legal action (lawsuit, deposition, trial, etc.) involving a student

death of a student Pre-Departure Preparation: The most effective emergency procedures start from a base of thorough pre-departure orientation. While no single person or office can prepare for any all contingenciesy, a grounding in basic health and safety information for all participants is critical, helping them to make informed decisions concerning preparation, participation and behavior while on the program. General information is provided by the OIP; it is expected that faculty leaders will provide country-specific health and safety information.

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The program-specific orientation which you lead prior to the program, and as needed on-site, should include information on safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural and religious conditions in the host country(ies); potential health and safety risks; and appropriate emergency responses. You should explain to the students that they are required to inform you about any medical emergency, and that you are required to contact the OIP First Response Leader as soon as possible in order to inform him/her about any emergency (an e-mail may be sufficient if no action is needed). If you are not available and host country emergency services are not available, students should report emergencies by calling the NMU Public Safety Office at: #######. Inform your students that information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Also let them know that if a crisis involving a student is grave enough to jeopardize his or her safety or well-being, the emergency contact person listed on the affected student’s application will be informed. In the OIP General Orientation sessions which you and your students will attend, you will be given information on the U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet for the country/countries where your program will visit. It is your responsibility to access the U.S. Department of State web site (http://travel.state.gov/warnings.html) periodically for updates between the time of your orientation and the group departure. OIP will notify you of any updates while you are abroad. Please relay any applicable information to all students. In the event of a local, regional, or global crisis, you should maintain contact with the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updated security information. If a crisis should occur, review precautions with students so they can better secure their safety. Brief students on the desirability of blending in, and – when possible – speaking the host country language in public. Advise students to maintain a low profile, avoid crowds and protest groups, restaurants, and discos/night clubs where Americans, especially US service people, are known to frequent. Students should keep up with local news through newspapers, radios, and television, and in the event of disturbances or protests, NOT get involved. Ask students to use common sense and caution when divulging information to strangers about themselves, the program, and their fellow students. If you are the only faculty leader, you must identify an on-site person (host institution) to serve as a “back-up” for you in case of emergency. The OIP will work with you to identify this person and obtain contact information. Required On-Site Contact Information: Become familiar with and inform students of the procedures for obtaining emergency health and law enforcement services in the host country. Provide all students in your group with the local telephone number(s) the students should use to contact emergency services (i.e. the equivalent of the “911” that we use in the U.S., which provides access to police, fire, and emergency medical services).

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Provide students in your group with a written list of reputable local medical clinics or hospitals and English-speaking doctors, available through (insurance carrier? Call the OIP to initiate contact with the INSURANCE CARRIER #### as soon as the student seeks medical treatment. In addition to assisting with treatment, the INSURANCE CARRIER may be able to arrange direct payment to on-site medical care providers. The OIP registers all students with the U.S. Department of State, which serves as the central point for all embassies. Inform students of the exact location of the U.S. Embassy. Strongly encourage students to also visit the Embassy or Consulate if they plan to leave the country or your program itinerary. Advise the students to avoid travel to or through any location where tensions exist and travel may be dangerous. Experience has shown that students may benefit from a security briefing offered at U.S. Embassies abroad; such briefings assist you in reinforcing your message to the students that travel to dangerous areas should be avoided. Instruct students where to go in case of an emergency, natural disaster (earthquake, fire, weather-related incident) or politically motivated attack. Unless movement will jeopardize their safety, it is suggested that all students meet at their place of residence to be accounted for and to receive further instructions. Discuss preventable accidents with the students, such as traffic patterns, pub and drinking culture, dating culture, drug laws, unsafe swimming, and the type of things that can happen when walking down a street alone at night in a foreign city. Get very specific about safe and unsafe behavior such as certain types of sexual behavior and how to dress and behave to avoid unwanted attention. (This information is also covered in the OIP General Orientation session.) In summary: You must provide students and the OIP with a written list of names and telephone numbers for – at minimum – the following resources. (A sample list is included in the Appendix to this Handbook.)

24-hour emergency contact nearest US embassy law enforcement/police department nearest hospital/emergency facility and English-speaking doctors and/or health care

providers Wallet Card: “In Case of Emergency While Abroad” All students are provided with a wallet-sized card with the following information. (Please reinforce the importance of this card at your on-site orientation.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WHILE ABROAD:

Contact your faculty leader.

Local phone: ______________________________________________________

Call the local emergency services.

Local phone: ______________________________________________________

Call the NMU 27/7 Public Safety Desk at (906) 227- ####.

Be prepared to provide a number where you can be reached.

Record your international cell phone number here: (be sure to include your country code)

________________________________________________________________

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These procedures, produced on a double-sided, wallet-sized card, are given to all students at orientation so they can carry this card with them at all times while traveling on an NMU study abroad program. Be aware that the NMU Public Safety Desk number is not a toll-free number; however, it will accept collect calls from anywhere in the world. How should you respond to emergencies?

1. In an emergency, your first responsibility is to safeguard the safety and well-being of program participants. Do whatever is necessary to assure this, whether this means obtaining prompt and appropriate medical attention, Embassy intervention or police protection. In the case of a terrorist attack, gather at the pre-arranged location (see Pre-Departure and On-Site Orientation) to account for all students and follow the directives of the local authorities. You will be reimbursed for all expenses relating to the management of an emergency.

2. When you have done all you can to reasonably assure the students’ well-being,

immediately contact the NMU Public Safety Desk at #####. The desk is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will contact the designated First Response Team member in the OIP. We have explicit protocols in place to deal with the different emergencies listed above. This step is critical so we can assist you in decision-making and be fully informed of the crisis. During a crisis, OIP is the principal conduit of information for the NMU upper administration and the media, so timely and accurate information from on-site is critical.

3. Follow-up communication with faculty on-site will occur primarily via e-mail (provided

Internet access is still available on-site). Therefore, it is critical that faculty regularly check their NMU e-mail account for updates and instructions.

4. Notify the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate about the crisis, and follow whatever

procedures they may require. If there is a continuing risk to the welfare of your students (during a terrorist threat, for instance), ask the appropriate Embassy or

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Consulate Officer to advise you on a regular basis about the evolution of the crisis, and about how the students should respond.

5. After the OIP is informed of the emergency, and after we consult with you and other

appropriate individuals on-site and on the NMU campus, we may, depending on the acuteness of the crisis, fax or e-mail you a description of the course of action that you and the students will need to follow. Should a student not be able to continue with your group, leave the student with an NMU-appointed liaison to assist with the situation. Notify the OIP as to who is providing assistance. It is not appropriate to appoint another student as the liaison.

6. During a political crisis or other emergency during which foreigners in general or U.S.

citizens may be at risk, tell the students to keep a low profile and not travel in large groups. Tell them to avoid demonstrations, confrontations, or situations where they could be in danger; to avoid behavior that could call attention to themselves; to avoid locales where foreigners or Americans are known to congregate; and to remove signs, luggage tags and clothing that would label them as Americans. You may wish to have a pre-arranged plan that all students return to their residence during such a crisis.

7. Experts say that during a political emergency, it is unwise to move locations. Therefore,

it is unlikely that participants would need to be evacuated from a site abroad. However, faculty members and students would be brought home if a situation were to deteriorate to the point where the degree of risk to participants was deemed unacceptable. If this were to happen, the OIP Executive Director, in consultation with the U.S. Embassy and State Department and appropriate NMU individuals would develop an evacuation plan in as much detail as possible. This plan would be transmitted to you in confidence, and we would continue to work closely with you throughout the process.

8. In the event of a significant crisis, individual students have the option of returning home

to the U.S. Every reasonable effort will be made to allow them to continue their academic program on campus, and the OIP will work with the student(s) regarding housing, financial issues, etc.

In case of a Medical Emergency . . .

1. In any medical emergency, your first responsibility is to make sure the student is taken to the nearest appropriate medical care facility (hospital emergency room, clinic, etc., as designated in your program design).

2. Only after you have secured appropriate medical attention, contact NMU (24/7) to initiate standard emergency response protocols as defined by the Study Abroad Risk Assessment & Management Committee. All hospitalizations of any length are reported to the Executive Director of International Programs. This chain of communication serves to diffuse potential miscommunication and misinformation to parents and the media, and provides background to the wider NMU community in case the condition should escalate.

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3. In some cases, you may be directed to notify the local police about the situation. If you and the U.S. Embassy or consulate believe this is appropriate, follow the procedures the police may require of you or the student.

4. The OIP will coordinate communication with the INSURANCE CARRIER and assist

in arranging payment of fees on behalf of the student. Once the INSURANCE CARRIER has been contacted, allow them to manage all local arrangements. For medical and liability reasons, it is not wise to solicit outside input or take control of coordination.

5. When you call the NMU Public Safety line, the office may contact the NMU

Counseling Center. The counseling center is staffed 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached at (906) 227-2981. They can provide advice over the phone to faculty leaders for dealing with situations but cannot provide direct therapy to students over the phone. You can also check the Web at http://www.nmu.edu/counselingcenter/ for detailed information on referring a distressed student. Additionally, an excellent site called responding to Distressed Students (http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/distressedstudentsguide) deals with the steps to take in a wide variety of situations such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc.

The following is a brief summary of the guidelines for interaction and can apply to counseling services abroad:

“Talk to the student in private. Listen carefully. Show concern and interest. Repeat back the essence of what the student has told you. Avoid criticizing or sounding judgmental. Suggest visiting a counseling center and discuss options with the student. If the student resists help and you are still worried, contact a counseling center to discuss your concerns. If you consider the situation to be an emergency, call the local emergency facilities (comparable to 911) and stay with the student. Follow-up with the student by inquiring as to whether he/she has kept his/her appointment and how he/she felt about the session.”

6. Your call may also be referred to the NMU University Physician. Again: Urgent

medical matters should be dealt with by going to a health care facility in the area where you are traveling.

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V. END-OF-PROGRAM PROCEDURES Traveling Home As Faculty Leader, you are not required to personally accompany students back to the U.S., but you should escort the group to the airport and insure travel arrangements, flights, etc. are in place. Please inform the OIP of any students who will not be returning with the group (traveling independently, etc.). Closing Out Program Finances: Faculty leaders are responsible for settling expenses using the NMU Concur Settlement System. You are only responsible for settling funds issued directly to you, or charged to credit cards issued in your name. Other program expenses are paid and settled through the OIP. Disciplinary Incident Log and Criminal Incident Reports You must complete an Incident Report, listing significant disciplinary steps as well as criminal activity that affected you and your students, injuries, illnesses, accidents, etc. Turn this document into the OIP within a week of your return to the United States. (A sample copy of the Incident Report form is available in the Office of International Programs.) Grades Turn in grades to your department not only for the course(s) you teach abroad but for any courses taught by local faculty. If the program dates were given in the official course schedule, you may turn in grades upon your return even if the regular NMU semester(s) end prior to the completion of your program. If the program dates were not listed in the course schedule, you will need to turn in “Incomplete” grades by the established NMU semester deadline, and then change these to regular grades when you return. Guidelines for the Study Abroad Program Report All faculty leaders are asked to provide copies of a post-program report to their college’s Dean, their department chairperson, and to the Office of International Programs. The information you provide in this report is important not only in terms of maintaining and improving program quality, but also for helping inform and prepare colleagues who are now, who may be in the future, involved in your program. Any personally identifiable information included in this report will remain confidential. These reports are due no later than 60 days after the end of your program. In writing your end-of-program report, please address the following topics. For each item in the report, please describe:

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what you did this year what worked and what didn’t what suggestions you have for next year’s program

1. Recruitment and Publicity procedures 2. Program Preparations: Pre-departure orientation, student arrival and on-site orientation,

on-site preparations, etc. 3. Academic Program: Courses offered, number of credits, collaboration with host

institutions and faculty/presenters, field trips, etc.; please include a statement about the integration of the study abroad program into the departmental/college curriculum and/or life of the unit.

4. Assessment of On-site Logistics and Support: Student housing, classroom space and

equipment, housing staff, meals, transportation, excursions, special events, etc. 5. Health and Safety Issues:

What, if any, preventive safety measures do you recommend? Were there any health-related incidents such as accidents, serious illness, and

mental health issues? Were there any crimes committed against faculty or students? Were health care facilities satisfactory? What, if any, steps need to be taken to make program sites safer? What political, social, cultural, environmental developments on site warrant special

attention for next year’s program? 6. Student Issues:

Could satisfactory solutions be found to most students’ problems? How could such problems be avoided/minimized in the future? What could be done in the future to enhance the cross-cultural learning component

of the program? Which aspects of the culture did students react to negatively/positively? Were issues of cultural adjustment and re-adjustment discussed with students? Was there a special event marking the end of the program? Could a student with a disability have easily participated on the program? If not, what changes would you make in the future?

7. Program Benefits:

How has being involved in this program enhanced your professional development; for instance, through research and teaching collaboration with host institution faculty?

How does the program enhance participating students’ academic/intellectual, personal, professional, and cross-cultural learning?

8. Finances/Budget: What, if any, adjustments need to be made to the budget to improve

the program and/or to reflect cost realities in the host country/countries?

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Post-Program Celebration Research shows that most learning takes place after the study-abroad program ends, as students begin to process and reflect upon what they have experienced abroad. The faculty leader may also need some time to “decompress” and to process his/her own experiences and culture shock. All students who participate in NMU study abroad programs are invited to a general re-entry orientation session, scheduled each semester by the Office of International Programs. The session includes general information about reverse culture shock and opportunities to extend the international skills and insights gained during a study abroad program. This session also includes a formal post-program evaluation process, designed by the Office of International Programs. (Your department will provide the academic course evaluation forms required for every NMU course section, and these should be included in your course-pack materials which you take on-site.) The faculty leader may also be interested in holding an informal session with students after the program, but this can sometimes be difficult to arrange as most students tend to scatter when they return to campus and their usual routines. Whatever the situation, we encourage you to stay in touch with your students. Chances are that your mentoring and professorial relationship with your FLSA students may be the most significant of your students’ careers and – perhaps – your own. You can help one another readjust to regular campus routines and address issues of reverse culture shock. Reassure your students that as difficult as it is to adapt to an entirely new culture, it can be equally challenging to come back home after being away for even a short period of time. Many students will encounter some degree of reverse culture shock. The world didn’t stop when they left home. Their family, friends, and campus routines continued in their absence and underwent changes of their own. Remind the students to be patient with themselves and to take the time to sit back, observe, and re-adjust slowly. It may be helpful to suggest ways they might utilize interests and practice the skills gained during the study abroad program. For instance:

Talk with students from the program, or with other study abroad participants Submit a paragraph description to the OIP for use on the web site and/or other

publicity materials Develop or improve a web site for the FLSA program Share experiences by working as a Peer Advisor in the Office of International Programs Volunteer to work with NMU’s international students and scholars Talk about the experience to clubs and groups, including adults and children Join international organizations and clubs Continue their foreign language studies Enter the NMU Study Abroad Photo Contest Write for the Northwind or a local home paper

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Continue studying the host country by taking related courses, reading international newspapers, viewing films and videos, writing research papers, etc.

Volunteer to work in the community or on campus. Help organizations that support community service and development. Look for groups working with immigrants, refugees, or the aged that can use newly honed skills of listening, patience, and empathy.

Start thinking about when and how to return abroad. Some students have applied to graduate schools in the country in which they studied; others have applied for funding to return abroad (Fulbright Scholarships are available for graduating seniors); others have joined the U.S. Peace Corps; or have just returned to visit host family and friends.

Attend the next “International Opportunities” Skillbuilder that highlights these types of “next step” opportunities.

Integrate the best features of the two cultures. It is not necessary to give up one at the expense of the other.

Experience suggests that a growing number of students will plan a second, longer-term study abroad based upon the confidence, knowledge and skills they acquired during your short-term faculty-led program. Congratulations! What a great opportunity you have provided to your students and to international initiatives at Northern Michigan University.