LEARNING CONTENT
Program orientation begins when students first see a program flyer or visit the program page and continues throughout the pre-departure process. Because of this – and because all materials and oral presentations can constitute contractual agreements – all distributed information about the program needs to be clear and accurate.
HOW TO PREPARE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR EXPERIENCE
All University of Portland students participating in a study abroad program are required to complete the UP Study Abroad Office pre-departure orientation. The orientation includes an in-person meeting and/or an online component.
The in-person pre-departure orientation session will be held in conjunction with the Study Abroad Office after the participants for programs have been selected. The date, time, and location will be determined in advance by the Study Abroad Office. The 1.5-hour session follows an interactive format focusing on health and safety, expectations regarding student conduct, cultural adjustment, and social identity.
Faculty Leaders must also facilitate at least one additional pre-departure meeting with their group (either immediately after the in-person session or at a separate time) and should be prepared to discuss program specific details including the course syllabus and assignments; academic and behavioral expectations; program itinerary; packing (what to bring and what not to bring); safety, health, legal, environmental, cultural, and religious conditions in the host region/country; potential health and safety risks in the host region/country; and appropriate emergency response measures.
The Study Abroad Office will provide each student (and Faculty Leaders) pre-departure orientation materials and resources providing general information on these issues, as well as on the host site for their program. Faculty Leaders are responsible for providing additional materials specific to their program/region to directly to students.
Faculty Leaders are responsible for holding additional group meetings with students prior to departure. This will allow the students to get to know the faculty and each other. It will also provide more time to discuss expectations and motivations for participating in the program. In evaluations, students express a desire for more of these types of meetings throughout the duration of the program.
SETTING ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS FOR THE GROUP
On faculty-led study abroad programs, students are required to attend all classes and all excursions which are a part of the program itinerary. The only acceptable excuse for missing a class or an excursion is illness. Faculty Leaders should take attendance at all classes and excursions and are encouraged to reduce the grade of any student who is late or absent from a class or required excursion.
Participants are expected to serve as ambassadors for UP and, for study abroad programs, the United States. It is often difficult for students to understand what is expected of them in this regard, so it is important for Faculty to stress these issues in the pre-departure meeting(s) and again upon arrival. Students need to be aware that behaviors with minimal or no consequences at the University of Portland may have major implications on the study program. Students are bound by the UP-Student Code of Conduct while participating in the program domestically or abroad and any breach of the code may result in ramifications upon return to campus.
These topics should be presented repeatedly to students – not just at the pre-departure orientation but also after arrival in the host region/country.
Topics include:
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