Policies

• Study abroad health information
• Assumption of risk and conditions of participation in St. Norbert College study abroad programs
• Study abroad program cancellation or suspension in the case of emergency situations

Every St. Norbert College study abroad participant must read this form, prior to signing the study abroad application.

Medical conditions

St. Norbert College recommends that all students get a thorough physical examination before participating in study abroad. Discuss with your physician your intent to study abroad and get advice for managing your physical and emotional health while in another country. Describe your health condition (allergies, medications, disabilities, psychological treatment, dietary requirements and medical needs) with your physician, and seriously consider the appropriateness of your participation in study abroad in your chosen host country.

Actions:

1. If you have any medical or psychological condition that may require attention while you are abroad, discuss this with your physician before going abroad.

2. Ask your physician if your medication will be readily accessible in your host country.

3. Take necessary medications (in original, labeled containers) and written prescriptions with you.

4. It is advisable that you carry a letter from your doctor explaining the use of your medication so it is not suspected as contraband.

5. Get necessary immunizations well in advance of your departure.

Medical facilities/services

Medical facilities and services will not be the same in every country. It is important to understand as much as possible about the facilities and services in your host country before you should need them.

Actions:

1. Be sure you get information in your program-specific on-site orientation about medical facilities and services in your host city/country.

2. You will need to understand where to go for common health needs (cold, stomachache, flu, etc.) and where to go for emergencies or major medical needs.

3. You will need to know how medical services are paid for (out-of-pocket by the student, host country or institution, insurance, etc.).

4. Understand your insurance coverage before going abroad.  You will be automatically enrolled in SNC Study Abroad insurance with 100% coverage of the Usual and Customary Charge for clinic visits or hospital stays with a $100 deductible per incident.  You will need to pay for services abroad and submit your receipts for reimbursement upon your return.  Doctor's bills must be on clinic or hospital letterhead with the date of service, your name, birthday, diagnosis, treatment and fee for service.

5. You will need to know who to contact in case of a medical emergency.

Mental health

Not all countries have mental health support services similar to that in the U.S. Thus, students may not have access to mental health services in some countries. Whether students have utilized mental health services in the past or not, it is important for students to know if, what and where those services are available in their host country.

Actions:

1. All students should be prepared for cultural adjustment before studying abroad. The St. Norbert College study abroad handbook provides information about transition adjustment and culture shock. Although this information will not prevent students from experiencing adjustment problems, it will prepare them for the symptoms, the expected cycle and some helpful advice for a successful adjustment.

2. Students who are currently, or have utilized mental health services in the past, should contact the St. Norbert College counseling center before going abroad. The counseling center should be advised as to your needs in case a telephone consultation is required while abroad.

3. Students who are currently involved with mental health services should discuss the advisability of participating in study abroad and issues related to cultural adjustment with their mental health practitioner.

Emergency protocol

The majority of students participating in study abroad never experience an emergency while abroad. However, in the unlikely event that you should experience an emergency situation, it may be less traumatic when you are prepared to deal with it effectively and efficiently. Your program contact person abroad will have emergency procedures for various situations. It is important that you maintain close communication and let your program contact know where you are at all times.

Actions:

1. Carry some form of identification with you at all times

a. your name
b. your host country address
c. host country phone number
d. photocopy of passport title page

2. Carry emergency numbers and contacts with you:

a. Local police
b. Program contact in host country
c. Parent/guardian/emergency contact at home
d. St. Norbert College study Abroad office
e. Embassy in host country
f. Insurance contact information
g. Physician and mental health practitioner at home

3. Know where the local hospitals are located and how to get there.

4. By preparing yourself to respond to different types of emergencies you will feel more confident that you know what to do in the rare event that an emergency should occur:

a. Natural disaster
b. Medical/mental health injury or trauma
c. Civil unrest/terrorism
d. Criminal violence or trauma

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities wishing to study abroad should contact study abroad office for further information.

Assumption of risk and conditions of participation in St. Norbert College study abroad programs | top

Read carefully prior to signing St. Norbert College study abroad application.

Travel risks

• I realize that international travel and study, including participation in study abroad, involves significant inherent hazards and risks, both foreseeable and unforeseeable, including travel in difficult terrain and inclement weather; inadequate or unhealthy food and water supplies; accidents or collisions involving planes, trains buses, automobiles or other modes of transportation; acts of terrorism, vandalism or war; storms, earthquakes or other natural disasters; government restriction or regulation; theft or other criminal acts; and accident or illness in remote locations without access to death and damage to or loss of property, and I assume all such risks. appropriate medical facilities. These risks and hazards may result in serious physical injury, illness, death and damage to or loss of property, and I assume all such risks.
• In consideration of St. Norbert College permitting me to participate in this study abroad experience, and be eligible for transfer credit for all pre-approved coursework, I hereby release and covenant not to sue and forever discharge St. Norbert College and its Board of Trustees, the Premonstratensian Fathers, officers, employees and students from all claims, demands, liabilities, damages and losses arising out of or in any way related to my selection of or participation in, or in any way connected with my study abroad program.

Academic policies and procedures

• Study abroad is first and foremost an academic experience. St. Norbert College students are expected to participate in their respective study abroad programs to the fullest extent of the program (orientation, classes, group trips and activities, standards of academic work and responsible conduct).
• Students may not study abroad during a semester when they are on academic or disciplinary probation.
  

Code of conduct

St. Norbert College students are expected to follow the university standards of conduct and responsibility as well as any stated codes of conduct from the host institution/agency. St. Norbert College students abroad are under the jurisdiction of the honor system. St. Norbert College reserves the right to enforce appropriate standards of conduct and specifically reserves the right to terminate the participation of any student for failure to maintain these standards or for any actions of conduct which St. Norbert College considers to be incompatible with the interest, harmony, comfort or welfare of participants.

• In particular, either possession/consumption of controlled substances (by U.S. definition or that of any other country visited) or alcohol impairment/abuse may result in immediate termination from the program. Participants are expected to act responsibly at all times.
• If any participant should have his or her participation terminated in accordance with conditions above, then St. Norbert College shall have the right to require the participant to leave the program without refund of tuition or other charges.
• I understand that during free time within my study abroad program, my absence from my study abroad classes or group activities, and during my independent travel, neither St. Norbert College nor my host staff are responsible for me and/or my actions.
• I understand that as an American citizen (or foreign citizen) in another country, I will be subject to the laws of that country. I agree to conduct myself in a manner that will comply with host country laws and with the regulations of my host university and/or program. I understand that my host university and/or program has the right to terminate my participation in the program if, in the judgment of my hosts, my conduct is unacceptable and/or disruptive.

Costs and payments

• I understand that I am solely responsible for all costs incurred by and related to my voluntary participation in my study abroad program.
• I understand that I am solely responsible for any and all costs (cancellation fees, tuition deposits, housing deposits, etc.) assessed by the program provider arising out of my own voluntary or involuntary withdrawal from the study abroad program from the date of acceptance to its conclusion, including withdrawal caused by illness or disciplinary action.
• I understand that I will be automatically enrolled in the SNC Study Abroad Insurance plan, commencing on the first day of the month of my program start and ending on the last day of the month of my program end date.

Study abroad program cancellation or suspension in the case of emergency situations | top

Date of promulgation: October 16, 2002
Issuing agency: Center for International Education (CIE)

1. Purpose

To outline St. Norbert College criteria and policies regarding program status of study abroad in cases of emergencies created by sudden changes in political, military and physical situations on site. These policies apply only to semester abroad programs of the study abroad office, Center for International Education, St. Norbert College. The emergency action policy, promulgated in 2001, covers short-term faculty/staff led study excursions abroad.

2. Definition

Emergency situations covered by this policy are defined as follows:

• Protracted closure of host university or college.
• Disruption of civil order or public services/utilities.
• Widespread civil unrest, violence or rioting.
• Catastrophic physical events, such as major earthquake, typhoon, etc. affecting the site itself.
• Development of a civil war or of active armed insurgency within the country in which the site is located.
• Significant terrorist activity aimed at U.S. citizens, in the city in which the site is located.
• Declaration of war by a third country against the country in which the site is located.
• Declaration of war by the United States against the country in which the site is located or against a country adjacent to it.
• Specific country travel “warning” by the U.S. State Department and/or the appropriate U.S. Embassy.
• Recommendation for suspension or cancellation of the program by the host institution for any of the above reasons.

3. General

a. It should be first noted that academic sites are carefully selected, using a fixed set of criteria, to ensure the best possible experience, both academically and culturally/socially for our students. Part of this process is to place students into highly reputable institutions of higher learning, located in safe, welcoming communities. As part of our basic commitment to the students, we will never place them in an overtly dangerous situation.

b. Cancellation or suspension of study abroad programs is, therefore, not something that is entered into lightly by the Center for International Education (CIE) at St. Norbert College. Decisions of this magnitude can adversely affect the academic progress our students and traumatize the extension of their worldview. The director of CIE, in coordination with the director of the study abroad office, will base such a decision on recommendations of: the program staff in-country, host university/college officials, the appropriate U.S. State Department country desk officer(s), knowledgeable colleagues both on and off campus, as well as discussions with the senior administration of St. Norbert College.

4. Procedures

a. The primary concern of the Center and College, in a situation as defined above, is always the safety and security of our students. Both we and the host institutions with which we work are committed to this arrangement. Therefore, if a decision is made to close a program site, students will be assembled and flown out of the area on the first available flights back to the United States. The following specific steps will be taken, in these cases:

1. Upon receipt of either telephonic or e-mail notification by the study abroad office (or its on-site representative), students are expected to assemble at the local site International Center. The on-site coordinator will have been advised to expect the students and have been given specific instructions on evacuation procedures.
2. Because of criticality to get an immediate head count, students are advised to bring only the most essential items (one small suitcase of clothing, a pillow, blanket and necessary toiletries) with them to the site assembly point. As noted below, arrangements for forwarding other personal belongings will be made with the host institution, time permitting.
3. St. Norbert College study abroad office will work with host institution to arrange for student flights out of the country. First choice in this situation is, of course, transport directly to the United States, but if this is not available, then transportation to a country out of harm’s way will be undertaken. As in the case of every program, cost of return flight is borne by the student.

b. The College will do its best to make arrangements for storage of personal belongings of our students. It should be noted, however, that student personal property does not fit into the same category as student safety and St. Norbert College, therefore, does not accept responsibility for lost or destroyed personal property, as a result of the considered event.

c. Returning students will be re-enrolled into St. Norbert at no additional cost. If it is too late in the academic term to allow students to enter classes, other arrangements will be made for completion of study abroad courses (for example mailed exams from the host institution or mentored individual study to complete courses).

d. Housing accommodations on campus for returnees from canceled or suspended study abroad programs will necessarily be based on availability, and if available will be pro-rated based on the time left in the current academic term. Food service will also be pro-rated based on the time left in the current academic term.

e. The College will attempt to work out any individual program refunds (for tuition,housing and fees paid to the host institutions) with each host institution, but does not guarantee the return of such funds. Similarly travel expenses are borne by the student participant.

f. By definition, cost of emergency arrangements to ensure student safety is not cheap and ultimately is borne by the student. Families are, therefore, encouraged to consider special travelers insurance that allows for emergency evacuation as part of the policy. The study abroad office has available information on some such supplemental policies.

g. While sympathetic to personal family or student decisions to withdraw from a study abroad program site, unless the above conditions are met, St. Norbert College is not responsible for costs or problems incurred by said decisions.

5. Caviats

a. This policy applies only to St. Norbert College exchange and direct enrollment programs. Other programs through affiliate colleges/universities or study abroad agencies have their own distinct emergency procedures that must be followed by students enrolled in such programs.

b. Students returning from programs noted above, will, however, be treated in the same way upon their return as those returning from St. Norbert College exchanges or direct enrollments. Once back on campus, all St. Norbert College students whether on exchange, direct enrollment or affiliate program will follow the same procedure. Every effort will be made to minimize the effect on the academic progress and general well-being of St. Norbert College students.