Expectations and Consequences: Student Conduct Abroad

The Study Abroad Program has, from its beginnings, minimized formal rules and emphasized individual and group responsibility for appropriate behavior abroad. What is considered appropriate abroad is determined largely by local context, norms, and practices. With certain exceptions, participating students have enjoyed a degree of freedom, both social and academic, generally comparable to that of their local counterparts.

A guest’s freedom, however, is different in kind from that of a host and entails certain unique obligations determined in part by the terms of the visit. The Kalamazoo student, as a guest abroad, functions within a context that needs to be clearly understood. Kalamazoo College and the student are jointly responsible for the student’s actions to individuals and communities, to host countries, to universities that indirectly subsidize study abroad, and to students who may want to study abroad in the future. Recommended and accepted as someone who desires to take advantage of educational opportunities abroad, a study abroad participant is obligated to take seriously the role of a student, and the College is likewise obligated to see poor academic performance and unacceptable social behavior, even though judged on a somewhat different basis, have at least the same consequences abroad as they have at home.

What, then, constitutes acceptable social behavior? Ideally, acceptable behavior should reflect such qualities as integrity, openness to the new and different, humility, sensitivity to others’ needs and a generous portion of compassion. Minimally, it must include compliance with all local laws and regulations and a genuine concern for the mores and social patterns of the homestay host and community, in order that student actions not be offensive either to the homestay or to the community. Student misconduct and poor behavior influenced by the abuse/misuse of alcohol and/or drugs may result in the immediate dismissal from study abroad. More generally, any behavior which in the judgment of the Executive Director of the Center for International Programs or their designate causes pain or serious discomfort to others or which reflects discredit upon the individual or upon the College is considered unacceptable and will subject the offender to dismissal from the program.

Controlled Substances

While studying and living in another country, students are subject to the laws of that country. This applies especially with regard to the use or sale of controlled substances, i.e. drugs and alcohol. The use and sale of drugs is illegal and can result in severe penalties. A U.S. passport or student visa will not protect anyone from arrest or detention. Furthermore, the judicial procedure in many countries provides for lengthy investigatory detention without bail and the Embassy will not be able to assist you to a great extent.

While local customs and laws regarding alcohol use vary greatly, there are laws and ordinances regarding its abuse. It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with these laws. It is the responsibility of each individual to understand the gravity of any violation of local laws, legal requirements, or behavioral norms when in another country. Copies of the U.S. Department of State “Consular Information Bulletins” containing information on penalties for violation of local laws are available on the Travel.State.Gov website.

Dismissal from the Program

Application and acceptance into the study abroad program are separate from admission to the College. Participation in study abroad at Kalamazoo College requires that students meet certain expectations and eligibility criteria, as well as exercise responsible judgment and behavior. When students accept their admission to the study abroad program, they agree to abide by the policies and regulations set forth in this set of stated policies, the College’s Academic Catalogue, and other relevant College publications. Of particular importance for students participating in study abroad is the “Student Conduct Abroad” section above which states in part that acceptable behavior includes, at a minimum, compliance with local laws and regulations, host university policies and regulations (including local housing regulations and policies), and adherence to the social patterns of the homestay family (or local housing placement) and the local community. Any behavior that in the judgment of the Executive Director of the Center for International Programs causes pain or discomfort to others or which reflects discredit on the individual or upon the College is considered unacceptable and may subject the offender to immediate administrative action by the Executive Director of the Center for International Programs including, but not limited to, immediate dismissal from the study abroad program. Immediate administrative action may be required for medical conditions which affect a participant’s ability to perform the essential functions of a student.

Students who are dismissed from the study abroad program will be withdrawn from their courses overseas and receive a grade of “F” for each course. They will also be removed from their program-provided housing, and be expected to return to the United States as soon as possible. Furthermore, staff of the Center for International Programs reserves the right to pursue separate sanctions against offenders under the College’s judicial system in the event that they are permitted to continue as students at the College. Students dismissed from the program will be required to reimburse any non-refundable expenses, including housing and program tuition. Examples of student behavior while on study abroad that may lead to immediate administrative action include, but are not limited to: illegal drug use, abuse of alcohol, failure to attend classes and/or other required academic activities, hitchhiking, unauthorized absence from the study abroad program, unauthorized changes in housing, arrest for infractions of local laws, and violations of other Kalamazoo College policies. Any dismissed student must return to the United States immediately after the dismissal and must pay any additional transportation expenses thus incurred.

Furthermore, the Center for International Programs reserves the right to notify the parents of any student whose behavior abroad in the judgment of the Executive Director is unacceptable or in violation of Study Abroad and/or College policy.