Learning Abroad Center

Policies While Abroad

Suspending Education Abroad Opportunities Due to Health and Safety Risks

The University of Minnesota takes very seriously the concern for every student's health and safety while participating on an education abroad opportunity. The UofM has a Health & Safety policy governing the decision to suspend all education abroad opportunities undertaken by students enrolled in the undergraduate, graduate, professional degree, or certificate programs of the UofM, whether through a study abroad office or through another unit of the University. The Education Abroad Suspension Committee is comprised of the Associate Vice President for International Programs, the General Counsel, the Senior Vice President for System Administration, and the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences. The committee may decide to suspend an education abroad opportunity before a program begins or while it is in process.

Address Changes

Participants are responsible for keeping the Learning Abroad Center and the University informed of their current mailing address and permanent address. To ensure that the Learning Abroad Center staff members are able to reach friends and family in a timely manner, contact us with any address changes.

Policy on Student Conduct in Education Abroad Opportunities

The UofM regards all students as responsible citizens who have the same obligations as other citizens to observe the laws of the United States and the local and national laws of the host country. The University does not regard itself or its members as above the law in any way. In addition, as members of an academic community, students assume rights and responsibilities inherent to the nature of that community and bear a responsibility to preserve a collegiate environment that encourages the maximum development of students. Review the Policy on Student Conduct in Education Abroad Opportunities for more detailed information.

Alcohol Consumption

The UofM does not encourage the use of alcohol or condone drinking patterns or behaviors that are detrimental to the health and welfare of the individual, the UofM community, or the community at large. Alcohol may be consumed, but not abused, by students who are of legal age in their host countries. Students who choose to consume alcohol do so with the knowledge that they remain responsible for their actions at all times. The UofM prohibits the use of alcohol in any of its education abroad activities, prohibits the use of alcohol that is illegal in the host country, and prohibits the distribution of alcohol to students who are not of legal drinking age in their host countries. The UofM will impose serious sanctions against any student who commits an alcohol infraction, including drunkenness or any abuse of alcohol.

Contact the Student Counseling Services on the UMTC campus or the appropriate office on the coordinate campuses for possible treatment and assistance locations providing alcohol detox and drug rehabilitation, as well as the associated counseling.

Illegal Drug Use

Study abroad participants are expected to obey the laws, police regulations, and practices of the host country.

The use of illegal drugs is no more acceptable in foreign cultures than in our own and is treated as a serious criminal offense. Illegal activities place not only the individual but the group and the program in jeopardy. Therefore, all participants have signed an agreement prohibiting them from using illegal drugs during the terms of the program. The consequences of illegal drug use during the program include immediate expulsion from the program, total forfeiture of all fees paid to the program, and loss of all course credit. In addition, diplomatic representatives and US laws will be able to offer little or no help to students arrested and/or convicted of drug-related or other crimes. Program participants take responsibility—individually and as a group—for assuring that policies regarding illegal drugs are strictly observed. Review the UofM Drug and Alcohol Policy for further information.

Cancellation

All students are responsible for reading and understanding the Cancellation Policy and they also acknowledge that they have read and understood the policy when they complete the Release and Waiver form. After acceptance into the program, costs are incurred on behalf of the applicant in advance of the program. Therefore, if an applicant cancels from a program once they have been confirmed and paid the deposit, any refunds or adjustments in program fees are subject to the Learning Abroad Center Cancellation Policy. Cancellation can only be made in writing, and email notification is acceptable. Any non-recoverable costs beyond the confirmation deposit will be billed to the student finance account.