Office of Study Abroad

Briefly describe the proposed program and its location(s).

1. With what academic institution(s), co-sponsoring organization(s), or study abroad program provider will the program abroad take place? Describe the nature of your affiliation with said institution(s), if any, up until this point?
2. List sponsoring academic unit(s) at Brandeis. Separate letter(s) of support needs to be supplied by the head(s) of each sponsoring unit.
3. Dates of the proposed program.
4. Estimated number of participants and target audience
5. What are the student health and safety concerns or considerations in the proposed site of the program? What resources do you know of for addressing those considerations?

1. What is the academic rationale for conducting this program abroad? How will the specific location(s) enhance the learning goals for the program?
2. Explain how the program location(s) was chosen.
3. Is there any conflict or overlap with existing Brandeis sponsored programs abroad?
4. What evidence is there of student demand/need for this program?

1. Are there any academic requirements (e.g. minimum GPA, prerequisites, class standing, language level)? Note: Brandeis policy prohibits participation of students on academic or disciplinary probation.
2. Will the program be open to students from all departments? Note: We discourage the idea of opening programs to outside students from other universities and colleges until the program has run a few years.
3. Who will be responsible for making admissions decisions to the program?

Courses on for-credit programs must be approved by the School Council and Dean of Arts and Sciences/Undergraduate Curriculum Committee if this proposal is approved.

1. Briefly describe the overall instructional program. Outline the instructional schedule and provide the classroom contact hours. Note: Pedagogical time outside of a classroom setting (museum tours, meetings with local authorities, ) and other experiential learning opportunities such as internships, service learning, etc. should also be considered.
2. How many credits will each participant be required to take?
3. Indicate whether students will be enrolled in:
   1. Courses taught by an accompanying faculty member?
      1. Provide draft syllabi for courses
      2. Provide CV and/or list of qualifications for faculty
   2. Regular host university courses?
      1. Provide description of university and courses offered
   3. Special courses for international students taught by host country faculty?
      1. Provide course descriptions for courses that will be taught and the Brandeis equivalent
      2. Provide CV and/or list of qualifications of faculty
   4. Which major, distribution, or other requirements can be satisfied on the program?
   5. Who will determine students’ grades and on what basis (if not included in draft syllabus)?
   6. Describe classroom or other teaching facilities on-site.
   7. Which other faculty members have you consulted with in developing this proposal?
   8. Do you envision that this program will be offered more than once? On what timeframe/cycle? Do you know of other faculty members at Brandeis who could serve as Faculty Directors in future or alternate years?

1. Describe how the program will assist students in developing cross-cultural awareness and communication.
2. How will students be brought into direct contact with the host culture?
3. Indicate how the program incorporates the program site into its curriculum.
4. If applicable, how will the program provide language development appropriate to the mission of the program?
5. Describe how the students' international experiences might be integrated upon return to Brandeis.

1. Will the students require visas to participate in the program?
   1. If visas are required, is it possible to do a group visa process or do students have to apply individually?
   2. If visas are required what is the cost of the student visa and how long does it take to obtain the visa?

1. Describe the pre-departure orientation programming: How many sessions? When they will be held? Who will conduct them? What will the content be?
2. Describe the on-site orientation programming: Who will conduct it? What is the content? Distinguish between academic preparation sessions and those that focus on logistics.

1. Will the faculty member(s) leading this program be available to students at all time (24 hours a day)? If so, provide evidence of his/her preparation to serve as the primary contact for student support including medical and emergency concerns.
   1. If not, describe the office or individual overseas who will address students’ logistical, academic, personal, medical, and emergency concerns.

2. Who will be available to assist the primary Faculty Director if he or she falls ill or has to respond to one student in need and is therefore separated from the rest of the student group?
3. Please describe the on-site support services while abroad available to students with disabilities and/or students from diverse backgrounds.

Review the Country Specific Information Sheet(s) for your destination(s) on the State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) website and the Center for Disease Control’s Health Information for  Travelers webpage.

List the risk factors associated with the program location(s) and how these risks will be mitigated.

1. What safety and security preparation will be provided to the group? What security measures will be taken on their behalf?
2. List the location of the nearest hospitals, clinics or other health faculties staffed by English speaking health care professionals in the vicinity of the proposed program location(s).
3. What, if any, access is available locally to English speaking mental healthcare providers?

1. Describe excursions or group activities and how they directly complement the academic curriculum.
2. Describe any relationships you propose to facilitate such visits, including contracting outside travel companies.
3. How will students travel between their accommodations and class?
4. What type of transportation will be used on excursions, etc.?

1. Describe student housing accommodations in detail, including type of rooms, access to kitchens and laundry facilities, air conditioning, etc.
2. How will accommodation reservations be made and what type of contracts will this necessitate?
3. Describe the meal arrangements: How will dietary needs be met (allergies, restrictions, etc.)? If housing does not have kitchen facilities, what is the proximity of the local grocery store? Are there reasonably priced restaurants nearby?

The Office of Study Abroad has a standard protocol and process for establishing program fees. You will work with the Assistant Director of Study Abroad to create a realistic draft budget through the program development process. A full budget is not expected at this point but please consider the following as you consider the structure and operation of your program as it directly relates the affordability of the program for students.

• Salaries for instructional staff (if not included in teaching load)
• US staff travel to program site
• US staff displacement allowance (if during the academic year)
• Tuition & fees to host institution or program provider abroad
• Fees for use of instructional space
• Administrative costs (publicity, office expenses)
• Group excursions (bus rental, hotels, guides, admission fees, )
• Student housing (if paid through program fees)
• Student meals (if included in program fees)

Each program may need to make payments in advance or to make financial resources available for accompanying staff members to pay for various program expenses as they arise. Please keep this in mind and plan accordingly.

1. What fee do you anticipate charging for this program?
2. What costs will the fee include? Consider fees to host institution, room & board, health insurance, excursions, books and other materials.
3. If not included in the fee, what are estimated costs for room and board, personal expenses, and international airfare, etc.?