Planning Ahead
The guidance and protocols below are based on best practices within the field of education abroad including the Standards of Good Practice set by the Forum on Education Abroad and guidelines Responsible Education Abroad: Best Practices for Health, Safety, and Security published by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Start conversations with your department head, college dean and/or the Office of Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses about who will be sponsoring your individual or group travel at least one year in advance of the target term. Some colleges on campus have their own study abroad/international offices and/or designated staff for international experiences, so exploring your options within your college/department first is a good start.
In these discussions, it is helpful to have an idea of the type of experience you are constructing for the participants and to consider the following questions.
Will the experience award or receive credit?
What are the goals and learning objectives for the experience abroad?
What are the institutional policies and protocols for leading an experience abroad?
Who must I collaborate with on campus to develop/implement this experience?
The Forum on Education Abroad Implementation Guide provides a broad overview of the program planning process.