Learning Abroad Center programs provide students with the opportunity to combine a rigorous academic program with a cross-cultural learning experience that is not available within the United States. Although the University of Minnesota cannot affirm the academic rigor of an outside program, the Learning Abroad Center will work with students in planning academically to assure that each program will benefit a student’s learning experience.

The Learning Abroad Center wishes to reaffirm student rights and responsibilities in relationship to studying abroad. The following statement is issued in accordance with University policy and after consultation with appropriate University officers.

As with all academic programs, the student is responsible for learning the content of a course of study according to the standards of performance established by the faculty. In turn, the student has the right to a course grade that represents the instructor’s good-faith judgment of the student’s performance in the course.

For students participating in Learning Abroad Center programs, the University of Minnesota reserves the right to expel a student from a program if the student’s conduct violates the law of a host country or city or otherwise does damage to the program or to the University of Minnesota. In such instances the student will be entitled to the same guarantees of due process established on campus.

Students are expected to:

• Be responsible for all information contained in Learning Abroad Center materials, especially where fees and program details are concerned.
• Attend all orientation meetings and/or appointments (unless considerable distance prevents them from doing so).
• Pay all fees and personal expenses incurred while studying abroad.
• Arrange for and complete all academic work within the allotted time abroad.
• Participate in travel, sightseeing, and individual contact with citizens of the host country without allowing these activities to interfere with the successful completion of the academic program.
• Respect the reasonable wishes of their hosts when living in a private home.
• Obey laws, police regulations, and practices of the host country. Diplomatic representatives and US laws will be able to offer little or no help to a student arrested and/or convicted of drug-related or other crimes.
• Arrive and depart at the prearranged program accommodations per specified dates and times.

Last modified on November 21, 2008