Study Abroad Policies and Technical Standards

Cancellation Policy

The $100 application fee is non-refundable. Airfare is non-refundable/non-transferable once purchased. For a fee, tickets can usually be used towards other travel based on individual airline policy. Refunds for other programs fees will be on a case-by-case basis, and are time sensitive. The likelihood of receiving a refund within 60 days of departure is unlikely. Central Piedmont course refunds are made according to Central Piedmont regular policy.

Technical Standards

Technical standards are those physical, personal skills, and attributes the Global Learning office expects all students to acquire and display as part of their participation in a study abroad program.

Observation

  • Gathering of accurate information
  • Integration and synthesis of information from multiple observations and/or modalities
  • Doing the above in an uncontrolled, unfamiliar environment where English is not the primary language while moving from place to place using various forms of transport

Communication

  • Efficient, effective, accurate and timely communication using a range of communication media as appropriate to the purpose and audience, for example in-person meetings, telephone, letters/memos, email, web-conferencing, text messaging
  • Use of communication and sensory skills to convey and elicit information
  • Use of communication and sensory skills to facilitate decision making
  • Use of communication and sensory skills to report personal problems and challenges
  • Accurate perception of nonverbal information and cues in interpersonal and cross-cultural encounters
  • Ability to do the above while in an uncontrolled, unfamiliar environment where English is not the primary language

Motor/Physical Skills

  • Sufficient motor function/physical strength and skills to execute physical functions and actions pertinent to the program including, but not limited to, extended periods of walking or hiking, carrying own belongings for extended periods of time, climbing stairs, participating in activities outside with humidity and high temperatures for extended periods of time, long periods of travel on various modes of transport, navigating through crowds
  • Fine and gross motor skills may be required along with functional use of the senses of touch and vision

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities

  • Ability to undertake effective research to build on personal experience and inform decision making
  • Ability to synthesize complex information
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment with the benefit of this information and knowledge / skills​
  • Ability to understand criticism and directions
  • Accurately follow course syllabi, assignment directions and any actions plan(s) developed by deans, faculty, administrators, staff, or college partners

Behavioral, Social and Personal Attributes

  • Emotional health and maturity
  • Ability to establish rapport with faculty, staff, students, college partners, and global community members
  • Give prompt attention to and complete all responsibilities attendant to the program
  • Ability to nurture mature, sensitive, and effective relationships
  • Possess conflict resolution skills and ability to negotiate conflicting attitudes and opinions while maintaining standards of courtesy and professionalism required by code of student conduct
  • Compassion, integrity, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation​
  • Ability to work cooperatively and with honesty and integrity with peers, faculty, and college partners​
  • Ability to integrate constructive criticism received in all learning settings while maintaining standards of courtesy and professionalism required by code of student conduct
  • Correctly judge the limits of one's own competence and seek help in timely manner from an appropriate source
  • Seek and effectively use help for medical and emotional problems that interfere with scholastic performance or program participation
  • Show respect for all college personnel, as well as peers, college partners, and global community members
  • Be free of the influence of illegal drugs and alcoholic beverages for the duration of the program and when engaged in any program encounters
  • Deal with life stressors through the use of appropriate coping mechanisms
  • Handle stress effectively by using appropriate self-care and by developing supportive relationships with colleagues, peers, and others
  • Demonstrate appropriate personal hygiene habits
  • Dress appropriately and in a manner befitting the student’s representation of the college while also following the cultural norms and expectations of the program country
  • Behave and act appropriately and in a manner befitting the student’s representation of the college while also following the local cultural norms and expectations of the destination country
  • Possess maturity, self-discipline, and sound judgment

Flexibility/Adaptability

  • Ability to adapt with courtesy and respect to unexpected situations in the immediate, short, medium, and long term
  • Flexibility and the ability to function confidently, competently, and courteously in the face of uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in schedule, changes in itinerary, delays, living in close proximity with other program participants, unfamiliar foods, structured group activities, traveling in a group, waiting for group members, cross-cultural environment, being unable to speak the local language, unfamiliar local customs, inclement weather, jet lag
  • Show flexibility by being open to learning about new ideas, meeting new people, and trying unfamiliar foods
  • Be willing and able to modify beliefs and practices in response to program experiences, whether planned or unexpected

Professional/Program Requirements

  • Project an image of professionalism at all times to faculty, peers, college partners, and global community members
  • Arrive on time for program commitments, including classes, field experiences, group activities, and meetings
  • Be considerate of fellow program participants and reflect on impacts to the group before acting
  • Meet deadlines for course assignments and program requirements; a pattern of repeated absences, lateness, and failure to meet deadlines in courses or fieldwork is not acceptable
  • Demonstrate good attendance, integrity, honesty, conscientiousness when engaged in any program work or encounters
  • Seek assistance and follow supervision in a timely manner
  • Accept, respond respectfully to, and immediately act upon reasonable constructive criticism or direction from faculty​ with courtesy and professionalism
  • Demonstrate attitudes of integrity, responsibility, and tolerance​
  • Demonstrate honesty and integrity by being truthful about background, experiences, and qualifications; doing their own work; giving credit for the ideas of others; and providing proper citation of source materials
  • Interact courteously, fairly, and professionally with faculty, peers, college partners, and global community members and in accordance with college policies and the code of student conduct
  • Demonstrate the ability to understand the perspectives of others and the ability to separate personal and professional issues