For Faculty - Once Approved

Interviewing students:

Faculty directors are strongly encouraged to interview all applicants. Personal contact is an essential means of gauging an applicant's maturity, judgment, self-discipline, and flexibility, all qualities that could affect how he or she will respond to the experience of living and studying abroad.

Consider the interview your first opportunity to set the tone of the session abroad, including priorities for academics, sight-seeing, weekend travel, and other program-related activities. Let students know, for example, how many days per week you expect them to devote to class meetings and other structured activities, and how many are open for free activities. Make your attendance policy clear and repeat it periodically during both pre-departure and on-site meetings.

Some students believe they will be more independent when studying abroad than they are when studying on campus. To be sure, they will experience greater independence; however, students will need to be told during the interview that this greater freedom calls for self-discipline and that the program is first and foremost an academic learning experience, not a tour.

The session is likely to go smoothly if you communicate your expectations on these and other matters at the beginning. Once the group is abroad, provide regular reminders on these critical issues.

Use the interviews to start building relationships with students and developing a sense of community. Keep in mind that you will be in close contact with the students for several weeks. While there is no formula for interviewing, open-ended questions may yield the most useful responses: "How did you become interested in the program? Have you traveled overseas before, and, if so, what was the experience like? What would you do if a fellow student were about to do something that could have serious repercussions? Have you ever been homesick? What is your attitude toward alcohol consumption in private and in public?"