Conditions of Participation

I will accept responsibility for my own decisions and actions.  I understand that I will be held to a higher standard of conduct and level of personal responsibility on overseas study programs. Specifically, I agree to the following conditions:

Conduct & Academic Standing

  1. I understand that students nominated to study abroad are expected to remain in good standing at Georgetown University or their home university. Good standing, for purposes of overseas study, translates into maintaining a strong, consistent academic record, meeting the academic standards established for each site and exhibiting a history of good citizenship and conduct. I am aware that academic, housing, and disciplinary records are reviewed prior to departure and students whose records indicate a significant decline in QPI/GPA or a housing, disciplinary, or honor council sanction prior to departure may be withdrawn from overseas studies.
  2. I understand that I am required to inform my dean and study abroad advisor of any change in my academic status or of any academic or disciplinary violation/sanction which occurs during the selection process for study abroad, prior to departure, or while abroad, even if the matter is not yet resolved.  I understand that failure to report such information may result in the withdrawal of support for my participation in an overseas program.
  3. I understand that I am obligated to comply with local laws and customs while overseas. I recognize that my conduct can have an effect on the educational and institutional benefits intended by the program for other participants, hosts, and myself.
  4. I agree to conduct myself within the spirit of Georgetown University’s Ethos Statement and the Conditions of Participation and to follow Georgetown’s Code of Student Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. I understand that infractions of the Conditions of Participation or Code of Student Conduct will result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to immediate dismissal from an overseas program and/or sanctions by the GU Office of Student Conduct. In the event infractions of the Conditions of Participation or the Code of Student Conduct lead to the dismissal of a non-Georgetown student from an overseas program, Georgetown University reserves the right to inform the student’s home university.
  5. I understand that conduct considered unacceptable to Georgetown University may lead to my dismissal from the program.  Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:
    • excessive use of alcohol; 
    • loud and/or abusive behavior toward others;
    • sexual harassment; 
    • criminal conduct of any kind; 
    • attendance at and/or participation in rallies, protests, or demonstrations, or participation in political activities; 
    • unwillingness to cooperate with host institutions, host families or program managers; 
    • failure to comply with the Georgetown Academic Policy Statement or Conditions of Participation; 
    • and failure to comply with rules and advice provided by the Department of State, or by the host institution or its affiliates. 
    • any conduct which may be damaging to the program, other participants, working relations with governments, or Georgetown University’s educational partners 
  6. I understand that Georgetown University upholds a zero-tolerance drug policy on its overseas study programs and that the purchase, sale, possession, and/or use of drugs other than prescribed medication for legal medicinal purposes may lead to my immediate dismissal from the program. Sole discretion for my dismissal rests with the Director of OGE or his/her designee and dismissal under the zero-tolerance policy carries no right of appeal.
  7. Any student determined to be in violation of these conditions and expectations, or responsible for any conduct that brings the program or Georgetown University into disrepute, may, at the sole discretion of the Director of OGE or his/her designee, be withdrawn from the program.  Depending on the type of program, authorized designees may include Georgetown staff, resident directors, Faculty Directors, or local staff.

Application Procedures & Pre-Departure Preparation:

  1. I understand that if I have been awarded a conditional nomination and do not meet the conditional requirements explained to me, despite acceptance letters from my overseas program, proximity of departure date, and/or confirmed travel plans, I will not be permitted to participate in my overseas study program.
  2. I agree to assume responsibility for all of the elements necessary for my personal preparation for the program including the completion of all supplementary application materials and participation in the pre-departure orientations conducted by the Office of Global Education as well as the on-site orientation for its entire duration.
  3. I understand that I am responsible for obtaining a passport and, if necessary, a visa.

Communication & Travel:

  1. I agree to provide the Office of Global Education with a working email address that I will check at least once a week throughout my study abroad program.  I understand that I am responsible for reading and responding promptly to all correspondence sent to me at this address. If my mailing or email addresses change, I will inform OGE immediately of the new address.
  2. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to keep my parents/guardians/emergency contacts informed on an ongoing basis about my participation in the study abroad program as well as provide them with emergency contact information. Furthermore, by signing these conditions, I provide Georgetown University with permission to inform parents/guardians/emergency contacts in the event of my dismissal from a study abroad program.
  3. I agree to register my travel with International SOS in a timely manner as mandated by the Georgetown University International Travel Policy.
  4. I understand that if I wish to travel to other countries on personal travel, I do so at my own risk and may not miss any classes or other academically-related functions. I am required to follow my program’s policies for such travel.  Furthermore, I should provide a travel itinerary to both my local program contacts (such as a host organization/institution or faculty director) and to OGE through International SOS (ISOS) MyTrips. I have read and acknowledged the following advice:
    • Students are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of State’s Travel Advisories prior to making any personal travel plans.  Adherence to U.S. State Department advice should be followed at all times. Students should register their travel with the Department of State’s STEP Program for all travel they may undertake.

Health & Wellness:

  1. I will give serious consideration to my health and personal circumstances when applying for or accepting a place in a program, and agree to notify the Office of Global Education of any health conditions or personal circumstances that may require special accommodations before my departure.
  2. I agree to familiarize myself with the terms and conditions of the Georgetown Education Abroad Insurance Plan, and I certify that I am also covered by a valid domestic insurance plan for the duration of my program overseas.

Housing

  1. I understand that if my program provides student housing, I am required to live in program-provided accommodations and may not seek independent housing for my term abroad.

Financial:

  1. I have read and understand the GU Program Budget associated with my program.  I agree to abide by the schedule of payment as outlined in my program’s budget sheet and understand that any outstanding balances for my study abroad program will be billed to my Georgetown account.
  2. I acknowledge that:
    • If I am participating in a semester abroad, I will be charged Georgetown tuition instead of the tuition for the individual program. The tuition payment does not cover the additional costs of living abroad, such as round trip travel, local transportation, meals, housing, passport/visa fees, insurance, or personal expenses.
    • If I am participating in a short-term program, including summer and spring break terms, I will pay a comprehensive program fee, determined by the Office of Global Education, to be billed to my Georgetown account.  In addition to this fee, I will be responsible for paying for additional costs as listed in my program’s budget sheet, including round trip travel to program site
  3. I understand that if, after accepting placement I voluntarily withdraw from the program, a refund will be made in accordance with the current refund policy of the Office of Global Education as stated on my Acceptance Form. Furthermore, I understand that if, after accepting placement, I am withdrawn or dismissed from the program, no refund will be made by Georgetown University or the Office of Global Education.

I acknowledge that the Office of Global Education reserves the right to cancel any program at any time.