Education Abroad Director Handbook
Director Handbook Short-Term Faculty-Led Programs
IU’s first short-term faculty led program took place in 1879 when IU faculty took students to Europe on summer ‘tramps’ to hike 300 miles while studying natural history and foreign languages in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and England. A lot has changed since the 19th century, starting with the reduced physical stamina of the students! But one constant has been the dedicated energy and enthusiasm that faculty bring to IU’s short-term programs. We thank you and commend you for continuing this long academic tradition at IU.
Faculty leaders serve as liaisons between Indiana University and the host institution or provider, and between the student participants and the local administrators, faculty and others on site. They also take on a wide range of responsibilities and roles that on the IU campuses are handled by a series of professionals across numerous offices: academic dean, teacher, culture broker, advisor, personal counselor, financial consultant, disciplinary monitor, registrar, communications coordinator, technology expert, emergency respondent and confessor.
Although the success of faculty-led programs abroad depends on the commitment and capability of the directors, please remember that you are not alone. Education Abroad, with its decades of experience in working with faculty directors, can serve as a resource from the outset of your charge. In some cases, you will also have experienced and responsive support from on-site resource people to help you deal with arrival, housing, academic and emergency assistance.
We hope that the role of faculty leader will be one you will long remember as you look back on your career. It is our experience that the students on your program will always associate you with one of the most memorable experiences of their lives.
Education Abroad
Indiana University