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Eligibility and International Expectations

All students participating on a college-sponsored international experience must meet College-Wide Expectations, International Expectations and Criteria, and Program Specific Distinctives

College Wide Eligibility

  • Be at least 18 years of age or older prior to the start date of the program.

  • Be a degree-seeking student in good academic standing at Wheaton or another college or university during the semester(s) in which the student applies, is accepted and participates in the program. Students on academic probation or suspension at Wheaton or another college/university are not eligible to participate in a Wheaton College sponsored off-campus program.

  • A student must be in good standing with Student Development during the semester(s) or term(s) in which he/she applies, is accepted, and participates in the program. At the time of program acceptance, students not currently in good standing but whose contract with Student Development will end prior to the start of the program may be provisionally accepted. All conditions specified in the conduct outcome must be met to be eligible for participation. Students on disciplinary probation or suspension are not eligible for off-campus programs. 

  • A student should be in good standing in accordance with Wheaton’s chapel attendance policy during the semester(s) or term(s) in which he/she applies, is accepted, and participates in an international or off-campus program. Students on disciplinary probation for chapel attendance may not be eligible and require permission from a Student Development Dean or the Director of Athletics to apply to or participate in an international or off-campus program. For academic programs, GPS permission is also required.

  • Agree to behave while abroad according to Wheaton Community Covenant standards, any additional student conduct standards adopted by the particular study/service abroad program in which the student is a participant, and local laws.

  • Be current in their student accounts. Students with a financial hold or past due balances with Student Financial Services will not be permitted to register for off-campus programs and will be responsible for any related withdrawal fee(s).

  • Students are required to complete all travel preparation requirements in full by deadlines established by the College and/or the program. (This includes online/electronic and offline requirements, such as paying deposits and attending required orientations as scheduled.) Students must be willing, after acceptance, to communicate all known health conditions to ensure that program faculty/staff can best support participants while abroad.  Students must promptly reply to inquiries or requests from supporting offices, including but not limited to Student Wellness and Student Health Services, which will be communicated to the student’s Wheaton (or home campus) email address.

  • Students must comply with required host country-specific vaccinations and/or program partner immunization requirements to be eligible to participate. Wheaton College cannot override policies or requirements implemented by other countries, program partners, or other institutions. 

  • If a College-sponsored travel involves organized contact with vulnerable populations*, students are required to receive or have received the minimum required vaccines for childcare workers in the state of Illinois. The immunizations, whether administered as a single dose or in a series, must be completed at least two weeks in advance of the date of departure. As a matter of Christian ethics, we are committed to minimizing the risk of bringing vaccine-preventable disease to an at-risk community.


*Vulnerable populations, as defined by the IRB and other sources, include: children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, institutionalized individuals (such as hospital patients, prisoners, and residents of nursing homes or orphanages), individuals of low socio-economic status (given potential limited access to healthcare), and individuals with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

International Expectations and Criteria


International Travel and Day-to-Day Living Expectations and Criteria
Participants must:

  • be able to navigate and travel independently to and from the program destination;

  • be able to navigate and travel independently in the program location;

  • be able to manage their own banking and finances;

  • be responsible for all personal belongings;

  • be willing and able to maintain tidy living and common areas;

  • be willing and able to work effectively as a member of a group/team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions;

  • effectively communicate ideas and concerns on an individual and group level. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences;

  • maintain a positive attitude and exhibit a willingness to participate in all required program activities, which includes on-time arrival to each.

Health, Safety & Security Expectations and Criteria

Participants must:

  • be able to manage the daily physical demands in the environment of their chosen program;

  • be able to manage all necessary self-care without assistance or reminders, including but not limited to maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration, dressing appropriately for environmental conditions, and maintaining personal hygiene;

  • be able to self-manage known medical conditions without assistance or reminders (except in emergencies);

  • be able to maintain proper dosage of prescription medications, if applicable, without assistance or reminders (except in emergencies); must be able to determine with prescribing doctor(s) if any/all medication is available and/or legal in the country/countries of travel, and if not, what alternative medication is viable;

  • be willing and able to understand and apply all provided health, safety, and security information and directives;

  • be responsible for their own behavior, including during unsupervised time;

  • maintain a reasonable level of situational awareness appropriate to circumstances;

  • be willing and able to ask for help if needed;

  • must be willing to access local healthcare professionals for medical (physical or mental health) treatment and advice, and must be willing and able to follow any directives from the emergency assistance provider and in-person local medical professionals;

  • contribute to a safe learning and/or ministry environment. No inappropriate verbal or physical behavior toward others, either in person or online, is tolerated for any reason.

Cultural Adjustment Expectations and Criteria
Participants must:

  • be able to tolerate and function effectively in an environment where they may not speak the language and/or where they are not fully culturally competent;

  • be willing and able to tolerate significant levels of ambivalence and ambiguity that naturally occur when one encounters a culture and/or language different than one’s own;

  • be willing and able to adapt and function effectively in conditions that may differ from those they are accustomed to, including variations in diet, accommodations, communication, transportation, sanitation, and other living or working standards;

  • be willing and able to tolerate, adapt to, and function effectively in environments where the predominant cultural norms and practices may differ from their own, including differences in communication styles, perceptions of time, attitudes toward authority, and expectations regarding personal space.

  • be willing and able to function effectively and behave respectfully in environments where the predominant cultural, social, or ideological values and perspectives may differ from their own, including differences related to gender roles, sexual identity, religion, individualism, and political beliefs.

  • be willing and able to show respect through speech and actions for other students, faculty, staff, and local residents.

Program-Specific Distinctives


These will be articulated by individual programs on the application.
 


Wheaton College is committed to providing equal access, to the greatest extent possible, to College-sponsored programs through reasonable ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accommodations. Because international programs occur in a wide variety of countries and settings, available accommodations may differ from those typically available on campus and may be affected by local laws, available resources, and the amount of advance notice provided. Students who anticipate needing accommodations are strongly encouraged to contact Learning and Accessibility Services (LAS) as soon as possible after acceptance so the interactive accommodation process can begin. Please note that countries outside of the U.S. do not follow the ADA and may be more or less accessible than the United States.