Global Learning Policies
The Off-Campus Study Office and the Committee on Academic Standing follow certain principles in recommending and approving study abroad programs and applications.
Hamilton College students studying abroad and/or off-campus are held to the same code of conduct as if they were on the Hamilton College campus. By their attendance at Hamilton College and an approved off-campus study program, students are obligated to comply with its regulations and procedures, which they are expected to read and understand.
Hamilton College regulations and practices are designed to promote the educational mission of the College and to encourage respect for the rights of others. Every student enrolled at Hamilton College has certain obligations and responsibilities as a member of the Hamilton College community whether on campus or abroad.
Behavior that violates College standards of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action through the appropriate judicial process. If it is determined that a group is responsible for a violation, either by direct involvement or by condoning, encouraging or covering up the violation, appropriate action will be taken with respect to the group as well as to the individuals involved.
All students sign the honor code pledge at the time they formally accept admission to the College. Hamilton students abroad will be held to the Hamilton College Honor Code.
Eligibility to study abroad is automatically revoked if a student fails to remain in good standing at Hamilton College or falls below the threshold of established eligibility criteria. Student eligibility to study abroad is assessed at the time the student applies for study abroad advising. Students may lose eligibility at any time prior to study abroad in the following ways:
- Failing to maintain the required qualifying Study Abroad GPA of 2.7
- A grade of F in one or more courses in the semester prior to study abroad
- Accruing 6 or more disciplinary points prior to study abroad
- Failing to complete Course Requirements for PE, QSR, WI prior to study abroad: Two or more incomplete requirements will disqualify a student from study abroad. A student is allowed to study abroad with one remaining requirement upon submission of the form Acknowledgement of One (1) Incomplete Requirement. The student must indicate on the form, the plan for completion of that requirement upon return from study abroad.
- Failure to be a “student in good standing’ at the College, this may include:
Suspension from Hamilton for non-Academic Reasons
Suspension from Hamilton for Academic Integrity Violation
Status of Academic Probation
Status of Suspension for Academic Deficiency
Students on academic suspension may be able to enroll independently in a foreign university for the duration of the suspension and transfer credits to Hamilton. A student with a suspension from the college for academic deficiency can only transfer up to two Hamilton units of credit while they are on suspension. A student with an Honor Court suspension will not normally be allowed to transfer credits completed at other institutions while on suspension.
- Active Medical Leave from the College: A student on an active medical leave of absence is not eligible to study abroad through the College. In order to be eligible to study abroad a student must follow the return from medical leave process and be cleared to return by the Dean of Students Office. For additional information regarding Medical Leave contact the Student Support Care Team (315-859-4600) or studentsupport@hamilton.edu
- Petitions and Appeals: Students may petition CAS through Global Learning for missing eligibility requirements (GPA, foreign language prerequisites, programs not on the published approved list, and grades). Students who wish to appeal disciplinary points may request an appeal in Global Learning and will be referred to the appropriate staff in the Office of the Dean of Students.
Study abroad is permitted in countries with U.S. State Department and CDC Travel Advisory Levels of 2 or below. Students who wish to travel in countries with a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory of Level 3 may be granted an exception by Global Learning upon review of the nature of the specific advisory as well as a review of additional global security information sources. If your study abroad destination is assigned a U.S. Department of State Advisory and CDC Advisory of Level 3, Global Learning will be in touch with you if your location is not approved for study abroad.
Travel abroad to countries with U.S. Department of State Advisory Level 4 is prohibited.
NOTE: Due to COVID-related restrictions and government policies throughout the world, U.S. travelers may be prohibited from entry or may be subject to quarantine and other restrictions. Global Learning will work with students planning to study abroad to understand these restrictions which may disqualify travel abroad.
Hamilton College requires that all students enroll in International Travel Health Insurance. Many partner institutions and programs provide this insurance, and the Off-Campus Study Office will enroll students at no personal cost in a qualified policy if the study abroad program does not provide insurance. Enrollment must be completed prior to departing the country, and evidence of insurance may be required at the port of entry in a host country. International Travel Health Insurance only covers the student while abroad.
Students studying abroad are required to carry domestic (U.S. or Home Country) medical insurance while abroad. Unforeseen illnesses, accidents, family emergencies, and other circumstances may require that students return home prior to the scheduled end of the study abroad program. It is imperative to have domestic insurance in place.
Hamilton College maintains a strict housing policy. Housing options are selected in order to ensure the safety of students studying abroad and give students optimum learning experience and cultural integration. Students must choose from the housing options vetted by the program provider. Independent housing is not permitted. Hamilton has posed specific limitations on housing for some study abroad programs. These are noted below. Please be aware of these specific housing stipulations as well as the general policy which prohibits independent housing.
DIS-Hamilton Housing Policy: Hamilton College housing policy for DIS-Copenhagen and DIS-Stockholm is developed in consultation with DIS. The DIS-Hamilton policy restricts housing options for Hamilton College students participating in the DIS – Copenhagen program to the following:
- Homestay families
- Living Learning Communities
- Kollegium
- Folkehøjskole
The policy also restricts housing options for Hamilton College students participating in the DIS – Stockholm program to the following:
- Homestay families
- Living Learning Communities
- Studentboende
- Residential Community
DIS housing options benefit from services and direct support of DIS staff. Hamilton students are not allowed to secure independent apartments and must sign and submit the DIS-Hamilton Housing Agreement at the time of application.
The Global Learning Office strongly advises against owning, renting, and operating a vehicle while abroad.
Road accidents are the number one cause of fatality for healthy Americans abroad and, therefore, we strongly advise that you maintain awareness and learn about road and traffic safety in the countries where you plan to live and/or visit as a pedestrian and as a potential passenger in a vehicle. We discourage driving outside of the United States for the following reasons:
Road regulations and laws are unfamiliar. While in some countries driving laws may appear to be similar, as foreign drivers we are still not knowledgeable of the details and nuances of the laws that local drivers are following. In other countries, it may be obvious that driving laws are different and, therefore, it increases the risk factors for road accidents.
Traffic and road culture are unfamiliar. Local drivers understand the driving habits and environment of the roads they regularly drive on, which vary from country to country. Certain cultural factors influence how drivers behave on the road. This includes risk tolerance, driving attitudes, and perceived control of a vehicle. The most common example of road culture is how drivers adhere to red lights or speed limits. Despite having laws in place, the road culture may tolerate non-compliance. Unfamiliarity with the road culture increases the risk of a road accident.
Vehicle conditions may not meet safety standards or may meet local safety standards which in some cases may not be as rigorous as we are used to in the United States. Differences such as the availability of functioning seat belts, adequate mirrors, good tire condition, correctly adjusted headlights, and functioning emergency brakes increase the risk of road accidents.
Some places may have inadequate emergency care. Rural areas and developing countries may not have the resources to respond quickly to a road crash. Post-accident hospital care is not always consistent across a country and in non-English speaking countries language can be a barrier to receiving proper care.
