STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
FEASIBILITY PROPOSAL
Exchange programs
Completing a feasibility proposal is an important step when developing a new Study Abroad/Exchange program. The following information, as well as the feasibility proposal form which begins on the next page, are designed to help University departments and schools to outline the critical details of their new program. This in turn helps to ensure that the program is shaped with the needs of students in mind and that all important details have been gathered and considered.Should you have questions as you complete your feasibility proposal, the Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP) will be glad to assist you.Please feel free to contact OISP at 309-438-5276 to discuss international program ideas with OISP staff members.
To this date you should have completed steps 1 – 5 of the Critical Steps for the Establishment of an International Partnership protocol towards creating a new partnership or program for Illinois State University students. Please note: the actual order of the steps may differ.
1. An interested party (faculty/staff member, student, alumni, etc.) contacts the Unit for International Linkages (UIL) in OISP to discuss/explore the possibility of establishing some form of relationship between ISU and a foreign institution.
Contact information can be found at: http://InternationalStudies.IllinoisState.edu/contact/
2. The UIL director initiates contact(s) with the institution outside of the United States. This may include research about, a site visit to, and/or hosting visitors from the institution.
3. Further research is conducted to determine the benefit of possible international collaboration: Is the proposed partnership a good fit for ISU? What does each party hope to gain from the proposed collaboration? The faculty/staff member who initiated contact may wish to involve the appropriate personnel in their school/department and OISP in order to facilitate this research.
4. Meeting(s) take place with OISP’s UIL director, Study Abroad and Exchange Student and Scholar coordinators to determine/assess merits of “proposed relationship”.
5. OISP drafts a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Once approved by ISU Legal Counsel, this document should be signed by the president of ISU and the acting head of the partner institution. An MOU is the first step in the developing a relationship between the two entities and it only communicates each institution’s desire to work together. It does not legally bind either institution to any further action.
Considerations For Beginning the Process
As you begin to complete the Feasibility Proposal process, please be advised of the following:
· Creating new programs/partnerships may, at times, be a lengthy process. We suggest you plan to have the program approved at least 2 semesters prior to your proposed program start date so there is ample time to recruit.
· By completing this document, you agree to be the Faculty Director for this proposed program. Faculty Director’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:
o Recruiting students for the program
o Meeting with students regarding questions about the program
o Articulating ISU equivalencies of Major/Minor courses at the host institution
o Working with the Study Abroad Coordinator on the Program Budget, if applicable
o Providing emergency contact/s and itinerary information, if applicable
o Verifying acceptance of students into the program (work with the Study Abroad Coordinator)
o Attending students’ Orientation meeting each term the program runs - date(s) to be determined
Feasibility Program Proposal Form
Exchange Programs
This proposal form was designed to assist you with sorting out details that will affect your program. We encourage you to meet with our office about any issues to which you cannot answer throughout the proposal process.
Contact Information:
Primary ISU Faculty Director Contact InformationName of ISU faculty contact person
(Faculty Director):
Position/Title:
Telephone number:
Fax number:
Email address:
Department:
Campus Mailcode:
Home contact information in case of emergency:
ISU Faculty Co-Director Contact Information (if applicable)
Name of ISU faculty contact person
(Faculty Co-Director):
Position/Title:
Telephone number:
Fax number:
Email address:
Department:
Campus Mailcode:
Home contact information in case of emergency:
DEFINING YOUR PROPOSED PROGRAM
Please make sure to answer each lettered section and all associated bullets.
A. RATIONALE
o How does this program support the overall mission of ISU?
o What goals do you hope to achieve from this proposed program? (departmental or otherwise)
o Why have you chosen this location/host university for the proposed program?
B. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROGRAM
Please describe the program. (For example, how do you envision the program to run? (Academic instruction, field trips, site visits, internship opportunities, combination of, etc.)
C. FAMILIARITY WITH PROGRAM SITE
Have you visited or lived in this country? If so, when and for how long?
D. STUDENT PARTICIPATION (check the appropriate box)
o Who can participate? Undergraduate Graduate Both Graduate and Undergraduate
o Minimum GPA to participate: ______GPA (Undergraduate) ______GPA (Graduate, if applicable)
Please be advised: OISP minimum cumulative GPA is 2.5 undergraduate, 3.0 graduate
o Are there course pre-requisites? Yes No
If yes, please list ______
______
o Are there major GPA requirements? Yes No
If yes, please state ______
o Are there foreign language prerequisites? Yes No
If yes, please state/list______
______
o How many students can this program accommodate per term? ______
o Is there a minimum enrollment for this program? Yes No
If yes, please state how many students ______
FACULTY DIRECTOR’S ROLE IN THIS PROGRAM (check the appropriate box)
My role is to serve as Faculty Director and TO ACCOMPANY the students abroad as:
(check all that apply)
Instructor
Guide (non-instructional)
Other (please specify) ______
My role is to serve as Faculty Director and NOT accompany the students abroad.
E. DESCRIPTION OF HOST UNIVERSITY/COMPANY/LOCATION
o Name of University (if applicable) ______
o City, Country ______
o Which major city is nearby? ______
F. ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Please list all courses that will be taught, attaching additional sheet(s) if necessary. If there is a full curriculum offered at the host university, please also supply a current course catalog.
Course title at host university (if applicable) / Equivalent ISU Course Number1
2
3
4
5
6
o Courses will be taught by: ISU Faculty Host University Faculty Both ISU and Host Faculty
o Academic instruction will be conducted at: (check all that apply)
Host University Onsite Tour ISU Campus Other (please specify) ______
o Is the program open to specific ISU majors or colleges only? Yes No
If yes, please specify the majors______
o (If applicable) Are there required courses at the host university? Yes No
If yes, please list ______
______
G. Grading Scale
o If students will be taking classes at the host institution abroad, please indicate grading scale information below or attach to this document.
H. PROGRAM DURATION
o (If applicable) What is the period(s) of study at the host university?
Quarter Trimester Semester Other (please specify) ______
Approximate Start Date/s / Approximate End Date/sTerm 1
Term 2 (if applicable)
Term 3 (if applicable)
Term 4 (if applicable)
Does the host university have a requirement for duration of program? Yes No
If yes, please specify ______
o (If summer program) How many weeks? ______
Envisioned approximate program dates: Start date ______End date ______
I. ON-SITE INFORMATION (Provide as much information as possible)
Please also view the attached appendix for the program budget template which is provided for your information only, and should not be filled out.
o Accommodation
§ (Check all that apply) Hostel/Hotel Dorms Apartment-style Homestay
§ Who arranges accommodation? ______
§ Are utilities included? Yes No
§ Is internet available? Yes No
If yes, is usage an additional expense? Yes No
§ Are laundry facilities/services available? Yes No
o Are any meals provided? Yes No
If yes, please explain ______
______
o Are students required to pay host university’s student fees? Yes No
If yes, please estimate amount in U.S. Dollars ______
o Does the host university/study abroad company provide insurance? Yes No
If yes, is the offered insurance required? Yes No
Is there an additional cost? Yes No
If yes, please estimate amount in U.S. Dollars ______
o Orientation
Is an on-site orientation provided? Yes No
If yes, is there an additional cost? Yes No
If yes, please estimate amount in U.S. Dollars ______
J. TRAVEL, IMMIGRATION and IMMUNIZATIONS
o How do you prefer the students to travel to the host site?
Arrange Individually Group Flight
If group flight, who will make travel arrangements? ______
o Immigration
§ Is a visa required to enter the country? Yes No
If yes, please specify ______
§ Is a residence permit required to stay in the country? Yes No
o Arrival
§ Is airport pickup provided? Yes No
If yes, is there an additional cost? Yes No
If yes, please estimate amount in U.S. Dollars ______
o Are immunizations mandatory for host country? Yes No
(Please visit CDC website for complete details: http://cdc.gov/)
K. RECRUITMENT, APPLICATION AND ORIENTATION
o How do you intend to recruit students?
What support, if any, do you need/expect from OISP (this will be discussed further when you meet with the Study Abroad Coordinator)?
o What is the preferred application deadline for your program? ______
Please be advised: The standard deadlines for programs are: March 15th for fall semester participation, Sept. 15 for spring semester participation, and March 1st for summer term participation. No applications will be accepted after these dates.
L. EXCHANGE: Incoming Exchange Students Coming to ISU
o COURSES
§ Do you anticipate that incoming exchange students will focus on courses offered in your school or department? Yes No
If yes, have you selected certain courses that exchange students would be eligible for provided they meet prerequisites? Please list:
ISU Course Number / ISU Course Title1
2
3
4
5
§ Will you be able to guarantee spaces for incoming exchange students for classes taught in your department? Yes No
§ Do you anticipate that incoming exchange students will study courses in a variety of departments? Yes No
§ Does the exchange partner require that their students take specific ISU courses, or is the exchange partner flexible with any ISU courses either in your department/school or across the ISU campus?
Incoming exchange students may take any ISU courses
Specific ISU courses are required, please list:
ISU Course Number / ISU Course Title1
2
3
4
5
§ Will the (timing of the) partner’s academic calendar allow their students to attend ISU’s regular semester periods (Aug.-Dec. and/or Jan.-May)? Yes No
If no, please advise ______
o SELECTION OF STUDENTS
§ How does the exchange partner screen its applicants? Please explain:
§ What criteria does the exchange partner use to select students? Please explain:
§ Providing proof of incoming students’ English proficiency is mandatory. How will the incoming exchange students prove their English proficiency? Please be advised: ISU admission requirements include a minimum TOEFL score of 550 for paper/pencil tests, 213 for computer-based tests, or 79 for iBT/Next Generation scores. For IELTS, a minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required.
TOEFL IELTS Other (please specify) ______
§ Incoming exchange students may be:
Undergraduate Graduate Both Graduate and Undergraduate
§ If the incoming exchange students will focus on courses in your school/department, do you have a preference about how far along the students must be in their degree programs at home?
Yes No
If yes, please explain
o DURATION OF STAY
§ When would incoming exchange students attend ISU? (Check all that apply)
Fall Spring Summer
Please be advised: while summer is an option, there are extra considerations. Please contact the Exchange Student and Scholar coordinator (Stephanie Gonzalez) to discuss these considerations.
o ACCOMMODATION
§ These are the options available to incoming exchange students, please check all that apply:
On-campus ISU residence halls
Off-campus in private apartments (arranged independently by students)
o ORIENTATION
Does the overseas partner provide their students with a pre-departure orientation? Yes No
If yes:
What information is covered?
What information from ISU would incoming exchange students find helpful for their preparation?
o CONTACT INFORMATION
At Host University, Primary Contact for Incoming Exchange Students coming to USA:Name :
Title:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Email address:
M. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE PROPOSED PROGRAM
Host University/Program Provider InformationName of institution abroad:
Address:
Telephone number:
Fax number:
Email address:
Contact person(s) abroad
Position/Title:
Telephone number:
Fax number:
Email address:
Mailing address (if different than above):
Emergency contact information:
(Name and phone number)
Administrator for International Program (if different than above)
Position/Title:
Telephone number:
Fax number:
Email address:
Mailing address:
Departmental/School and College
Winter Break Program / April 1 of year prior to start date
Spring Break Program / April 1 of year prior start date
Summer Program / April 1 of year prior start date
Semester Program / Spring Program: Dec 1 of year prior to start date
Fall Program: April 1 of year prior to start date
Study Abroad Proposal
Approval Form
Part One: To be completed by the FACULTY
DIRECTOR(S) submitting the proposal.
A. Proposal Submission Date: ______
B. Program Title/Host University: ______
C. Program Dates: ______
D. Faculty Director(s): ______
E. Department: ______
F. College: ______
G. The following course(s) will be offered for credit as part of this Study Abroad Program:
If proposing a host university please attach prospective course articulations for review by department chair.
COURSE/S TITLE/S CREDIT HOURS
Illinois State University recognizes that directing a Study Abroad program places extraordinary and varied demands on a faculty member during the international portion of the program. I have read and understand the duties of an ISU Study Abroad Program Director as outlined in the Study Abroad Faculty Director’s Handbook.
My signature below verifies my acceptance of the role of Faculty Director.