O’Neill International and Indiana University have developed a number of policies and standard practices to ensure you have a fun, safe, and academically valuable study abroad experience. Before apply to or accepting a placement on a program, we encourage you to become familiar with these policies.
Policies you need to know for your study abroad experience
- In order for an O’Neill International program to count toward the IU Bloomington World Languages and Cultures requirement, you must complete a minimum of six (6) weeks AND six (6) credit hours overseas. This can be done through a semester exchange, a 6 week / 6 credit course, or two 3 week / 3 credit abroad courses.
- To be admitted to an O’Neill International program, you must meet the minimum IU study abroad GPA requirement of 2.75. Specific programs may require a higher GPA or have additional eligibility requirements, including but not limited to pre-requisite courses, class standing, or semesters at IU. If your GPA is below a 2.75 due to extenuating circumstances, you may still apply and are encouraged to include additional details on your application.
- Particularly in relation to courses worth 3 or more credit hours and semester long programs, study abroad courses must contribute to your academic progress.
- IU does not permit overseas courses to be taken Pass/Fail. For semester exchange programs, grades must be administered for credits to transfer back to IU.
- For semester exchange programs, you are expected to maintain full-time student status while abroad. For undergraduates, you will be required to complete at least 15 hours. For graduates, you will be required to complete at least 12 hours.
- You must respect and abide by the academic regulations of IU, any co-sponsoring agency, and the local host institutions. Any acts of academic misconduct, including cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules or facilitating academic dishonesty, will be adjudicated by local academic officials and then be referred to the judicial process at IU.
- Students with sanctions of disciplinary probation or stronger (i.e., deferred suspension, suspension, or expulsion) may not participate in study abroad programs. O’Neill International will review your disciplinary record in conjunction with your application, and reserves the right to deny acceptance to students who have problematic disciplinary histories. An additional review of your disciplinary record will be completed prior to your program, at which time program acceptance may be retracted due to new infractions.
- To participate in an O’Neill International program, you are required to abide by the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct as well as the laws and customs of the host country, and any rules or regulations made or adopted by IU, O’Neill International, our partners, and/or partner institutions abroad, for the duration of the program. This includes, but is not limited to program specific and host institution rules and regulations for student conduct designed to safeguard health, well-being, and safety. Your participation in a program may be terminated at any time for failure adhere to the above mentioned items.
- All O'Neill International courses carry IU Bloomington course credit. It is possible for the academic credit to be used toward your degree on another IU campus, however, the cost of tuition for the credit cannot be counted in the banded tuition rate at your home campus. All students from IUPUI or a regional campus must pay a per-credit hour tuition rate based on your student residency status on the Bloomington campus.
- In order to receive federal financial aid over the summer, undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 4 credit hours. You are responsible to understand how adding or dropping courses over the summer will impact your eligibility for federal financial aid.
- If you are from IUPUI or a regional campus, you will need to submit a consortium agreement in order to be eligible for federal financial aid on the Bloomington campus.
- If you decide to withdraw from a program, it is your responsibility to contact the O’Neill International via email, outlining the reason for your withdrawal. O’Neill International will respond via email with information concerning the next steps for you to take, fees, etc.
- The nonrefundable prepayment for short-term programs will NOT be refunded under any circumstance. You may also be charged amounts as allowed under the financial agreement you sign at the time of acceptance to an O'Neill International program.
- Program participation is contingent upon your ability to obtain necessary travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, etc.). These documents are issued at the discretion of U.S. and foreign government offices. While the O’Neill International Office can provide documentation in support of applications, the governmental bodies have final authority over issuance of travel documents. Applications may be denied for any reason, including but not limited to insufficient documentation, pending legal action, and past criminal history. Application procedures and requirements may vary based on a number of factors and you should be prepared for delays.
- You are required to attend pre-departure orientation and complete all pre-program requirements prior to your study abroad program. Failure to do so may result in the termination of your program enrollment.