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PROGRAM POLICIES FOR PERSONAL
BEHAVIOR (Modified from Rob Linrothe’s 2001 Handbook) 1. General We are guests in India and our conduct should be guided by that fact. In addition, and more specifically, we are guests of our affiliated faculty and staff, as well as of the home stay families, who have to live in India with the consequences of our behavior for a long time after we leave. Because they are identifiable to others as our hosts, our behavior reflects directly upon them. Their willingness to work with us as a program is also affected by the nature of our conduct in India. The director and assistant director of the program do not enjoy or want to play police you while we are in India, so our expectations are that the group will behave as a self-disciplined group of adults with respect for one another as well as for the people and culture we are visiting. You must also remember that when people see you, they may see you as an American. How you act and dress can leave a long-lasting impression. The impression should be one of decency in behavior, dress, and language, as well as patience and politeness. Be respectful to all. 2. Some guidelines while traveling overseas The U.S. Embassy in Delhi will have a list of our names and passport numbers and knowledge of where we are throughout the semester. In the event of civil unrest or other potential cause for concern, Leah Renold in India and the NYSICCSI Board will be in prompt contact with them and/or other concerned agencies. Any major decisions with regard to the program (i.e. re: modification or termination of the program) are made in consultation between Leah Renold and the NYSICCSI Board. Such decisions are made with a primary concern for the safety and well-being of the group. There are, in addition, some specific guidelines that are worth noting: Be alert in general. Avoid confrontations or situations that you place you in danger. For example, you should avoid crowds or what might appear to be demonstrations. Keep a low profile. The general advice from the U.S. Embassy to tourists, business personnel and students is to look and behave like everybody else. In particular, flamboyant behavior in terms of appearance or actions, which attracts special attention to the group or to you as an individual, should be avoided. Political conversations are certainly legitimate, but you should avoid being drawn into debates or conversations that might become incendiary or overly emotional. In general, it helps to avoid places where Americans are known to congregate or where there are conspicuous displays of Americana. You might also avoid "flying the flag" on your belongings and clothing. In general, people in India are quite open and friendly toward Americans, but, as you are aware, there are groups throughout the world, which are not. If you see any package or bag that appears to be unattended, mention it to appropriate personnel or to the police. Also, do not leave your own bags unattended at any time. It invites both theft and suspicion. Do not agree to carry, look after, or store any package, letter, parcel, or suitcase for anyone. You should not travel to any location which is considered to be dangerous inside India or to locations where a travel advisory warning has been issued by the State Department. Please be reasonably cautious when you meet new people. Do not provide your local address or phone number. Also, don't give out a lot of information about other students or program activities. You could be endangering the entire group. Don’t pull out wads of money, traveler’s checks or credit cards when paying for things, as it will attract attention. What for you, at first may seem like a small amount of cash, may seem like a small fortune to someone else. 3. Never go anywhere alone.. Always travel with a fellow student. Women students should travel with a fellow male student whenever possible on in a group of at least three women. When you travel on the break or on outings unrelated to program activities, you must inform Leah Renold about where you are going and when you will return. You should always carry your passport, credit cards, and sufficient money to cover unexpected emergencies. 4. Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco There is a non-negotiable behavioral standard with regard to drugs in this program. The use of non-medical drugs of any sort including marijuana, hashish, etc. is absolutely forbidden throughout the entire semester (arrival at JFK to depart until your return home, including breaks and time away from the group). This is true regardless of what you may perceive to be the availability and/or use of drugs in India and regardless of what you may have heard about past semesters or other American academic programs in India. If you cannot agree to this standard, you should withdraw from the program. Arrival in India with the group signals your willingness to abide by this absolute standard. If the director finds you in violation of this standard, in consultation with the Consortium Administrator and officers of the Board including your campus representative, your family and campus will be notified, participation in the program will be terminated, arrangements will be made for your immediate return, and the U.S. embassy and Indian authorities will be notified that you are no longer a participant. This will affect the status of your student visa. No refund will be possible. The illicit use of drugs puts the entire group at risk. It jeopardizes future programs. You do not have the right to put others at risk for your sake. There can be very dire consequences for individuals caught by local law enforcement officers. As a visitor of India, you are subject to the laws and regulations of India’s judicial system.
Keep the following points in mind: 5. Break and Visitors From October 26-November 4, there is scheduled break from classes. Break is an opportunity to continue your study of India in ways that you arrange yourself. You are free to make plans to travel within India to work on your Independent Study assignment, to relax, or to visit places of personal or tourist interest. Alternatively, you may stay for part or all of this ten-day period with your home stay family in Jaipur. It is expected that you will a) not leave India; and b) let the faculty director know your plans during break so that should the need arise, we would be able to contact you; and c) travel with other program partcipants.
It is always gratifying to be able to
share your experience with friends and family. However, visits during the
regular course of the academic program can be a distraction, disrupting
exams, scheduled field trips and the normal flow of program activities.
Visits from family and friends of students must be limited to the
announced break period or after the program has ended. If friends or
family come at an inappropriate time, they will be asked to leave
immediately.
Students must adhere to a dress and cleanliness code. Men should not wear sleeveless shirts. Shorts of respectable length can be worn for hiking, but not on the street. Women should not wear revealing clothes. Do not wear sleeveless shirts or blouses. Do not wear shorts or short dresses. Do not wear tight pants or shirts. If you are asked to change your clothes by the director of the program, do so without argument. You should also do your best to keep your body, hair, and clothes neat and clean on a daily basis. 6. Attendance and Assignments Students must attend all group activities, unless excused for illness. Students are not allowed to skip activities to remain in the hotel or go elsewhere. Students are also expected to complete all assignments and turn them in on the assigned date and time. 7. Health Standards Students must adhere to health standards of the group. We need to do all we can to stay healthy in India. Do not purposely put yourself at risk for contracting an illness. When a student becomes ill, the entire group can be affected. You must drink purified water, preferably bottled water that has also been filtered or water that has been boiled for 20 minutes. You should not take risks by eating food, especially ice cream, from street vendors. Consider the cleanliness of a hotel (restaurant) before eating there. Do not eat raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit. You should also not eat chutney or drinks to which un-purified water or ice has been added. Lassis should be avoided if you are not sure the ice has been purified. Fresh juice stands should also be avoided. 8. Cooperation in Program Students should endeavor to cooperate with the director, assistant director, other students, and all other people associated with the program in India. Students should avoid behavior that is disruptive, negative, or uncooperative. We all have our moments, but we cannot have a successful program when even one student regularly behaves in such a way that disrupts the program or that affects the atmosphere of the program. Students are expected to follow program guidelines in making complaints about any aspect of the program including problems with other students or situations.
IF YOU CANNOT AGREE TO THESE
STANDARDS, YOU SHOULD NOT GO ON THE PROGRAM.
WARNING:
Leah Renold
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