Congratulations! You have been selected to serve as a faculty participant in a Cal Poly study abroad program, coordinated through International Education & Programs (IEP). You may also have been asked to take on the additional role of Resident Director, the university’s designated on-site leader for the program. In any event, the success of the program, educationally and otherwise, will depend in no small measure on the way you play your part. To help you, the IEP staff have prepared this handbook which is intended to clarify expectations and responsibilities and to provide tips on making your involvement both productive and enjoyable. Please read it carefully!

W. David Conn
Vice Provost for Academic Programs
& Undergraduate Education

The intent of this handbook is to provide an overview of the roles and responsibilities of faculty participating in Cal Poly State University study abroad programs, including those designated as Resident Directors (RD). By agreeing to participate, you are accepting a challenge to serve simultaneously as instructor, counselor, advisor, and administrator for the students who will accompany you.

It has often been said within the international education profession that a Resident Director, while leading a study abroad program, wears all of the hats of the university. To a lesser extent, this is also true of other participating faculty. We hope you will find this handbook to be a practical resource that will guide you through all of the hats you may wear, addressing all stages of program leadership from initial marketing to final evaluation.

The preparation of a handbook of this kind is always a work in progress. Your suggestions on how it might be improved for future readers would be much appreciated. Please send them at any time to the IEP Director or the coordinator for your program.

The primary mission of International Education & Programs is to provide leadership and coordination for Cal Poly's international endeavors, and to serve as the principal resource center for global affairs.