Notification 

It is critical to the future of international student mobility that every international student represents their home country in a positive light. SIIP believes that the best way to ensure this happens is to encourage each visiting student to respect the culture and local laws of the host country, and to respect the policies of the Host School. 

In many cases, institutions will have similar expectations to schools in the US.  In our marketing materials, we have highlighted those institutions which, in our judgment, have stricter rules and expectations of their students.  We encourage you to apply only to those programs where you are comfortable with the expectations that we have, and the Host School has. 

Be safe! 

Our primary concern is that you’re safe.  If you’re unsure of anything (like how to cross the road, or whether you should walk through an area), please ask us.  If you’re feeling down, let your local representative know.  The local representative is there to help you. 

Concentrate on your studies 

We are a study abroad provider, not a travel agent.  Our focus is on enabling you to immerse at your Host School, and an important part of this is ensuring that you succeed academically.  You need to do your part by going to class and completing assignments on time.

Plagiarism or other forms of cheating (including but not limited to taking notes into a closed-book exam) are absolutely unacceptable and may result in dismissal from the SIIP program.  You will automatically be dismissed from the SIIP program if you are expelled from the Host School for academic misconduct.

Obey local law and university policy 

We understand that you may not agree with every local law, in the same way that you probably do not agree with every law at home.  However, violations of local law may impact you, your fellow students, or SIIP, in a negative way, and we may take disciplinary action.  If you are found guilty of any violent crime, we will dismiss you from the program. 

You may also not agree with every university policy, but you must obey university rules and regulations.  We cannot support our students who violate the goodwill of our university partners. 

Drinking 

Because our participants are often from the US or Ontario, one of the biggest concerns is that students who are 18 can often drink legally overseas.  In some ways, this is a good thing, because it is often safer to drink supervised, in a pub, than unsupervised, at a college party. 

As a SIIP student, you are responsible for your actions.   If you choose to drink, you may.  However, we will not tolerate reckless behavior after alcohol, or alcohol abuse.  Among the most dangerous behaviors while overseas are:

• Drinking and then swimming
• Drinking and then driving

If you are convicted of drinking and operating a vehicle – including, but not limited to a bicycle – we will immediately remove you from the program with no refund. 

Other cause for concern includes:

• An arrest for irresponsible behavior after drinking
• Memory loss after drinking
• Being issued an Asbo (anti-social behaviour order, UK only)
• Damaging Host School or other’s property
  

Each SIIP orientation includes information on how to spot alcohol abuse. 

Drugs 

You are expected to follow local law.  Most drugs are illegal in almost every country – in Amsterdam, for example, using marijuana is technically illegal.  Drug abuse may result in disciplinary procedures at the Host School, and disciplinary action by SIIP.  In some countries, including Morocco, a drug possession charge is a very serious one indeed. 

Supplying drugs to others, and trafficking drugs across international borders are both absolutely unacceptable and will result in immediate removal from your SIIP program, without refund.  These drug offenses may also result in long jail terms, a long way from home.  Neither we, nor your Embassy, are likely to be able to help you once you are caught by the authorities. 

Disciplinary Proceedings 

When we identify a violation of the Code of Respect, we will assess the situation and may take any of the following actions. We will inform your Home School when we take one of the following steps: 

Restitution: we will bill you for any damages, extra expenses, or financial loss that you cause SIIP, the Host School, or another party.  The due date for the charges is one week after the date restitution is assessed; the Late Payment schedule is outlined in the financial policies section.

Written warning: if you have not previously been issued a Written Warning and we determine that you violated the Code but that your behavior did not endanger you or others, did not cause economic damage to SIIP in excess of $500, and you did not cause more than $500 of damage, we will notify you of a problem, insist that you improve your behavior, and if necessary restrict your actions.  Such a warning may preclude you from SIIP activities including excursions.  You may simultaneously be assessed Restitution and/or Housing Removal.

Housing Removal: if you cause damage to your accommodation through direct action or omission, are inconsiderate of your neighbors, endanger another student, or violate the terms of the lease (e.g. using illegal drugs or running an illegal business on the premises), you may be moved.  Two parties can demand that you are moved: a. you may be asked to leave by your landlord (which may be the Host School, if it is providing housing); or, b. you may be asked to leave by SIIP. 

In either case, we will find new accommodation for you once and only once.  You will be billed a $500 penalty charge, and may in addition be assessed Restitution if you have caused damages or financial loss to another party or to SIIP.  Depending on the violation, you may be subject to Written Warning or Dismissal.

Dismissal: this means we dismiss you from the Program, without refund.  You will not receive a transcript.  This is the automatic penalty if you traffic or supply illegal drugs, if you are convicted of a violent crime, if you are expelled from the Host School, or if you are convicted of operating any vehicle, including but not limited to a bicycle, while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.  Dismissal is also the consequence of any violation following a Written Warning, and for any offense which in our sole judgment endangered you or others; caused economic damage in excess of $500 to SIIP; or, caused financial loss of $500 or more to a third party. 

Accommodation details 

We have specified the types of accommodation in which we expect you to be housed.  If different accommodation is provided, SIIP will issue refunds only if it, at its sole discretion, believes that the new accommodation is not of the same standard as the accommodation that was advertised when you purchased the Experience. 

SIIP asks its students to leave promptly at the end of their time in the accommodation.  If you overstay, SIIP will support landlords in their efforts to reclaim additional rent from you.  

Calling procedure 

Your local SIIP representative will call you on the following schedule, until the end of your time overseas:

• One week after orientation
• Three weeks after orientation
• Seven weeks after orientation
• Eleven weeks after orientation
• Fifteen weeks after orientation (if appropriate)
  

You should bring up any concerns you have when he or she calls you.