Resident director role overview
Resident directors are faculty or staff who lead students on an international travel experience, often tied to a credit-bearing course. This role requires a significant year-round commitment, beginning 18-24 months before travel with a new program proposal or reauthorization of a previously existing program, and continuing through post-travel responsibilities.
During travel, global education is a 24/7 commitment for both students and resident directors. Leading a study abroad program involves unique responsibilities, demands and challenges beyond those in a traditional classroom. While deeply rewarding, it is a time-intensive and complex role. The Office of International Affairs provides support throughout the process.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Administrative Duties: Completing program documentation and financial tasks before, during, and after travel
- Logistics Coordination: Managing travel arrangements, transportation, meals, etc. and communicating with on-site providers (hotels, guides, bus drivers, etc.)
- Student Support: Navigating group dynamics, resolving conflicts and addressing student behavior
- Health & Wellness: Supporting student needs and issues, ranging from mild homesickness to serious health concern
Resident director role overview
Resident directors serve as ethical leaders and role models, influencing student behavior through their actions and decisions. They must:
- Maintain professional and neutral relationships with all students
- Avoid favoritism and preferential treatment
- Prioritize the well-being of students and the university’s interests above personal needs
Program planning timeline
To support program leaders and provide a framework for program success, the Faculty-Led Roadmap and Milestones was created considering:
- Changes to university policies and procedures, and the travel industry (at large) over the past ten years, resulting in increased lead time to confirm program logistics with travel and on-site partners and providers
- Best practices in the study abroad field
Following the roadmap and milestones helps ensure the program fee is set early enough for students to make informed financial decisions before the application deadline. If you have any questions, please contact the global education program managers at OIA-EAPM@osu.edu.
To propose or renew a faculty-led program, contact Kyle Sturges, associate director of global education, and your college's global education liaison.
Responsibilities and time commitment
| Activity | Description | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Respond to the Office of International Affairs and college requests in a timely manner. | Ongoing (before, during, after travel) |
| Student advising | Advise students on all aspects of program participation. This could include everything from academics to travel logistics to managing their health and well-being while abroad. | Ongoing (before, during, after travel) |
| Financial management | Collaborate with global education to create the program budget. Complete all required financial training. Manage program funds and purchases. Complete expense reports in Workday upon return from travel. | Ongoing (before, during, after travel) |
| Program administration | Work with global education on itinerary and travel logistics development. Identify a second, Ohio State-affiliated resident director in advance of the student application deadline. Submit all required documents and information in a timely manner. Obtain or renew passport as soon as possible. | Pre-application deadline (12-9 months before travel) |
| Program recruitment | Collaborate with global education on recruitment. Attend the annual Study Abroad Fair. | Pre-application deadline (12-9 months before travel) |
| Selection process | Review student applications via online application system. Work closely with global education to select participants. Admissions decisions will be sent by global education. | Pre-application deadline (12-9 months before travel) |
| Teaching and academic coordination | Serve as the instructor of record and coordinate the academic components of the program, including field trips and excursions. Work with departmental course scheduler to set up the program course with the proper attributes for global education according to the Office of the Registrar guidelines. Inform students when it is time to enroll and verify their enrollment. | Post-application deadline/Pre-departure phase (1-6 months before travel) |
| Pre-departure sessions | Co-lead student pre-departure orientations with global education to prepare students academically, culturally and logistically for the host country/travel. Develop community agreement. Be available outside of orientations for student appointments / office hours to address individual concerns. | Post-application deadline/Pre-departure phase (1-6 months before travel) |
| Travel requirements | Have a passport valid six months past end of travel. Meet entry/exit requirements, including visa and required travel immunizations (if applicable). Be prepared to discuss entry/exit requirements with students. | Post-application deadline/Pre-departure phase (1-6 months before travel) |
| Health and safety | Attend and actively engage in required annual health and safety orientations. Become familiar with university health and safety policies, procedures and reporting protocols. Learn how to access support and services through Crisis24. Read and understand U.S. Department of State and CDC travel advisories and Crisis24 location-specific travel risk ratings and suggested precautions. | Post-application deadline/Pre-departure phase (1-6 months before travel) |
| In-country | Travel with the group flight or be in communication with individual travelers as they are en route to program location. Alert global education of any travel disruption and once all students have arrived safely in-country. Provide in-country orientation with attention to local health and safety conditions using referenced local and global resources. Manage student expectations, behaviors and conflicts. Manage program funds and expenses. Be reachable 24/7 via cell phone with international capabilities. Keep original itemized receipts for all purchases and ATM withdrawals. | Travel/in-country phase |
| Emergency response | Provide 24/7 emergency support during the program. Seek all medical and security support through Ohio State’s Crisis24 24/7 hotline. Complete Global Health & Safety incident report for all emergency and emerging situations. Consult with Global Health and Safety for support and consultation, as needed. | Travel/in-country phase |
| Post-program | Complete expense reports in Workday. Submit grades. Encourage students to complete post-program survey. Attend program debrief with global education. Discuss future program cycles with college liaison. | Post-program phase (1-4 weeks after return from travel) |