Resident director roles and expectations
Resident directors are faculty or staff members committed to teaching a course that includes an international travel component. Resident directors should expect a significant year-round commitment to the program This begins with submitting a new program proposal 18-24 months before travel and continuing with student support after returning from the host country.
Global education is a 24/7 commitment for both student and resident director participants. Leading a faculty-led study abroad program entails a variety of responsibilities, demands, and challenges that differ significantly from those required in a traditional classroom setting. Duties include, but are not limited to, administrative and fiscal duties related to international travel; interfacing with on-site providers (hotels, tour guides, bus drivers, etc.); arranging transportation and meals; and managing student needs, conflict, and behavior issues, ranging from mild homesickness or roommate conflicts to acute physical and mental health needs (e.g., infectious disease, acute emotional distress, sexual assault, etc.). Students may also need support to manage group dynamics, identity issues, or culture shock.
In this leadership role, resident directors are called to the highest standards of ethical behavior and to understand they are not only an instructor, but a role model whose words and actions strongly influence the reactions and behaviors of the students. Additionally, resident directors must maintain professional and neutral relationships with each student in the group and avoid displays of preferential treatment and/or favoritism. Above all, resident directors will often have to put the needs of the students above their own. The students’ and university’s best interests must be always prioritized.
Being a resident director can be overwhelming at times, and the Office of International Affairs will assist throughout the process. International Affairs provides training, preparation and support for all resident directors. To learn more about submitting a new faculty-led program proposal, contact Kyle Sturges, associate director of global education, and the appropriate college global education liaison.
If a resident director has taken over responsibility for an existing program, it is recommended that they contact the previous directors to learn from their experiences and expertise. In many cases, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
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 academic and travel components. | Ongoing (before, during, after travel) |
| Financial management | Collaborate with the program’s global education specialist to create the program budget. Complete required financial training. Manage program funds and purchases, including completing expense reports upon return from travel. | Ongoing (before, during, after travel) |
| Program administration | Work with the program global education specialist and global education program manager on itinerary and travel logistics development, as needed. Communicate with in-country host/provider, as needed. Create/revise program information sheet. Identify a second, Ohio State-affiliated resident director well in advance of the student application deadline. Submit and review required documents and information in a timely manner through the Terra Dotta online application portal. Obtain or renew passport as soon as possible and submit in Terra Dotta. | Pre-application deadline (12-9 months before travel) |
| Program recruitment | Collaborate with the program’s global education specialist on recruitment, including, but not limited to, hosting information sessions, facilitating classroom visits, advertising in online and print materials, and attending the annual Global Education Expo in September. Successful programs have faculty directors who aggressively recruit applicants. Programs that do not meet the minimum number of applications may be cancelled. | Pre-application deadline (12-9 months before travel) |
| Selection process | Review student applications. Interview students (if applicable). Select participants. | 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, possibly including resident director taught content, coordination with a local university for instruction, and/or 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 sessions with the program’s global education specialist. Pre-departure orientations should prepare students academically, culturally, and logistically for the host country/travel. Develop group expectations agreement. | Post-application deadline/Pre-departure phase (1-6 months before travel) |
| Travel requirements | Obtain visa and required travel immunizations (if applicable) and share visa/immunization entry requirements with students (in conjunction with the program’s global education specialist). | Post-application deadline/Pre-departure phase (1-6 months before travel) |
| Health and safety | Attend and actively engage in resident director Health and Safety Orientation. Become familiar with university health & safety policies, procedures, and reporting protocols. Learn how to access support and services through Crisis24, the university’s travel assistance provider. Read and understand U.S. Department of State 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 | Alert the program’s global education specialist of any travel disruption and once all students have arrived safely in-country. Provide an in-country orientation with attention to local health and safety conditions using local and global resources such as Crisis24 and U.S. Department of State travel information. 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 medical and security support through Ohio State’s Crisis24 24/7 crisis hotline. Global Health and Safety will also be available during travel to provide support and consultation for emergency and non-emergency situations. Be in contact with Global Health and Safety during emergency and/or emerging/urgent situations. | Travel/in-country phase |
| Post-program | Complete expense reports. Submit grades. Encourage students to complete post-program survey. Attend program debrief with the program’s global education specialist to assess the program’s strengths and challenges and plan changes for improvement for future program cycles. Many students are eager to continue their learning upon returning to campus. Resident directors provide informal advice, mentoring, and reflection for program participants. Start planning for next year (if applicable) and/or transition program to future program leaders. | Post-program phase (1-4 weeks after return from travel) |