Covenant Expectations

Participants on Bethel programs are expected to exhibit sensitivity to the host culture, maintain good behavior, and observe local rules and laws. Bethel reserves the right to dismiss any participant for reasons of unacceptable personal and/or academic behavior. Such dismissal will be without refund and return transportation will be at the student’s expense. 

1. Students must maintain an adequate standard of academic work. Students are expected to follow the course load recommendations of their programs to continue earning the equivalent of 12-18 U.S. semester credits at Bethel. (Students receiving the Minnesota State Grant must earn a minimum of 15 credits per semester.)

2. Students must not engage in plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty.

3. Students must agree to abide by all academic and conduct regulations set forth by the host institution as a condition of their enrollment.

4. Students must earn the equivalent of a C in a course for it to transfer back to Bethel. For non-Bethel programs, letter grades will appear on the transcript but will not be factored into the GPA.

Students are expected to observe rules and exhibit behavior appropriate to the local community they visit. In addition, Bethel students who participate in either Bethel-sponsored programs or third-party programs will also be held responsible for all rules of conduct for Bethel University students, as outlined in written form in the Covenant for Life Together. The following are expectations for Bethel study abroad students: 

1. Students must attend all mandatory Bethel and/or host institution orientations and meetings.  

2. Students must obey all local government laws and regulations where the program is located. Students are subject to the laws of the host country. Students will attend to legal matters with personal funds. Bethel does not guarantee that assistance can be provided under such circumstances.  

3. Students must maintain a satisfactory standard of academic work and behave responsibly at all times (including in the classroom, living situations, free time,  and group excursions). Behavior considered unacceptable includes but is not limited to: Actions causing danger to oneself or others; Actions which result in the intentional or unintentional destruction of others’ property; Involvement in theft; Possession of firearms, bombs, or other incendiary/explosive devices; Furnishing false information to Bethel staff, local authorities, and institution officials; Very loud and/or disruptive behavior; Anti-social or unseemly behavior which reflects poorly on fellow Bethel students or Bethel itself; Failure to heed the direct instruction of Bethel staff or host institution staff.  

4. Students are not permitted to behave violently at any time. This includes physical violence, intimidation, and verbal abuse.

5. Inappropriate sexual behavior disruptive to the program or offensive to the host culture is not tolerated. Sexual misconduct refers to sexual harassment,  sexual assault, threats, or coercion. 

6. Alcohol abuse/misuse is not tolerated. Alcohol consumption that results in any of the following may lead to disciplinary action: loss of consciousness;  destructive or abusive behavior; endangerment of self or others; treatment or hospitalization for alcohol poisoning.

7. Drug abuse/misuse is not tolerated. The possession, use, sale, distribution, or production of illegal drugs, or acting as an accessory for any of the above will not be tolerated and will result in automatic expulsion. (This applies to the abuse of prescription drugs as well.) U.S. law states that possession of any drug is illegal and punishable by fine, imprisonment, and/or deportation. 

8. Breaches of the local law of the host community or country will be referred to the requisite local law enforcement authority. While in the host country, students must also refrain from political activity for their own safety. Students should avoid joining political parties or unions, demonstrations, soliciting political material, or picketing.