Honor Code

The Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Languages (IUHPFL), as an honors program, outlines clear norms of conduct for its students to follow and relies upon the individual student's sense of responsibility and honesty to understand and abide by this Honor Code. In order for a student to participate in the program, they must agree to and abide by the following terms:

1. At all times during the program, students are expected to uphold the
   8 Core Values of IUHPFL:
   • Appreciation - Acknowledging the qualities and kind acts of others
   • Diligence - Focusing with enthusiasm on academic and personal goals
   • Discovery - Being open to new ways of looking at the world and oneself
   • Empathy - Choosing words and actions that express compassion and create connection
   • Encouragement - Helping others to reach their goals and to see their unique talents
   • Honor - Acting with integrity and adhering to the Honor Code
   • Respect - Treating others with dignity at all times
   • Unity - Fostering team spirit and trust
     
     
2. IUHPFL Pledge of Excellence: In the IUHPFL model, the strength of the program as a whole is only as strong as its individual students. This means that the Pledge of Excellence is as much a pledge to one's team as to oneself. Students recite the pledge in unison at the Student-Guardian Orientation before departure:

"As I embrace my IUHPFL journey and commit to the Honor Code, I pledge to speak only the target language, uphold the 8 Core Values, celebrate my host family experience, and remain self-disciplined. I will choose to discover the best in myself and others, foster team unity, represent my school, family, and community with pride, and be a good ambassador for IUHPFL."

3. Students must understand the Four Pillars of IUHPFL, which make it such a unique and prestigious program for high school students:

   1. Language Commitment: The student's commitment to speak only the target language during the program, except in cases of emergency, is the first pillar and is key to his or her success.
      • Communication with U.S. family and friends is limited to one hour per week via the Internet, taken in one 60-minute or two 30-minute sessions, according to the student’s preference, and using written (typed) English only; no video calls or speaking English during this hour is permitted. No other contact with U.S. family or friends is allowed, except in cases of emergency and only with instructor permission.
      • All personal cell phones and electronic devices with Internet capability are prohibited during the program (including all smart devices, laptops, and tablets), because such use proves detrimental to the student's ability to fully immerse in the language and culture and to engage with those around him or her.
      • A pay-as-you-go program cell phone will be provided to each student upon arrival at the program site to be used solely by the student for local calls and text messages to fellow students, instructors, and host family members in the target language. The program will pay an ample amount toward minutes for each phone, and if a student should exceed that amount, the student is welcome to pay for additional minutes. Misuse or loss of the program cell phone could result in additional costs for the student.
      • No books or music in English are allowed during the program. If students have summer reading assignments, these need to be completed before or after the program, unless the student can acquire them in the target language. Students may also freely listen to music in the target language, as long as the listening device does not have Internet capability.
   2. Academic Excellence: This second pillar of IUHPFL requires that students give their best effort in all their program coursework, maintaining the highest level of academic honesty and refraining from academic misconduct, which is defined by Indiana University's Code of Student Responsibilities as “any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution,” and in which human, hard-copy or electronic resources are misused.
   3. Host Family Experience is the third pillar of IUHPFL: Students are to treat their host families with respect, keep their space clean, and make every effort to follow household norms like a member of the family. Specific policies and procedures described in the Student-Guardian Handbook are designed to ensure that students have an optimal relationship with their host families.
   4. Community Engagement: This is the fourth pillar of IUHPFL and requires that students be excellent representatives of IUHPFL and the U.S. in their host communities. Each program site will offer at least one Community Engagement Activity that will take place two or more afternoons during the program. These projects allow students to interact with local residents in settings such as schools, retirement communities, and animal rescue centers. Students come to understand and experience yet another layer of the culture and to see themselves as members of their host communities. These hours count toward the International Baccalaureate Diploma when applicable.
      
      
4. No Dating Rule: IUHPFL students may not date anyone in the host country during the program, including other program participants at their site, because focusing on one person can be counterproductive to the unity of the student team, the student's interaction with his or her host family, and his or her overall learning experience.
   
   
5. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Prescription Medications: Even though the laws of other countries may differ from those of the US with regard to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other substances, IUHPFL students are to conduct themselves abroad as minors from the state of Indiana. This means that students are not allowed to purchase or consume alcohol, tobacco or other substances at any time. Night clubs and other establishments whose primary business is serving alcoholic beverages are prohibited to IUHPFL students. It is also strictly forbidden to bring alcohol, tobacco, and other substances back to the US. Students may only purchase, possess, and use prescription medications that have been prescribed specifically to them for current medical conditions, and these medications and conditions must be disclosed to the IUHPFL office before departure.
   
   
6. Risky Activities: Operating a car or other motorized vehicle is forbidden during the program, as is riding passenger on a motorcycle. Students are only permitted to ride as a passenger in a vehicle with an adult driver who is a member of the host family or has been authorized by the host family or the onsite instructor and coordinator team. Students are also not permitted to engage in risky, high adrenaline activities or get tattoos and/or piercings during the program.
   
   
7. Weeknight and Weekend Activities: It is expected and encouraged for students to engage with their host families during weeknights and weekends. During these times, students must be accompanied by a member of the host family. Any weekend travel away from the program site with the host family must have approval from the instructor team and must not interfere with classes and other program activities. Under no circumstances are students allowed to travel during the program dates without being accompanied by their host parents or program instructors.
   
   
8. Rule of Three: Depending on the program site and with permission from their host families, students may spend two (2) or three (3) hours in the town center after daily classes and activities. Whenever students are outside the classroom facility or the host family home and are not under the direct supervision of their instructors or host parents, they are required to stay in groups of at least three program participants at all times. The only exception to this rule is when students are commuting to and from classes.
   
   
9. Students are not to host or meet up with US or international friends or family while the program is in session. However, students sometimes travel with their families after the program ends. The official end date for each program is the day when students are scheduled to depart from the host country to the US; students may meet up with family members on that day.
   
   
10. Post-Program Language Commitment: IUHPFL students commit to helping their schools' language programs in any way possible and to continuing to study their foreign language through their senior year in high school or at the university level, if possible.
    
    
11. Honor Code, Handbook and Orientation: Students are required to read and abide by this Honor Code, as well as the Student-Guardian Handbook. It is also mandatory for students to attend the Student-Guardian Orientation with their guardians before departure on the Indiana University Bloomington campus. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon successful completion of orientation.
    
    
12. Terms and Conditions:
    1. Adherence to this Honor Code is of critical importance. Any infraction against it can result in repercussions, including communication with US guardians and possible expulsion from the program.
    2. In the event that this Honor Code is violated by a large number of students collectively, the consequences can apply to the entire group of students. For this reason, students are highly encouraged to hold one another accountable for their actions and adherence to the Honor Code.
    3. Infractions against the Honor Code that result in an Incident Report for the student will disqualify that student from receiving the Award of Excellence at the end of the program.
    4. A student who is expelled from the program will also not receive the IUHPFL Diploma at the end of the program.