Code of Conduct

When deciding to enroll in ABROADER’s program, the intern agrees to abide by the Code of Conduct set out in this document. This Code of Conduct is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the intern, Host Organizations, the local communities and ABROADER, and overall, to ensure a meaningful and rewarding internship experience for all stakeholders. 

ABROADER is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate on any basis race, color, creed, gender or sexuality, ideology, religion, economic status, age or ethnic background. ABROADER expects that the intern should conduct themselves in a manner that is responsible, professional, respectful and supportive of the rights of others. In addition to the pre-departure information provided by ABROADER, participants are responsible for researching and understanding issues that relate to a respective host country’s law, as well as the safety, health, political, and cultural conditions of the host country.

When enrolling in a program abroad, your behaviors will not only reflect your home institution and ABROADER but also of your home country; therefore, it is important for the participant’s own well-being, as well as that of others, that they act responsibly at all times. Your conduct should reflect a long-term wish for ongoing hospitality between you, your home country, and Vietnam, and between ABROADER and host organizations in the future.

The following is expected of the intern when participating in our program. Violation of any of the following policies can lead to suspension of the program and, for in-person programs, compulsory return to your home country.

General Conduct

Overall, interns are also expected to, at all times, comply with all applicable laws and regulations in place during their program. All interns must ensure that their actions cannot be interpreted as being, in any way, in contravention of local laws and regulations.

Interns, in addition to other program responsibilities, are responsible for:

• Ensuring they are in sufficient good health to undertake the program.
• Acting in an appropriate and respectful manner towards the local people, fellow participants, and all staff in accordance with the customs, laws, regulations and ordinances of the destination country.
• Effectively communicating your interests, skills, limitations, and needs to ABROADER and host representatives.
• Understanding that all participants who attend ABROADER program acknowledge, have read, and will comply with the Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Policy, Child Protection Policy and Exploitation Modern Slavery Policy.

Violation of any of the following may result in disciplinary action:

• Criminal behavior or violation of local laws, including theft or vandalism
• Abusive language or behavior toward staff, hosts, or other participants
• Disorderly, indecent, or obscene conduct violent behavior
• Damage to program facilities, including accommodation and host organizations’ facilities
• Repeated intoxication
• Discrimination of any kind, including against race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ideology, religion or other
• Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment
• Falsification of documents or personal records submitted to ABROADER as part of the application or acceptance process
• Failure to disclose anything that may impact on program participation or successful completion of the program during the application or acceptance process
• Any inappropriate conduct, including but not limited to violation of any ABROADER policies

Drugs & Alcohol

The possession, sale, and/or consumption of illegal drugs are treated as serious crimes in Vietnam. Those who use illegal or illicit drugs are in violation of the law and the program’s regulations. ABROADER will not assist in legal matters caused by a participant’s use of alcohol or drugs. 

Irresponsible drinking, gambling, fighting, swearing, and similar unprofessional activities are strictly prohibited during the internship. ABROADER will not assist in legal matters caused by a participant’s use of alcohol or drugs or other crimes against Vietnam’s laws.

Sexual Misconduct

ABROADER prohibits all interns; from engaging in prostitution. Prostitution is illegal in Vietnam. Being is caught contributing to the prostitution industry in any way, they will receive punishment from the government of Vietnam. 

ABROADER strictly prohibits sexual misconduct, defined as nonconsensual physical contact of a sexual nature. It encompasses a broad range of behaviors, including acts using force, threat, intimidation, or advantage gained by the offended student’s mental or physical incapacity or impairment of which the offending student was aware or should have been aware. A charged student’s use of any drug, including alcohol, will be considered an exacerbating rather than a mitigating circumstance. Sexual misconduct of any kind represents socially irresponsible behavior and violates the rights of others. 

Interns must not engage in sexual harassment or conduct themselves in a way that could be construed as such, for example, by using inappropriate language or keeping or posting inappropriate materials in the workplace and/ or public areas.

Communication Policy

ABROADER seeks to provide timely, accurate, and helpful communications to the intern throughout the program and vice versa. The intern is asked to respond promptly and courteously to all proper requests for information for organizing purposes.

To ensure timely support, the Intern is asked to inform the Program Coordinator in any cases of emergency, including but not limited to illness, accidents, crimes, and disputes with locals, as soon as possible.

During and after the internship, interns give consent to ABROADER to use the Intern’s information and images in ABROADER’s marketing materials and provide end-of-internship evaluations and testimonials.

The intern must not use ABROADER and/ or Host Organizations’ identification, stationery, supplies, and equipment for personal or political matters. When communicating publicly on matters that involve ABROADER or host organizations, the intern must not presume to speak for ABROADER and host organizations on any topic, unless they are certain that the views they express are those of the organizations, and it is the organizations’ desire that such views be publicly disseminated.

When dealing with any program’s outsider, including public officials, the intern must take care not to compromise the integrity or damage the reputation of ABROADER and cooperative host organizations, or any outside individual, business, or government body.

Confidentiality

ABROADER understands that the intern may have to share some information related to his/her internship or his/her accommodation with external parties (e.g.: The intern’s University or School or the intern’s parents) so that the Internship placement or the Accommodation placement takes place in the best conditions. However, the intern cannot disclose the contact details of the Host Organizations or Partners to a third party whose consultation or consent is not mandatory for the smooth running of the placement process (e.g.: Friends, classmates, or publication on social media) and this, neither prior to, during, or after the internship or the stay in the accommodation. Otherwise, ABROADER reserves the right to cancel the intern’s internship or accommodation placement and take any legal action to preserve the interest of the company. 

Behavior Policy at Host Organizations

While interning at Host Organization, the intern will conduct herself/himself in a professional and ethical manner at all times. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Remain drug and alcohol-free, and avoid the use of controlled substances
• Familiarize with, and adhere to, relevant organizational arrangements and procedures
• Always maintain the utmost level of professionalism throughout the program. Maintain confidentiality of work-related projects and personnel details at all times
• Dress appropriately for the work setting. Follow the host organization’s dress code so that your appearance does not cause a disturbance, distract or interfere with the instructional program, or constitute a health or safety hazard
• Keep a positive and problem-solving attitude
• Be observant, watch how other people express and respond to situations; Make efforts to understand host organizations’ working culture and learn to adapt accordingly
• Be communicative and keep people informed in a useful and succinct way
• Listen and ask questions when you need help or clarification; avoid jumping to conclusion
• Be fair, considerate, honest, trustworthy, and cooperative when dealing with co-workers
• Seek feedback from your supervisors; accept constructive criticism and continuously strive to improve performances
• Changes in work schedule, supervision, or problems at your site must be reported to ABROADER Internship Program Coordinator
• If you feel victimized by a work-related incident, contact ABROADER Internship Program Coordinator immediately
• Interns are not permitted to take holidays during their internship without approval. Special requests for holidays must be approved by the intern’s supervisor at the Host Organization, and they must inform ABROADER.

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Responsibilities Policy at Host Organizations

• Comply with all laws and regulations set by the Government of Vietnam, ABROADER’s Internship Code of Conduct, and Host Organization’s work regulations
• Be fully responsible for any personal expenses and subsistence incurring out of ABROADER’s service coverage as described in Program Fee Coverage
• Take full responsibility for any body damage occurring in Vietnam including accident injuries and death. If those damages result from the Intern’s work activities assigned by the host organization or from the intent or gross culpability of the host organization’s personnel, Intern can declare to be sufficiently insured.
• Inform the Program Coordinator whenever you plan to travel outside of the host city and report to the Program Coordinator in case of emergency, including but not limited to illness, traffic collisions, robbery, etc.
• Inform the Program Coordinator in any case of emergency, including but not limited to illness, accidents, crimes, or disputes with locals.
• Complete ABROADER’s Internship Quality Survey and participate in the final internship evaluation meeting with ABROADER before the internship ends.
• Cooperate in providing potential testimonials and sharing experiences.

Accommodation policy

By participating in the program, interns agree to the policies, rules, and regulations of the accommodation provided by ABROADER. All housing disputes will be settled according to the housing policies. ABROADER is responsible for finding housing for participants; however, we cannot guarantee particular housing placement requests, options, room arrangements, or locations, as this is always subject to availability.

Interns are responsible for their rooms when staying either with local families or in an apartment, including their appliances, property, and shared space. When interns take their housemates, and neighbors seriously and regard them with respect, this attitude is usually returned in kind and makes the area a more pleasant place to live for everyone. 

In general, interns are required to comply with:

• Do not take a friend home without asking for permission from the host family 
• Do not share the house/room key with anyone except for the landlord (if staying in an apartment) and other family members (if taking homestay)
• Be respectful of other housemates and neighbors at all times, including avoiding making noise in the evening, not having a party without consent from the apartment manager or homestay family, and not staying out after curfew without telling homestay family if staying with a host family
• Take good care of properties, as well as appliances and furniture in accommodation
• Keep your place tidy, take out the trash and put them at designated places
• Participants will be responsible for damage to or loss of housing property.

In respect to local law and culture

As a visitor, either remote or in-person, you need to respect local cultures, traditions, and religious places. Insensitive behavior, such as taking photographs of people without their consent or failure to observe local customs, can cause offense. 

Interns are also required to behave respectfully and follow local regulations. Behavior such as: smoking on the bus or visiting sites, carrying dangerous items or substances, or damaging public properties is forbidden and can result in legal punishments.

For an in-person program, as you are in Vietnam as a participant in ABROADER’s program, you need to inform our Program Coordinator of any travel plans outside of your host city. You will need to get approval from our Program Coordinator, your host company supervisor, host family (if taking a homestay) prior to booking your travel.

Transportation

For in-person programs, for those who do not have a Vietnamese driving license, it is illegal to drive vehicles and motorbikes by yourself in Vietnam. If you are traveling as a passenger on a motorbike, you are obligated to wear helmets and remain careful and alert. Traffic in Vietnam is very different from that in your home country, so ABROADER advises all our interns not to drive any vehicles in Vietnam.

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Violation of any of the above-mentioned rules is likely to lead to the immediate suspension of the internship program, and immediate return to the home country for in-person programs.

By participating in the ABROADER program, Interns agree to the above-stated Internship Program Code of Conduct and will make every effort to abide by it during their program.

ABROADER’s Approval

Date Approved	September 29, 2023
Effective Date	September 29, 2023
Review Date	September 29, 2024
Target Stakeholders	ABROADER Staff, Partners, Participants, Local Buddies, Prospective Participants, and their families