Exemptions From the Cross-Cultural Requirement
 

The Global Perspectives committee recognizes that some students who have had significant cross-cultural life experiences prior to coming to Lee may qualify for exemption from the requirement.

The school has set clear guidelines for students who may be exempted from the cross-cultural requirement. These guidelines have been approved by external accreditation agencies and are clearly stated in our policies. Granting students academic course credit for experiences that do not fall within the stated parameters would be both illegal and unethical.

The Global Perspectives Committee considers the following experiences to be a justification for exemption from the cross-cultural requirement

• Extensive overseas military service tours, at least 6 months in duration

• Extensive missions work, at least 6 months in duration

• Being raised or living in a foreign country as a young adult for at least 24 months

• Significant academic study in a foreign college/university

• Having spent a minimum of one year as a foreign exchange student during high school

Not all cross-cultural experiences involve significant cultural learning. For example, bi-racial parentage or marriage, multiethnic adoption, vacations, and short mission trips that have little academic intent will not be considered.

Students who think they might be eligible for exemption must first submit an Application for Exemption along with a 2-3 page typed detailed explanation of their previous cross-cultural experience to the Global Perspectives Office by the deadlines as specified below.

Requests for exemption are considered on an individual basis and will be judged according to the following criteria:

• Duration of the cross-cultural experience

• Age at the time of the experience

• Language proficiency

• Depth of knowledge of the culture gained from the experience

• Purpose and nature of interaction in the host country, whether or not it was designed for an academic purpose

• Quality and comprehensiveness of the written proposal for exemption.