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Faculty-in-Residence Frequently Asked Questions

Pepperdine faculty going to our international programs can learn more and explore frequently asked questions about going abroad here.

 What will be my main responsibilities as an IP Faculty-in-Residence?

IP Faculty-in-Residence will:

  • Faculty-in-Residence will work with IP staff to complete admissions-related tasks.
  • teach 2 courses per semester (1 for summer). In some cases, one of the courses may be taught in both fall and spring semesters.
  • interact frequently with the students on a casual basis.
  • actively promote Pepperdine's Christian Mission (i.e., provide spiritual guidance, facilitate house church, give talks at Convocation, and/or offer a Bible study/prayer group in the faculty apartment).
  • share with the Director and program staff the requirement that one responsible adult be 'on call' each night the program is in operation.
  • serve as a member of the disciplinary committee.
  • attend and participate in the Educational Field Trip (EFT)/International Study Tour (IST, only in Washington D.C.).

 What kind of travel and cultural experiences can I expect?

IP Faculty-in-Residence will:

  • have all expenses paid on the Educational Field Trip.
  • be able to exchange apartments with a Faculty-in-Residence in another program. Faculty-in-Residence may also stay overnight, without charge, in any room of an overseas IP facility on a space-available basis and with prior approval from the IP Director (some restrictions apply).
  • have 3 day weekends (European programs) or multiple long weekends (BA) to travel or experience the local culture.
  • be able to audit the language courses.

 I'm not sure I can afford it. What will be my compensation?

IP Faculty-in-Residence will:

  • be paid exactly the same rate as they would have been paid had they taught in Malibu during the year. (Summer Faculty-in-Residence are paid the same amount as if they were teaching summer school in Malibu.)
  • receive a fully furnished apartment. This includes a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, television, and a computer connected to the internet. All utilities will be paid by International Programs. A cell phone will also be provided.
  • receive the following travel compensation: reimbursement for visa fees required for their program location (as well as spouse and dependent children for academic year and regular summer programs); one roundtrip airfare from LAX to the host city for Faculty-in-Residence, spouse, and their minor dependents (for academic year and regular summer programs); the cost for up to two checked bags per person each way; and reimbursement for the cost of an airport shuttle or ride-hailing service to and from the faculty member's home and LAX. (Contact interim IP associate dean Fiona Stewart, fiona.stewart@pepperdine.edu, for more details about the faculty-in-residence and dependent flight policy.)
  • be able to eat at all of the group meals at no cost.

Many Faculty-in-Residence choose to rent out their home while abroad which also provides for added income. There is also a tax exemption for citizens that are employed abroad for a certain amount of time. Many faculty have qualified for this tax rule and found that the exemption is significant. Please consult with a tax advisor for details.

 I have dependent children. Do the programs accommodate children? Can they go to school?

Most of the faculty apartments are able to comfortably accommodate 1-2 children. Some of the apartments can accommodate 3 children. Dependent children will also be able to participate on the Educational Field Trips and local excursions free of charge. They also will be able to eat at all of the group meals. Pepperdine students appreciate having children in the home, and they add a lot to the program dynamics.

Overseas program staff can give faculty information regarding schooling opportunities in the area. Children have attended a local school in almost all of our programs. The children become proficient in the language, and many faculty choose to continue the child's study of the language once they return to the U.S. Some spouses choose to home school their children abroad, integrating into the curriculum local museum visits and other educational opportunities unique to being abroad. Please note that families are not allowed to homeschool their children in Germany. If you are planning on bringing children with you overseas, please contact the Program Director to inquire about any education policies in that country.

 Further questions?

If you have further questions, please contact Fiona Stewart, interim IP associate dean, at fiona.stewart@pepperdine.edu.