Commitment to Forum on Education Abroad Standards
Last updated October14th, 2025
Istmo Retreat and Adventures is a proud member of The Forum on Education Abroad, the standards-setting organization for the field of education abroad. Forum membership demonstrates our commitment to the highest ethical practices and standards of good practice in international education.
The Forum's Standards of Good Practice serve as our operational framework, ensuring that every program we design and deliver prioritizes student safety, academic quality, ethical community engagement, and institutional partnership.
What is The Forum on Education Abroad?
The Forum on Education Abroad is a U.S.-based membership association recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission as the Standards Development Organization for the field of education abroad. The Forum develops and maintains the only comprehensive standards for education abroad programming, serving as the field's primary resource for quality assurance and professional development.
Educational institutions, program providers, and international partners worldwide rely on Forum standards to:
- Ensure student health, safety, and well-being
- Maintain academic quality and learning outcomes
- Uphold ethical practices in international education
- Foster equitable access and inclusive programming
Istmo's Alignment with Forum Standards
As a Forum member, Istmo adheres to all Standards of Good Practice across the following key areas:
1. Mission and Goals
The Standard: Programs prioritize educational objectives and maintain transparency in communicating goals and learning outcomes.
How Istmo Complies:
- Our mission centers transformative education combining academic rigor, cultural immersion, and community partnership
- We clearly communicate program goals, objectives, and learning outcomes to faculty and institutions before programs begin
- We regularly evaluate program effectiveness and apply findings to strengthen future offerings
- All marketing and promotional materials accurately reflect program experiences
2. Collaboration and Transparency
The Standard: Partnerships are built on equity, respect, and shared benefit with clear written agreements.
How Istmo Complies:
- We establish written agreements with all partner institutions outlining goals, responsibilities, health/safety protocols, and academic expectations
- Our partnerships are built on mutual respect and long-term relationship building, not transactional arrangements
- We provide complete transparency regarding costs, logistics, and program limitations
- Regular communication and ongoing review ensure alignment throughout the partnership
3. Ethics
The Standard: Programs adhere to ethical principles in all aspects of program delivery and community engagement.
How Istmo Complies:
- We maintain a comprehensive Code of Ethics governing all educational programs
- Our staff are trained in ethical conduct, cultural sensitivity, and responsible engagement with host communities
- All activities are conducted with respect for local communities, minimizing cultural and environmental disruption
- We prioritize authentic, reciprocal relationships over extractive or performative tourism
4. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Standard: Programs support equitable access and incorporate diverse perspectives in design and delivery.
How Istmo Complies:
- Our policies ensure inclusive access for students of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and identities
- Programs are intentionally designed to incorporate diverse perspectives and cross-cultural interaction
- We partner with diverse local stakeholders and employ inclusive practices
- We monitor outcomes to ensure equity across participant demographics and adjust programming accordingly
- Accommodations available for participants with disabilities or special needs
5. Administration
The Standard: Clear policies, trained personnel, comprehensive student support, and risk management protocols are maintained.
How Istmo Complies:
- We maintain transparent policies governing program design, student conduct, safety, risk management, academic affairs, and emergency response
- Our staff (Sean Davis, M.Ed. and Ayesha Davis, M.S. Environmental Engineering) bring 40+ years combined experience in education and international development
- Comprehensive pre-departure materials, on-site support, and post-program resources provided
- Risk assessments conducted for all activities with appropriate safety protocols implemented
6. Financial and Human Resources
The Standard: Programs are adequately funded and staffed to ensure safety, quality, and sustainability.
How Istmo Complies:
- Each program is appropriately funded and staffed to ensure safety, academic quality, and comprehensive student support
- Fair, ethical compensation for all staff and local partners
- Ongoing professional development and training for personnel (health/safety, cultural competence, emergency response)
- Facilities are safe, well-maintained, and appropriate for educational programming
- Financial transparency provided to institutional partners
7. Student Learning and Development
The Standard: Programs support student learning before, during, and after the experience with clear learning outcomes.
How Istmo Complies:
Before the Program
- Pre-departure guidance on academic expectations, cross-cultural preparation, health/safety orientation, and logistical planning
- Program costs and financial policies fully disclosed in writing
- Cultural, linguistic, environmental, and social context preparation provided
During the Program
- Faculty and Istmo staff support student engagement in activities aligned with program goals
- Structured reflection on cultural, environmental, and ethical dimensions of experiences
- Comprehensive support systems for health, safety, intercultural challenges, and personal concerns
- Daily check-ins with faculty leaders to address emerging needs
After the Program
- Opportunities for reflection and integration of learning
- Resources to support continued application of skills and knowledge gained
- Alumni engagement opportunities to sustain global awareness
Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Forum standards are not static checkboxes—they represent an ongoing commitment to excellence. Istmo:
- Reviews and updates our policies annually to reflect evolving best practices
- Participates in Forum professional development opportunities
- Seeks feedback from faculty partners, students, and community stakeholders
- Implements improvements based on program evaluations and lessons learned
- Stays current with developments in international education standards and practices
Why Forum Standards Matter for Your Institution
When you partner with a Forum member organization like Istmo, you gain:
✅ Risk Mitigation - Comprehensive protocols reduce institutional liability
✅ Quality Assurance - Standards ensure consistent, high-quality programming
✅ Accreditation Support - Forum alignment supports institutional accreditation requirements
✅ Ethical Confidence - Clear ethical framework protects students and communities
✅ Professional Partnership - Work with an organization committed to best practices
Questions About Our Standards Compliance?
We welcome questions about how Istmo meets Forum standards or specific institutional requirements.
Contact:
Sean Davis, M.Ed. - Program Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +507 6387-9855
Learn More About The Forum:
Visit forumea.org to explore the complete Standards of Good Practice and the Forum's resources for education abroad.