EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR MATUL STUDENTS
Successful completion of the MATUL degree requires, not only satisfaction of strictly academic tasks (receiving instruction, discussing subject content, and writing papers), but also the ability to adapt to new and difficult physical and socio-cultural habitats. The following expectations and requirements must be met for a student to successfully participate in the MATUL program.
EXPECTATIONS OF MATUL STUDENTS
All students must demonstrate some leadership giftedness and ability.
Students are responsible for all costs pertaining to travel, visas, books, language school and language helper, city mentors, accommodation, and meals.
Students must be connected with a church and/or mission to provide support and guidance before, during, and after the MATUL program.
It is the student’s responsibility to establish mentorships with local mentors. Students are encouraged to make a financial contribution of $50 to their city mentor each semester.
Students are expected to demonstrate a high-intermediate level of language ability in the language of the community they choose to engage with.
For courses with a service learning component, students are responsible for identifying organizations with which they can complete all service learning hours, projects, and evaluations.
Students are required to complete an integrated final community research project which is judged on communication both in the oral urban poor culture and in academic written formats.
Students should take responsibility for their readiness to engage in a demanding cross-cultural program. The missionary (cross-cultural) orientation literature underscores the need to assess:
a. Intercultural competence (e.g. the ability to hold opposing cultural views without having to resolve them).
b. High coping capacity of multiple stress situations.
c. No extreme psycho-pathological tendencies (e.g. addictions, narcissism, paranoia, unmanageable phobias).
d. Medical and physical fitness.
REQUIRED CAPABILITIES FOR MATUL STUDENTS
The following lists the capabilities required before acceptance into the program:
Technological
Ability to join Zoom calls for virtual classes.
Ability to open and download PDFs.
Ability to print, scan, and submit documents electronically.
Physical
Strength to traverse various terrain having uneven surfaces and to access environments that may be several levels up or down with or without support.
Stamina to walk several miles between locations on a daily basis with limited or no vehicle transportation.
Agility to perform physical tasks such as stooping, sitting, or sleeping and to perform bodily functions in restricted spaces.
Health to resist illness or infection due to limited or poor sanitation as well as extremes in air quality and temperature.
Fine and gross motor skill sufficient to complete tasks that involve eye-hand coordination (e.g., using computer devices, writing, or handling money).
Visual clarity to function safely in crowded and busy environments that at times may have limited or low lighting.
Hearing ability sufficient to distinguish words and localize sounds coming from public areas, vehicles and/or people within or not within visual sight.
Verbal competence in correct and clear elocution of words for exchange of information, follow through on tasks, or for dialog with others.
High Cross-cultural Ability (for those crossing cultures)
Mental adaptability sufficient to accept differing cultural values, demonstrate mature social skills, reflect positive response to change and/or correction, and positive handling of conflict without overt emotional display, severe withdrawal, or aggression.
Students should take responsibility for their readiness to engage in a demanding cross-cultural program. The missionary (cross-cultural) orientation literature underscores the need for both students and program leadership to assess:
Intercultural competence (e.g. the ability to hold opposing cultural views without having to resolve them).
High coping capacity of multiple stress situations.
No extreme psycho-pathological tendencies (e.g. addictions, narcissism, paranoia, unmanageable phobias, etc.).
Medical and physical fitness.
REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR MATUL STUDENTS
To successfully complete the MATUL degree, all students are required to have access to specific technology and materials. Students are responsible to acquire and maintain the following materials.
Laptop or tablet.
Computer backup drive.
Reliable Internet access for weekly 2-hour Zoom calls and access to course materials.
Headphone set with a built-in microphone.
Desk or designated workspace.
Microsoft Office (specifically Word and Excel).
Voice recorder (or phone) for interviews and language learning.