advice on recommendation

[rebeccavich]

I'm writing a recommendation letter for a student who's both very talented and a stellar human being. The recommendation is for a study-abroad program, and one of the things they'd like me to address is the student's maturity and likelihood of unproblematic adaptation to living abroad. It so happens that this particular student was recently (a

Comments

[ananda_ren]

Perhaps if you keep it vague? Rather than talking about the student's medical situation, simply say that the student recently faced significant challenges with potentially serious consequences and responded in the manner your described. It allows you to cite your examples but without opening up the problem of physical soundness. If there's an interview and they ask about it, the student can decline to discuss the circumstances while still elaborating on what was learned from it.

[spin1978]

I agree that asking the student is a good idea. If you have a faculty member in your department you feel comfortable speaking with, you may want to run it by them (without mentioning names of course), especially if they have experience with sending students to this study abroad program. You may also want to check with your university ombuds office if they have any suggestions/guidelines. (I peaked at your userinfo - I've heard good and so-so things about your school's ombuds office, as I'm also a student there

[sailrox]

Definitely ask them first. There are quite a few study abroad programs that WILL decline a student if there's even a chance that they will have medical issues abroad (usually it has to do with liability)

As a general rule, if the program requires that the student submit a doctor's report or clean bill of health with their paperwork, they will probably decline a student with lingering health effects from an accident.

(Several years of work abroad and study abroad programs have taught me some hard lessons)

If the student gives the okay, I would just say there was an accident, and then emphasize all the amazing qualities you saw shine through afterwards. I would not, under virtually any circumstance, mention that there were lingering health effects.

[elricmelnibone]

I would avoid addressing the medical problem at all, if only for the sake of the student's privacy. That fact that you are aware of the student's current medical issues does not mean that you are at liberty to share them.

You could speak to the student's ability to overcome personal and professional hardships in a mature and responsible manner. But I think medical issues are best left to the student.

[melebeth]

I agree, completely, with this post. It avoids any ethical issues with medical disclosure while still emphasizing the important fact - namely that the student is mature and responsible in the face of difficult times.

[helixaspersa]

With due permission obtained, and if the student is not made uncomfortable by the idea, I'd keep it very short and non-specific: 'In particular, X displayed unusual maturity and strength of character when facing some challenging personal circumstances earlier this year. His/her dedication and determination impressed us all.' Something like that. (I speak here as someone who does have a chronic health problem about which I am rather private; occasionally throughout my life it has been mentioned by teachers in reports or references that I have afterwards read. In general, even though I am so private about it, I find this touching and encouraging *provided* the teacher/referee in question genuinely knows me very well. From someone I know less well I find it intrusive and often patronising, even when it is clearly meant well.)