These guidelines for college and university linkages abroad are intended primarily to help institutions not already extensively involved with institutions in other countries to develop formal academic contacts and agreements. The guidelines are designed to help start the process, facilitate follow through, and identify difficulties that can be avoided. Three types of linkage are distinguished : (1) friendship agreements without financial obligations; (2) program-specific links that may or may not include financial obligations; and (3) institutional linkages that commit the institution to broad-based programs and/or exchanges. The first chapter discusses basic planning considerations concerning administrative structure, leadership, funding, choice of region and country, and agreement type. The second chapter offers specific procedures for developing a linkage including: appraising institutional capacity; choosing a partner abroad; initiating formal contacts, negotiating, and constructing the formal agreement. Chapter 3 looks at other issues: finances; language; program quality comparisons; local laws and customs; announcing the program; and pre-departure preparation. Sample agreements for each linkage type, a list of useful publications, and lists of U.S. agencies and associations, U.S. government resources, and bi-national educational foundations and commissions are appended. (MSE)