GO FOR EUROPE FAQ. You are thinking about spending your summer in Europe? Here are some useful information.

Transcription

1 GO FOR EUROPE FAQ You are thinking about spending your summer in Europe? Here are some useful information. How many people will take part in the Go For Europe Program? Generally there are between 25 and 40 participants, in addition to the Program Coordinator and graduate assistant(s). How do I sign up? If you attend one of the EM Normandie's partner Universities, you should contact your International Coordinator at home institution. If you attend a university that is not affiliated with EM Normandie then you should contact Ms Séverine GROULT, Program Coordinator: sgroult@em-normandie.fr See your local International Office for refund and cancellation policies. There is a March 15 th deadline for joining the program. However, latecomers may be accepted by negotiation on a first come first served basis. Who are the Program Directors? The Go For Europe Program is organized by Normandy Business School (EM Normandie) and hosted by 4 other European Business Schools: In Belgium In Spain In Poland In Denmark The Program Director is Mr. Alain OUVRIEU, Director of International Development at EM Normandie. What happens if I change my mind and cancel? If you change your mind and cancel for any reason (including a personal emergency), you must inform your advisor who will inform Normandy Business School. Please contact your advisor for cancellation policy. You can avoid losing your flight tickets in the case of an emergency by taking out a cancellation insurance policy to cover you in case any emergency arises and you have to cancel. Most travel agents can help you with such a policy. Are there any sources of financial aid available to help me pay for the program? The program is run on a not-for-profit basis, so the host schools are unable to offer any other financial assistance. To find out if your university offers any financial aid you should contact your International Office.

2 Can I receive academic credits for the Program? Yes. Depending on the selected package(s) and upon your university, you can receive between 3 and 8 US credits for the program. To receive credits you are required to meet the evaluation criteria set for the program and validation of these credits is at the discretion of your home university. The latter will require you register with them for these credits beforehand. I need the detailed course content for the program, where can I find it? If you or your Coordinator have any questions or special requests regarding the syllabus or the evaluation, please contact the Program Coordinator. Do I have to sign up for credit in order to take part? No - although most participants attend the program with the aim of gaining credits to be used in current or future courses. However, even if you do not want credits, you are still required to participate fully. This means attending all the lectures and field trips as well as submitting work for evaluation. Is credit transferable back to my school / university? The Go For Europe Program has been designed in collaboration with EM NORMANDIE's partners. If your university is a partner of the EM Normandie, then there is no problem in having credits transferred. If you attend a university or business school which is not an EM Normandie partner, you will need to clarify with your university prior to signing up whether they are willing to transfer credits from the program. You should also check the financial implications of the transfer facility offered to you by your university. What work do I have to do to receive credits? While we encourage participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to see the sights in each of the countries we visit, it should be clear that this is an academic course, not a vacation. In other words, you will have to work for your credits! It is clearly not enough to attend lectures - you are expected to participate fully in all pre and post session work. The core modules also have an evaluation component. This may take the form of a paper, a case study and/ or presentation and may be done on an individual or group basis. Do I have to be a full-time student to join the program? No. In fact many students who join the program study part-time or are students who cannot take a full semester/year abroad. It will, however, be difficult to continue to work and attend the program even though you will have access to the Internet in each country you visit. You may also attend the course if you have already gained your degree and are not currently studying. However, you should note that all participants are expected to attend all classes and field trips and submit work for evaluation. Is the Program open to both undergraduates and graduates? Traditionally participants are graduates. However, undergraduates have been very successful in the program, so there is no set rule. All candidates are evaluated on the basis of their

3 academic standing and background & motivation since this program is intensive and focuses on business in Europe. Do I have to be studying business to take part in the Program? No. Anyone with an interest in business issues and Europe can attend. However, you must agree to the conditions of the Program. This means you must attend all the classes and field trips and complete all the assignments just as if you were seeking credits. Do any European students take part in the Program? For obvious reasons few European students join the program. Those who do are usually registered on an MBA in the US and have been living there for some time. However, Europe is composed of 28 countries and it is very likely the student concerned has never visited any one of the country we will focus on. In addition, a staff member of EM Normandie and/or the hosted institutions will join you during the trip. What type of accommodation can I expect? The course is run on a not-for-profit basis and is relatively low cost. Consequently, the accommodation is modest - student residences and hotels. A great deal of time and effort is spent trying to find accommodation that is comfortable and conveniently located both for attending classes and sightseeing. Please note that the standards in each country can be different so will be the student residences and hotels. All accommodation is on a double-room sharing basis unless you pay a supplement to secure a single room please refer to your International Coordinator at home institution. We cannot guarantee availability of single rooms (see Application Form for more details). When do I have to register by? A program such as this requires a lot of planning. Therefore, in order to ensure we can get the best accommodation and organize field trips best suited to the experience and interests of the group, we require participants to enroll by March 15 th. However, most students register in February to secure a place. Late applications may be accepted depending on availability of rooms and number of applicants. What age are students taking part in the Program? There is no ideal age. The youngest students have been in their 20s, the oldest in their late 50s. What we have found is that after the first few days age becomes irrelevant as everyone is learning and working together, pretty much as would happen in any firm. The fact this takes place in summer does help an informal and relaxed atmosphere, a point to remember when packing. How much money do I need to bring? Past students estimate that they have spent from US $ 750 (2-week basis) US $ 3,750 (5-week basis) on additional food (for meals not included in the program), sightseeing, gifts and general necessities (laundry, phone cards etc.). Wherever you go you will have access to the tips of local students who can recommend the best and the cheapest places to eat and shop, so it's really up to you how much you spend. To sum up, there will be a lot of temptation

4 to spend money. How much you actually spend will depend on your ability to resist temptation! How should I take my money? We recommend a credit or ATM card. There are ATMs throughout Europe and most shops and restaurants accept credit cards. Visa cards or Master cards are the most widely accepted. American Express cards tend to be up-market and less readily accepted. Most cash dispensers (ATM) will ask you which language you would like your instructions in. You may also use traveller's cheques or cash but you generally get a less favorable exchange rate when you convert these into the local currency. The uro is the official currency for 19 of the 28 countries in the European Union. What should I take? As little as possible! You will be travelling quite a lot - mostly by private bus and flight*, so the less baggage you bring with you, the easier your life will be. The general rule is that you can bring ONE suitcase (but you should be able to carry it alone and it is very unfair to expect other (male) participants to lift it for you!) and a carry-on bag or backpack small enough to fit under your seat or overhead bins on a bus / an aircraft. You will certainly buy some gifts; be sure you will have enough space in your luggage. Any overweight* will be at your own expense. *Indications for size & weight limit regarding checked baggage and carry-on bag will be specified on the detailed schedule of the program. Please refer to it. Here are some suggestions from previous participants about what you will need: Choose washable, wrinkle-resistant items if possible. There will be very few times when you will need to wear more formal clothes. Smart pants with a jacket or smart shirt are recommended as suits are more difficult to pack and carry. Most of the time you will be wearing jeans, T-shirts - generally more casual clothes. There are some occasions on which, while casual, it will not be appropriate for you to wear shorts so you will need to bring: Jeans or pants. Bathers (participants have got to use them every year! the sea temperature will be around 18 centigrade in Normandy but decently warmer in Barcelona) Comfortable shoes (sightseeing generally means lots of walking. Bring shoes that are comfortable in both hot and cooler weather). A sweater (jumper) is essential (even warm days turn into cool nights in Europe). Rain jacket and/or umbrella (it is almost certain to rain at some point in the program). Bring sufficient medication to cover the 4 weeks or the appropriate prescriptions.

5 Do I need to obtain a passport and visa(s)? Everyone will need a passport (valid until you go back to your country) to travel to and in Europe. You should ask your travel agent when booking your flight what visas you need and how to obtain them as this will differ from country to country. You will be travelling within the "Schengen agreement area" so you MUST require a Visa that would enable you to travel with the Schengen Area. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the necessary visa before you arrive. Should you have any trouble getting a visa or are unsure about how they work, then contact the Program Coordinator. An individual invitation can be sent to you immediately upon request to help in obtaining the visa. However, an invitation is generally not necessary for US or Australian citizens. What will the weather be like? Belgium and France are countries with a temperate climate. This means you should expect anything from rain and drizzle (14-18 C) to a heat-wave, which in Europe means C, so you need to come prepared for every situation. Spain is a different matter - prepare for a rather warm, if not hot, climate. Poland s climate is temperate with warm (sometimes very hot) summers. Rain falls throughout the year. Finally, Denmark has a mild and temperate climate with mild summers (average temperature high during the day is around 20 Celsius with a night time low of around 12 Celsius). Rain can be expected all year round. Note: very few places that you go to will have air conditioning, so you need to bear this in mind when selecting the type of clothing to bring with you. Remember it is better to have several layers of light clothing so that you can adapt to conditions inside and outside! What happens if I get sick? It is essential that you have healthcare insurance in order to participate in the Program. Before you leave for Europe you will be asked to forward all your insurance information to our office in Caen. We also recommend that if you have any special healthcare needs, you bring enough medication with you to last the 2-5 weeks. If this is not possible, then bring the prescription(s). Most European pharmacists will give the European equivalent for your usual prescription. Please note that bringing Melatonine into France is forbidden. Check with your travel agent for other drugs that cannot be brought into Europe. If you do get sick, the countries we visit have good healthcare systems but you will need to have your insurance details with you at all times. The Program Coordinator and/or the graduate assistant(s) will be with the group or contactable at all times in case of an emergency and will also have the details of your insurance policy. What kinds of food can I expect? The simplest answer to this is: all kinds. However some foods will be more expensive than others. Vegetarians will find it more difficult but not impossible to eat out. The student residences and hotels you stay at are located close to supermarkets and restaurants.

6 In general, helpings in restaurants are smaller (but tastier?) than you may be accustomed to. Europeans put great value on the time spent dining. A meal in a restaurant will last longer and there will be long gaps between courses. If you are in a hurry you need to indicate this upfront but even so, non-europeans may find eating out a slow process. What insurance should I have? You must have adequate health insurance cover in order to participate in the Program. In addition, we recommend that you take out insurance to cover you and your baggage prior to and during the trip. Insurance policies which cover you against loss of baggage, trip cancellation, emergency return home and health and accident-related costs can be purchased from most travel agents. Please note that if you have to withdraw from the Program at the last minute, speak with your International Office about their cancellation and refund policies. We generally recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance to cover yourself against any unforeseen circumstances. Typical questions to ask your insurance company: If I'm run over by a bus, what should I do? If I'm in hospital, who pays for any bills and my family's airfare? etc. How and where will I meet up with the group? Participants will be met in Brussels at the hotel by the Program Coordinator and graduate assistant(s). You will have to ensure the transfer from the Brussels airport to the hotel on your own. The hotel in Brussels has a courtesy van (check airport pick up rates on their site). There will be a buffet organized to welcome participants which everyone is recommended to attend. Please note if you want to arrive earlier, you need to make your own arrangements with the hotel. If you wish to stay on after the program (depending on the selected package(s): after Paris France, Cracow Poland or Kolding Denmark), again you need to make your own arrangement. Finally, once the program of the selected package(s) is ended, you will have to ensure your transfer to the airport/train station to take your flight back home or continue your private travel through the EU. How can friends and family contact me while I'm away? Before you leave for Europe you will be sent the final itinerary containing details of the student residences and hotels at which you will be staying over the 2-5 weeks and where friends and family can reach you. You can purchase international phone cards before you leave for Europe or once you arrive. You should take the time to look for the best offer as it can be expensive calling from Europe! Most phones have instructions in several languages and generally international operators can speak English. Avoid using your credit card in some public phones as the charge can be horrendous. The same applies to hotel extensions and there are no free of charge local calls in Europe.

7 If you wish to bring a mobile phone or purchase one in Europe, please note that you are required to turn these off during all classes and field trips. If you are expecting an urgent call, then you can leave the phone with the graduate assistant(s) or Program Coordinator who will come and get you when the call comes. In addition, you will be given the Program's cellular phone number, which can be reached in an emergency on a 24hr basis. Do I have to attend the full 2/4/5* weeks? *duration depending on selected package(s) Yes all the lectures, evaluations and activities are compulsory. Please note that once you ll be registered on the package(s) of your choice, no change can be done. If I'm sick during the program, how will this affect my credits? If you are sick during the program and cannot attend a session or complete an evaluation component, an individual assignment will be arranged in consultation with the professor for the module and the Academic Director. Do I need to read any background information before coming? Yes, and you will get more out of the Program if you do! Simply, the more you know before you come, the more you will get out of the classes. Most of you will have long flights to Europe; we recommend you take advantage of this time to read! In addition, you will be visiting countries with rich histories and different cultures. Any reading you do on these places will help you to best use the time you'll have to "see the sights". Do I need to bring a portable computer? Yes, it is highly recommended for your personal internet connections and individual/group works. Additional useful information Remember, however, that voltage is 240 volts AC in Europe and that you will need an adaptor as plugs differ from one country to the next. Above all, it is highly recommended to insure any valuable equipment you may wish to bring with you. Finally, please remember that an adaptor is not a converter and that your hair dryer will roast if connected directly to 240 volts!! Portable computer do not have this problem as their charging system adapts automatically to whatever voltage is fed in. See you soon in Europe