TABLE OF CONTENTS. Why study in London? 1 AIFS and your home institution 1 Academic program 1. Study Center 2. Accommodations 2.

Transcription

1 LONDON

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Why study in London? 1 AIFS and your home institution 1 Academic program 1 British Life and Culture Course 2 Study Center 2 London Study Center 2 Libraries 2 AIFS Student Center 2 Accommodations 2 Homestays 2 Shared apartments/studios 3 Housing allocation 3 Student life 3 London travel pass 3 Transportation 3 Insurance 4 Optional insurance upgrades 4 24-hour emergency travel assistance 4 Optional Tours 4 Financial Information 4 Fees 4 Extra spending money 4 AIFS Refund Policy 5 Damage deposit 5 Financial Aid 6 Aid applicant payments 6 Financial aid applicant refunds 6 Financial aid applicant agreement 6 Planning 6 Passports 6 Visas 6 Immunizations/health 6 Highlights of AIFS Program 7 WHY STUDY IN LONDON? London is an exciting city in which to live and study. Still one of the world s most beautiful capitals, it is rich in art, music, theater and literary history. It is the seat of British government and the world s longest surviving monarchy. More than 60 theaters provide unrivaled opportunities for students to experience live, professional productions. Four major symphony orchestras and two opera companies reside in London. For followers of contemporary music, London offers an unparalleled range of live rock and ethnic music performances. A wide variety of museums and galleries provide opportunities to view many of the world s artistic masterpieces. It is no surprise students want to come to London. The University of London alone has more than 125,000 students, and many more are enrolled at other universities, colleges and specialized schools. Students bring a more global perspective to their home campuses after experiencing the London study program. AIFS AND YOUR HOME INSTITUTION The American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) was founded in 1964 to provide opportunities for students and faculty to study and travel abroad. Since that time more than 1.2 million have participated in AIFS programs. The London study program described in this brochure is offered under the auspices of the home college or university and other participating institutions in partnership with the AIFS College Division. The originating college or university is entirely responsible for the academic part of the program. AIFS works closely with the home institution to make necessary support arrangements. This support includes classroom facilities, housing, advising, special cultural and social events, and faculty support services. With AIFS coordinating these logistical and personnel services, students and faculty are free to pursue academic endeavors without concern for the complex and time-consuming practical arrangements a successful study program demands. ACADEMIC PROGRAM Courses are taught by faculty from the home campus or other partnership campuses and carry academic credit from their school. Courses are specially selected to maximize the benefits of being in London. They vary according to the college program but typically might include art, architecture, history, literature, music, political and social sciences, theater, and on certain programs, business. Students will carry a full-time academic work load. Please note that students will take classes with fellow Americans on their program and will NOT be in classes with British students. 1

3 British Life and Culture course Most programs include a lecture series on British Life and Culture coordinated by AIFS using local academics. These interdisciplinary lectures are planned to give students a broad background to the meaning of British culture and civilization. Presentations by local guest lecturers take a social, historical and cultural approach to contemporary British society and examine traditions and institutions to help understand the British way of life. Related field trips (at no additional cost) go to places such as the Museum of London, National and Tate Galleries, Shakespeare s Globe Theatre and Houses of Parliament. Supporting discussion seminars are often included. STUDY CENTER London Study Center The London Study Center is located at the University of London Union (ULU) in Bloomsbury. It is very much a university area, with the main buildings of the University of London at its center. Bloomsbury also provides a wealth of interesting shops on its side streets as well as numerous restaurants. The British Museum is close at hand as are many of the colleges of the University of London. Within easy walking distance are Oxford Street, one of London s main shopping areas, and Soho, Covent Garden and the West End, London s evening entertainment sector. The Union building on Malet Street is comprised of five floors of University students facilities for many forms of recreation and activity. ULU is a meeting place and facility for students from all University of London colleges. Services provided include the Union cafeteria, the Union bar, a student travel agency, a printing and stationery shop, a cell phone store and Energy Base, ULU s health complex and swimming pool. ULU is also headquarters to more than 45 university societies (most of which AIFS students are eligible to join). These include cultural, political, religious and performing societies along with numerous recreational sports clubs. The London study program uses classrooms and faculty offices in the ULU building and neighboring facilities as required. Libraries AIFS can arrange for students to gain free access to public libraries, making thousands of books, periodicals and archived materials available. Members can check out books, and study space is available. Membership of the University of London Library is included in the program fee of some participating schools (please check your program application). AIFS Student Center AIFS maintains a full-time professional student services staff to provide cultural information and general assistance while in London. The AIFS student center is at Dilke House, directly opposite the University of London Union. Easily reached by underground (subway) from all student residences, it is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It houses a limited number of computers for student use and has Wi-Fi access. The lab is open during the student center opening hours, with extended hours during busy periods. Students can receive mail, faxes or phone calls at the center and can consult AIFS staff for advice on a wide range of issues. studentinfo@aifs.co.uk Phone: Fax Address: AIFS Student Center, Dilke House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7JN For emergencies AIFS provides a 24-hour telephone service, whereby a duty officer can be reached for assistance. ACCOMMODATIONS Students are offered the option of living in a shared homestay or, for a supplement, in a shared apartment with kitchenette. Homestays Students selecting the homestay option will be placed with another AIFS student in a residential area of London within minutes commuting distance of the Study Center. It should be noted that these placements are not necessarily with families often single parents or single people act as hosts. Typical accommodations are in a twin-bedded room with other facilities shared with the host. This arrangement offers considerable contact with local people while maintaining independence. Students have their own keys and can use the kitchen at mutually convenient times. Students will be expected to adapt to the hosts and their way of life and show consideration. Breakfasts are provided five days a week. 2

4 Shared apartments/studios Students selecting this option normally will be housed in the Kensington or Marylebone areas, minutes by underground from the Study Center. Sharing the neighborhoods are Kensington Palace and the magnificent Hyde Park and Regent s Park. Royal Albert Hall, the Albert Memorial and the Kensington High Street shopping district are nearby. Apartments vary in layout and may consist of a lounge, several shared bedrooms (twins and/or triples, some with bunk beds) and a shared kitchen and bathroom. AIFS provides a resident staff member in some buildings. Housing allocation Accommodations in London are comfortable but not luxurious, and students should not expect the standards of housing they have in the United States. It is impossible to obtain standardized accommodations, and it should be understood that apartments and studios differ in respect to size of rooms, decor, proximity to other facilities such as the underground or shops, and type of amenities provided such as kitchenettes or television. Housing assignments are given upon arrival. The responsibility of the AIFS Program Coordinator, decisions are final. Decisions are based largely on information received on the AIFS application. Preferences can be indicated but may not be accommodated. It is important to provide all relevant information concerning age, medical conditions, housing preference and roommates on the application. STUDENT LIFE The AIFS staff keeps students informed about various cultural and social events in London and helps students make individual plans that complement academic interests. AIFS staff also organizes a cultural program of evening theater events and day-long excursions to places of interest outside London. Some participating schools include these events as part of the program fee, but most do not. The cultural program may be an optional package, or the program fee may include an amount which goes towards subsidizing events with an additional fee payable in London for each activity chosen. Check your program application for details. As described on page 2, AIFS provides membership of the University of London Union, which gives access to student clubs and societies and (at a reasonable additional cost) to sports facilities including a swimming pool, health spa, gym and squash courts. London travel pass AIFS provides students on most programs with a pass for the London local transport system (subway and bus) for the duration of the program. The pass allows students unlimited travel in central London. It is useful for traveling to class as well as to other areas in London. Students making their own living arrangements get a London travel pass valid only for zones 1 and 2. TRANSPORTATION Participants may purchase the AIFS Transportation Package which includes a round-trip airline ticket for flights with the AIFS group, a guarantee of no increase in fare, security charges, U.S. Customs and Immigration fees, ground transfers to and from the overseas campus, airport staffing and welcoming, group travel arrangements where possible, AIFS handling and administration and a 24-hour emergency duty officer in the U.S. It does not include mandatory U.S. government and airline-imposed departure taxes, fees and fuel surcharges for which students will be billed separately. Airline tickets are non-refundable, non-endorsable, non-changeable and subject to penalty fees if canceled or lost. Participants who make their own transportation arrangements have full responsibility for getting themselves and their baggage to the overseas campus and for returning home. AIFS assumes no responsibility for any transportation arrangements for these participants or consequences of delays, cancellations, missed connections or failure to arrive on campus in a timely manner. While participants may shop for a less expensive airline ticket, they should take caution to understand the limitations and restrictions on independently purchased tickets and should take into account the fact that round-trip transfers between the airport and housing in London are included only for students on the AIFS flight. Specific outbound and return flight dates are indicated on the application. Please read it carefully and plan accordingly. It is crucial to indicate clearly on the application whether you intend to purchase the AIFS Transportation Package. AIFS will not make your travel arrangements unless you indicate your departure date (tour or non-tour) and city. 3

5 Personal Effects coverage covers loss or theft up to a maximum of $2,500, subject to a maximum of $100 per item ($250 for cameras) and a deductible of $100 per incident. Bicycles, jewelry, cash and computers are not covered. Expensive personal items should be left at home. To purchase upgrades, indicate your choice on the application. 24-hour emergency travel assistance In the event of illness or injury, a 24-hour travel assistance service is at students disposal, staffed by multilingual coordinators trained to help should an emergency arise while traveling. The service is provided by AIG Assist for AIFS participants. OPTIONAL TOURS Most programs include an optional tour, either before the program starts, over a weekend during the program, or at the end of the program. Destinations may include Paris, Bruges and Brussels, Scotland, Krakow and Switzerland. Check your program application for details. INSURANCE AIFS provides each student with a group insurance plan in cooperation with The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania. It provides two distinct types of coverage: (1) Before the program begins, the policy will refund fees paid to AIFS by students unable to participate on the program because of covered injury or illness. However, a fee is retained from the amount paid which includes a $100 processing fee, the $50 non-refundable application fee and $210 insurance premium. (2) Once the program has begun, the policy covers the cost of medical treatment abroad up to a maximum of $10,000 per covered sickness or accident with a daily hospital charge limit of $300. Each accident or illness requires a $50 deductible. These two categories are mutually exclusive. The policy does not cover medical expenses before the program begins, nor does it refund any portion of the AIFS program fee once the program has begun. Coverage details are provided to students with their AIFS predeparture materials. Optional insurance upgrades The medical insurance upgrade covers medical treatment abroad to a maximum of $60,000 per covered illness or accident with a daily hospital charge of $300 and $50 deductible for each accident or illness. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Fees The program fee shown on the application usually includes accommodations, five week-day continental breakfasts for homestay students, services of the AIFS Program Coordinator and student advisors, an extensive weekly program of subsidized cultural and social activities, membership of the University of London Union as well as in local public libraries, an appropriate travel pass for the duration of the program, and medical and program fee refund insurance policies. Note that AIFS program fees do not include: the AIFS Transportation Package, meals not listed as included, optional personal effects insurance and medical insurance upgrade, optional European orientation tour and optional mid-term excursion, independent travel, textbooks, personal expenses, passport or visa fees, tuition or other fees payable to the student s home institution, field trips or excursions required by instructors, the refundable damage deposit and any other fees not listed as included. AIFS reserves the right to impose a $75 late fee on all payments received after the final payment deadline. Also note a $35 fee will be imposed on any check returned due to insufficient funds. Extra spending money The amount of spending money needed varies widely depending on lifestyle. A small number of students are able to survive on as little as $150 per week, while others need at least $250 a week. Students should budget for meals not included in the program fee, laundry, textbooks and entertainment. AIFS recommends budgeting approximately $200 per week. This does not cover the purchase of gifts, long distance telephone calls or lengthy weekend trips. A separate AIFS London Student Handbook gives more information about living on a budget in London and typical spending patterns. This will be sent to students after AIFS has received their applications. 4

6 AIFS refund policy This refund policy is necessary because the booking of facilities in London requires substantial nonrefundable advance payments and commitments from AIFS. If a student s application is not accepted by AIFS, a full refund is made less the non-refundable $50 application fee. If a student withdraws in writing 75* or more days prior to departure, a full refund will be made less a $100 processing fee, the $50 non-refundable application fee and any nonrefundable deposits paid either by the student or by AIFS on the student s behalf. If a student withdraws less than 75*, but 50* or more days prior to departure, all fees paid will be refunded less $450 plus any non-refundable deposits paid either by the student or by AIFS on the student s behalf unless a suitable, qualified replacement student is found. In this case, s/he receives a refund of all payments made, less a $100 processing fee, nonrefundable $50 application fee and any non-refundable deposits paid either by the student or by AIFS on the student s behalf. Flights cannot be arranged for substitutions less than 75* days prior to departure. If a student withdraws less than 50* days prior to departure without a replacement, there is no refund. Replacement students must pay in full at the time of application. *These dates are approximations. Refer to the program application for exact deadline dates. Students who are academically withdrawn by their institutions after their applications have been processed by AIFS are subject to the standard refund policy. If a student is forced to withdraw from the program because of covered medical reasons after final fees have been paid but before departure to Europe, a refund of all payments will be made less the $100 processing fee, the $50 non-refundable application fee and $210 insurance premium through the Fees Refund and Medical Insurance Policy which requires written proof of medical reasons. Once the program has started, students who withdraw receive no refund under any circumstances. AIFS cannot accept verbal notification of withdrawals or substitutions. All notifications must be made in writing, signed by the applicant, and sent by registered mail or fax to: Registrar, Partnership Programs, AIFS College Division, River Plaza, 9 West Broad Street, Stamford, CT , fax (203) No refund is made for accommodations not used for absence or any other reason once the program has started. AIFS reserves the right to terminate the housing agreement with individual students who, in the opinion of the AIFS Program Coordinator in consultation with the appropriate college/university authorities, have forfeited the right to remain a resident through unsocial behavior or failure to maintain a full academic program. No refund is payable in these circumstances. Damage deposit Students must pay a refundable damage deposit of $250 at the time of final payment of fees. This will be used, if necessary, to cover the cost of any damage or other charges incurred in the housing or facilities utilized, including unreturned library books. Normal wear and tear is not charged. Any unused portion of the deposit will be returned to the student. AIFS will process damage deposit refunds approximately eight to 10 weeks after the London program ends. An administrative fee is charged on damages incurred. Damages of $50 or less incur a $10 administrative fee; damages of more than $50 incur a $20 administrative fee. 5

7 FINANCIAL AID Many students are eligible to apply for financial aid, grants and loans to assist with the costs of the London program. Early application is essential. Contact your home institution s financial aid office promptly if you are interested in this possibility. Make sure to identify yourself as a potential London program participant. Aid applicant payments Students applying for financial aid through their home institutions or independently through a lending agency are required to pay the $450 deposit at the time the application is made plus all applicable tour deposits. The following amounts are due by the final payment deadline: (1) a $600 program reservation deposit, (2) the AIFS Transportation Package fee and applicable taxes, if the applicant has selected to arrange his/her transportation with AIFS, (3) the refundable $250 damage deposit, (4) the balance of any tours, and (5) any remaining balance that will not be covered by aid. Should additional amounts be due, this will be stated on the individual application. Applicants are responsible for arranging to have documentation sent from the financial aid office or lending institution stating all award amounts and disbursement dates. AIFS provides applicants with AIFS financial aid forms to be completed by the aid officer at the institution or lending agency. These must be completed and returned to: Registrar, Partnership Programs, AIFS College Division, River Plaza, 9 West Broad Street, Stamford, CT , by the final payment deadline. Financial aid applicant refunds Students who are not awarded their financial aid (in full or in part) and therefore are unable to participate in the program will receive a refund of fees paid to AIFS less the $50 non-refundable application fee, $100 processing fee and any non-refundable deposits paid either by the applicant or by AIFS on the applicant s behalf, provided the applicant notifies AIFS in writing by the final payment deadline. Notification must include written verification from the financial aid office or lending agency that the award requested was not granted in part or in full. Failure to request a refund from AIFS by the final payment deadline will result in forfeiture of all fees paid to AIFS. Financial aid applicant agreement If a financial aid award is canceled or reduced after the student has embarked on the AIFS program, the student is immediately responsible for payment of the balance. Failure to make payment will result in the administrative withdrawal of the student from the program. PLANNING Passports Students must obtain their own passports. Passport applications should be made early, as there are often delays in processing. To apply: 1. Obtain an application from your nearest U.S. Department of State passport office, state or federal court, or designated post office. 2. Complete the application. With it, submit proof of citizenship (birth certificate), proof of identity (driver s license or similar document), and two passport-sized photographs (2 x 2 ). 3. Pay the necessary fees. If you already have a passport but it will expire within six months after the end of your program, renew it now. Visas U.S. Citizens The prior entry clearance visa is not required for U.S. citizens intending only to study in Great Britain. Visas currently are not required of U.S. citizens for countries visited on the optional tour of Europe. Please note that any students who intend to undertake any work (including unpaid internships) must obtain a prior entry clearance visa in advance of their coming to the UK. More information about this visa is available from AIFS or at AIFS will provide an invoice after fees have been paid which should be kept with the acceptance letter and passport in case British immigration officials request to see it when you arrive. Non-U.S. Citizens If you are not an American citizen: Check to see that your passport is still valid. Renew your expired passport immediately. Contact the Washington, D.C., embassies or the nearest consulates of the countries you plan to visit to learn if visas are necessary (the optional tour goes to Belgium and France). Apply for all necessary visas as soon as possible. Take your United States resident alien card to Europe with you. If re-entering the U.S. upon completion of your program, make sure you have all the necessary documents to do so. It is your responsibility to arrange for all necessary immigration requirements. Immunizations/health Students should check with their own physician or student health service prior to leaving the U.S. regarding appropriate immunizations for the country or countries they will be visiting and obtain any booster shots necessary for immunizations that will expire during their time abroad. Currently, there are no immunizations required to enter any country in western Europe. To obtain a permanent record of immunizations, students must ask their Board of Public Health for the International Certificate of Vaccination. A doctor must sign it, and the Board of Public Health must validate it. 6

8 HIGHLIGHTS OF AIFS PROGRAM u Follow an academic program organized by your school u Earn resident credit u Study with American faculty and British guest lecturers u Enjoy courses relevant to London, Britain and Europe u Opt for either housing plan homestay or apartment (depending on program) uaccess the University of London Union, sports facilities, and clubs u Enjoy low-cost theater, visit historic sites u Tour Europe before the program (optional) FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AN APPLICATION, CONTACT COLLEGE DIVISION River Plaza 9 West Broad Street Stamford, CT