Pre-Departure
Registration
Billing Information
Refund Policy
Passport and Visas
Transportation
Cell Phones
Lost or Stolen Items
Information for for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Students
Pre-Departure Forms
Study Abroad Insurance Policy
Health Information
Orientation
Registration
Students on Emory summer study abroad programs remain fully registered at
Emory, and credits and grades earned overseas on these programs are granted
on the same basis as those obtained on campus. You are asked to list the courses you intend to take as part of the Summer Study Abroad Application form. Depending
on the program, you can earn between four and twelve Emory credits. Summer Study Abroad Course List.
All registration is handled by CIPA – you do not register yourself for summer study abroad classes.
Add/drop/swap takes place during the first week of the program only, and all
schedule changes must be made in consultation with the Faculty Program Director
for your study abroad program and CIPA.
Depending on the timing of the program, you may also be able to participate
in Emory Summer School if you so choose. Please mark this on your summer study
abroad application or let Margie Fishman, Summer Study Abroad Coordinator, (Email: mffishm@emory.edu) know if you intend to participate in
both types of classes.
Your registration for summer study abroad and your participation in the program
are contingent upon satisfying all financial obligations. Any prior
term balance must be paid in full before payments will be applied to the summer
study abroad tuition and fees. Payment is due by the summer study abroad
payment deadline. Failure to meet the payment deadline will result in cancellation of your enrollment in the study abroad program. You may
view your account on OPUS, or if you have any questions about your account
balance, you can contact the Office of Student Financial Services.
Billing Information
The cost of the program is listed in the program brochure, on this website,
and in your acceptance letter to the program. You will also be able to view
your bill for the program through OPUS once you have been registered for summer
study abroad classes.
Full payment is due no later than May 14, 2008. You can pay via OPUS or through the Office of Student Financial
Services, as you normally would for on-campus classes. You do not receive paper bills, and must access your student account through OPUS. Through the guest access program, you can give your parents permission to pay bills online. If you have any questions
about how to make payment or about any balances due on your account, please
contact the Office of Student Financial Services directly at 404-727-6095.
At any time, you should be able to view your account details and summer study
abroad charges through OPUS. If you have any questions about financial aid,
loans, or scholarships, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
If you are intending to use a loan to finance your summer study abroad program,
you should start the application process as soon as possible after acceptance
to the program. Approval of the loan must be received by the Office of Financial
Aid no later than the summer study abroad payment deadline; otherwise, your
participation on the program may be jeopardized if your program is not paid
in full by this deadline.
Refund Policy
If you need to cancel your application for any reason, you must do so in writing
to Margie Fishman, Summer Study Abroad
Coordinator, no later than March 15.
Date Cancelled and Refund
On or before March 15: Refund of full tuition and program fee
March 16 – April 30: Refund of full tuition and 50% of program fee
May 1 – Program Start Date: Refund of tuition only
After Program Start Date: Subject to Emory College Summer School Tuition Refund
Schedule (Please contact CIPA for details.)
In all cases, the $350 deposit is non-refundable.
In addition, CIPA reserves the right to charge for any unrecoverable* costs
already paid on your behalf by the program.
* Emory University and CIPA must often undertake substantial financial commitments
on behalf of students prior to the beginning of a summer study abroad program.
Even if you have not yet paid the full program balance, you are obligated
to pay for any unrecoverable expenses incurred on your behalf. Unrecoverable
costs may include expenses for both individual and group services. Individual
expenses are items such as train/airplane tickets or pre-paid room reservations.
Group expenses may include bus rentals, payment to tour guides, etc. For example,
if the program budget is based on a minimum of 15 participants, and the 15
th student withdraws, then a portion of the cost for some group services also
becomes an unrecoverable expense.
If you choose not to participate in a program activity, either mandatory or
not mandatory, (such as a field trip, excursion, cultural event, meal, etc.),
you will not be refunded any portion of the cost of the program.
If you are dismissed from the program, you will receive no refund.
Passports and Visas
If you do not already have a valid passport or you need to renew a passport,
you should start this process immediately, as it can take several weeks to
obtain. Information regarding passports can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Please see below for more details about the current status of passport applications.
If you already have a passport, it must be valid for at least six months beyond
the end date of your study abroad program. If it is not, you should start
the renewal process now. (Please see above for details.)
Please submit a clear and legible copy of your passport to CIPA with your
summer study abroad application or once you receive your new passport. CIPA
will keep this copy on file, but you should also make a copy to take with
you separate from your actual passport, and you should also leave a copy at
home.
Certain summer study abroad program destinations require students to obtain
a visa for entry to the country. Please check with CIPA or your Program Director for
details.
If you are a non-U.S. citizen, please check with your Program Director
for details. You need to check the website for the Consulate of the country
to which you are going to see if you need a visa. In addition, please contact
the ISSP Office on campus to make sure you have completed all necessary paperwork
to allow entry back into the U.S. at the conclusion of your program or when
you return to campus this Fall.
For students who need to apply for a passport or renew a passport, the National Passport Office is experiencing a record demand for passports. Processing times have increased to 10-12 weeks for routine service and 2-3 weeks for expedited service. Several reports indicate even longer processing times, so please apply early! To apply, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Due to record demand, it is very difficult to get through to the National Passport Information Center by phone or by email. If you are traveling within two weeks and still have not received your passport, it is recommended that you contact your local congressional representative to expedite the process. Call the local branch of the office and ask to speak to the constituent services representative who handles passports. It is advised that you begin this process a full two weeks before you are scheduled to depart.
If you still haven’t received your passport, make an appointment to appear in-person at a regional passport office by calling 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Press 1 and then 2 to reach the automated system to schedule an appointment.
Transportation
You are responsible for making your own arrangements for travel to and from
the program destination. You must arrive by the specified start date of the
program. The cost of airfare is NOT included in program fees.
STA, located in Emory Village, can assist, and you should request the student
fare. In addition to having a passport, you will need to have an International
Student Identity Card (ISIC) which can be obtained through STA for a nominal
fee.
Transportation for field trips and other program excursions is generally included
in the cost of the program. Local transportation to and from homestays or
internships may or may not be included in the cost of the program. Please
check with the Program Director and/or Margie Fishman at CIPA for further details.
Cell Phones
Summer study abroad students usually try to bring a cell phone when they go abroad. Students can purchase a GSM cell phone and local prepaid phone card for international destinations. You can also contact your cell phone provider or your summer program director to discuss options. Alternatively, CIPA, in cooperation with Platform 3000 and PicCell Wireless, is offering the option to students studying abroad to receive free cell phone rentals (with a $19.90 processing fee) and discounted calling rates. Package features include free incoming calls while students are in the service’s home country, a pay-as-you-go plan, English-speaking customer service, and the option for lost or stolen insurance. Phones come equipped with alarm clocks, voicemail, text messaging, call waiting and caller ID. Not all program destinations are eligible. Cell phones are not required by the programs, but the main advantage is that students will receive their phones and numbers before they depart. Students will be responsible for signing individual contracts. To learn more or to sign up, visit http://www.piccellwireless.com/emory.
Lost or Stolen Items
Neither CIPA nor Emory assumes any responsibility for personal items lost or stolen during the course of a summer study abroad program. Individuals should contact their homeowner’s insurance provider to understand coverage policies while traveling internationally.
Information for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Students
Emory’s Office of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Life (http://www.emory.edu/CAMPUS_LIFE/LGBTOffice) has compiled a list of resources for LGBT students studying abroad:
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) (http://www.ilga.org)
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (http://www.iglhrc.org)
NAFSA: Association of International Educators—Rainbow Special Interest Group (http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/)
Amnesty International USA’s Outfront!: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights (http://www.amnestyusa.org/outfront/)
Transgender Law & Policy Institute (http://www.transgenderlaw.org)
U.S. only, but gives an overview of issues and protections.
Human Rights Watch: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights
(http://hrw.org/doc/?t=lgbt)
Pre-Departure Forms
Once you are accepted to a study abroad
program, you will receive the following forms which must be completed and
returned to CIPA no later than April 1.
Health Questionnaire
Study Abroad Self-Identification
Form for Disability Support Services – please follow the directions
if you need to request accommodations on your summer study abroad program
Study Abroad Insurance Policy
For all Emory summer programs, the program cost for study abroad includes supplemental medical insurance for international travel provided by T.W. Lord and Associates. A description of this coverage, a claim form, and a card will be provided to you prior to departure or upon arrival overseas.
This insurance policy is meant to be supplemental to any insurance coverage you normally receive. Therefore, you must check with your current insurance provider to find out what will be covered while you are abroad and to understand the policy payments and claim system. If you see a doctor abroad, expect to make up-front payments, most likely in cash, and then you will have to file for a refund from your insurance company.
If your current insurance provider does not cover you while overseas, then the study abroad insurance provided by Emory will serve as your primary policy.
Please note: All Emory students are required to carry a primary insurance policy as mandated by Emory University, effective Fall Semester 2006. Information about the mandatory health insurance policy is available online at: http://www.college.emory.edu/current/courses/health/index.html
In some cases, the primary insurance policy that you are currently enrolled in may not cover certain conditions or needs while abroad. As a student enrolled in an Emory study abroad program, the T.W. Lord insurance policy will provide supplemental coverage for the duration of the program (including two days prior to the start of on-site orientation until two days after classes end).
If you are planning to travel before or after the program and would like additional coverage, then you may contact T.W. Lord and Associates directly to sign up for additional days. Students are responsible for paying for any additional coverage beyond the duration of the academic program.
If, in the case of an emergency, the Program Director covers the cost of your medical expenses, you will be required to repay the Program directly during the course of the program or immediately upon return to the U.S. Failure to pay charges in a timely manner will result in charges being placed on your account through Student Financial Services and may adversely affect your ability to receive transcripts, register for on-campus courses, etc.
Contact Information:
TW Lord and Associates Tel: 770-427-2461
Emory Study AbroadToll-free: 800-633-2360
Health Insurance Claim Form
Emory Study Abroad Insurance Brochure
Worldwide Assistance Services
Included in the health insurance program is access to the 24-hour Worldwide
Assistance network for emergency assistance anywhere in the world. In case
of emergency, call the number listed above. The multilingual staff will answer
your call in English and immediately provide reliable, professional, and thorough
assistance.
The following services are included in the program:
1. Referral to the nearest, most appropriate medical facility, and/or provider
2. Medical monitoring by board-certified emergency physicians in the United
States
3. Urgent message relay between family, friends, personal physician, school,
and insured.
4. Guarantee of payment to provider and assistance in coordinating insurance
benefits.
5. Arranging and coordinating emergency medical evacuations and repatriations
6. Emergency travel arrangements for disrupted travel as the consequence of
a medical emergency
7. Referral to legal assistance
8. Assistance in locating lost or stolen items including lost ticket application
processing. These services are included in the insurance provided in this
program.
Worldwide Assistance Services From within the US and Canada: 800-243-6124
Worldwide Assistance Services Outside the US and Canada: international collect 202-331-1596
Health Information
Adjusting to life in a new country means excitement, challenge, and the unexpected. No amount of preparation can guarantee a trouble-free transition. Since you are not a citizen of the host country, you are not usually given the same medical care benefits as its citizens. Arranging and paying for medical care is your responsibility, and you should pay careful attention to the international coverage.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Before you travel abroad, it is worthwhile to take a close look at the many factors that contribute to your physical and emotional well-being. A trip abroad will almost certainly affect your health, because so many factors of your daily health are related to your lifestyle and environment. Conversely, the state of your health will have a significant impact on the success and enjoyment of your trip.
(1) Assess your health and health-related practices
Going abroad is not a magic "geographic cure" for concerns and problems at home. Both physical and emotional health issues will follow you wherever you go. In particular, if you are concerned about your use of alcohol and other controlled drugs, or if you have an emotional health concern, you should address it honestly before making plans to travel. Contrary to many people's expectations, travel does not minimize these problems; in fact, it often exacerbates them to a crisis stage while you are away from home.
(2) Identify your health needs
Be clear about your health needs when applying for a program and when making housing arrangements. Thoroughly and honestly describe allergies, disabilities, psychological treatments, dietary requirements, and medical needs so that adequate arrangements can be made. In addition, resources and services for people with disabilities vary widely by country and region. If you have a disability or special need, identify it and talk to the faculty director of your program and your CIPA advisor so that steps can be taken well in advance on your behalf.
Remember to ask questions, such as:
- What illnesses are endemic to the region?
- What medications should I take to prevent these illnesses?
- What precautions are recommended for sexual or health practices?
- What are the customs, beliefs, and laws in the host country concerning sexual behavior and the use of alcohol and drugs?
- What is the quality of water?
- What are the laws governing the import of medications, medical supplies, and contraceptives?
This information can be found in several places, including:
- Family physician
- Campus health service
- Local public health department
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention – http://www.cdc.gov/travel/
- U.S. State Department – www.travel.state.gov
Travelers with disabilities can get more information from Mobility International -- http://www.miusa.org/
(3) See your health practitioners
A visit to your family physician, gynecologist, and dentist will insure that you are in good health before you leave and might prevent emergencies abroad. Update your health records, including eyeglass prescriptions and regular medications and take a copy of your prescription.
(4) Prescription medication
If you take prescription medication, carry a supply with you to last for your entire time abroad. In some cases you may need to carry syringes with you. Take a copy of your physician's prescription for any medication and medical supplies you carry with you to pass through foreign customs. Carry extra prescriptions for contacts and eyeglasses. Always keep prescription medication in its original container. The name on the medication should match the name on your passport. Take all documents and prescriptions in their original containers. Check the latest airport security regulations before packing your carry-on baggage. Prescription medicine is allowed on board aircraft at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provided that the passenger carrying the medication is named on the prescription bottle. NOTE: Do not attempt to have medications sent to you through the mail.
Pharmacies in other countries may be able to fill prescriptions; however, the medication may be under a different name, come in different dosages, or be slightly different in some way, and you would need to visit a local doctor first in order to get a local prescription.
If you expect to need regular medical care abroad, you must discuss this with the faculty director of your program and CIPA as soon as possible. You may need to present a letter from your physician which provides details of your medical conditions, care, and specific needs. Medical resources will need to be identified before you depart for the program.
(5) Immunizations
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a website – www.cdc.gov/travel/ – with information on vaccinations, food and water, and current health problems. There are no required immunizations for most of Western Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. You should make sure your tetanus shot is current, and you should consider vaccination for Hepatitis A, which can be caused by contamination of food or water, by sewage, and by infected food handlers. If you are going to South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Russia, or remote areas of your host country, consult the CDC website. Vaccinations may be suggested that require several months to be administered. Consult your program’s faculty director if you have any specific questions about what is recommended.
(6) Pack a Medical Kit
Traveling with a medical kit may be a helpful tool. Useful items to pack include band-aids, sunscreen, anti-diarrhea medication, antibacterial ointment, and pain relievers. Also depending on the region, you may want to include water purification tablets, salt tablets, skin moisturizers, and insect repellent. Women should take a supply of oral contraceptives for the entire period abroad and feminine hygiene products if you are traveling where they are not available and any other routine health and medical products you think you may need or brands that you like. Check the expiration dates of all medications before you leave.
(7) Concerns about AIDS and STDs
You are at the same risk for these diseases overseas as you are at home; your risk of infection depends entirely on your own behavior. Therefore, please use good judgment and common sense in your everyday life and specifically with regard to sexual activity. If you are sexually active, it is highly recommended that you carry a personal supply of condoms if you are traveling to underdeveloped regions in the world, even if you are using other forms of birth control. Only a condom or sexual abstinence can protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. HIV / AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are again on the rise in the U.S. and around the world.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Once you arrive in a new country, you will soon discover that many elements in the environment may affect or alter your health. Most likely, you will be eating different foods, living in a different climate, and reacting emotionally in some way to this new experience.
(1) Jet Lag
Depending on your destination, you may experience jet lag or traveler's stress. Some helpful ways to counteract jet lag include getting plenty of rest, eating healthy food, drinking plenty of fluids (particularly juices and water), avoiding alcohol and caffeine, getting some moderate exercise, and wearing loose, comfortable clothing.
(2) Cultural Adjustment and Stress
Cultural adjustment, sometimes called “culture shock” is a typical phenomenon that happens to all travelers who venture to a new culture and country for an extended period of time. There are many emotional effects of facing new values, habits, and lifestyles. You may experience confusing emotional highs and lows during your time abroad. You may also feel anxious, impatient, bewildered, and depressed at times. These are all initial symptoms of culture adjustment and may easily be overcome. Most students experience culture shock in one form or another. Be aware that a moderate amount of anxiety and stress is a natural part of intercultural transitions. A new language, exotic foods, beginning classes, and even changes in the weather can affect your stress level. This stress is nothing to be afraid of and can easily be dealt with by having a positive attitude and taking good care of yourself emotionally and physically.
Orientation
Each summer study abroad program will
have a mandatory pre-departure orientation session and/or other pre-departure
activities. The Program Director will contact you with details. CIPA will hold a general pre-departure orientation for accepted students in April.
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