International Programs Participant Guide 2014-2015
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International Programs Participant Guide 2014-2015 Japan Tokyo The California State University CSU OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS 401 Golden Shore, Sixth Floor Long Beach, California 90802-4210 Tele: (562) 951-4790 Fax: (562) 951-4983 www.calstate.edu/ip This Participant Guide is designed to assist you with your preparation for your year abroad. We encourage you to share this information with your family and friends so that they can share in your experience. The Guide is revised annually and we welcome your suggestions. Leo Van Cleve, Director Table of Contents Student Policies and Procedures Academic Arrangements Introduction..................................................21 What About Alternates? . .5 Academic Planning ...........................................21 How Involved Do I Have to Be?.................................5 Availability of Courses ........................................21 Communicating with The Office of International Programs (OIP) 5 Courses Crediting ............................................22 IP Website.....................................................5 While You Are Abroad . 23 Deadlines .....................................................5 Academic Reporting..........................................23 Moving Before You Go? ........................................5 Assessment and Grading Systems.............................24 Do I Have to Register at my CSU Campus? ......................5 Academic Policies ............................................24 Nonresident Students .........................................5 Frequently Asked Questions . 28 Transfer Students..............................................6 Renewal Students .............................................6 Finances Students with Dependents . 6 Financial Planning ............................................29 Payment of CSU Tuition Fees ...................................6 Explanation of Cost Estimate..................................29 Housing Policies...............................................6 The State of California Keeps Cost Down Withdrawals...................................................7 by Contributing Toward the Program Costs..................30 Refunds .......................................................7 Changes to Program Cost .....................................30 Student Conduct ..............................................7 Financial Data Form ..........................................30 CSU International Programs Alcohol Policy .....................9 W-9S .........................................................30 CSU International Programs Statement on Sexual Harassment ..9 Payment .....................................................30 Intercultural Gender Relations .................................9 Financial Aid - Procedures.....................................30 Privacy of Student Information.................................9 Financial Aid - Disbursement..................................31 Nondiscrimination Policy . .10 When Can You Expect Your Financial Aid? .....................31 Preparing For Your Year OIP Emergency Loans ........................................31 Certification of Enrollment ....................................31 Ready to Go? .................................................11 Consular Information .........................................11 Health and Safety Abroad Visa ..........................................................11 Health & Medical Issues.......................................32 The Visa Application Process: Your Responsibility ..............11 Health Conditions Overseas...................................32 Non-U.S. Citizens .............................................12 Health Insurance .............................................33 Transportation ...............................................12 Adjustment & Personal Safety.................................33 Photographs .................................................13 Consular Information .........................................34 International Student Identity Card (ISIC)......................13 Final Note ....................................................34 Packing Tips..................................................13 Electrical Appliances..........................................13 Agreement Nondiscrimination Policy . .35 The Tokyo Program Privacy Rights of Students in Education Records ...............36 Arrival........................................................15 Student’s Copy ...............................................37 Orientation...................................................16 Program Cost Estimate........................................40 Registering For Classes .......................................16 Withdrawals..................................................41 Housing......................................................16 Refunds ......................................................41 Special Events/Planned Activities .............................17 Computer/Internet Access . .18 Telephones...................................................18 Money Matters & Banking . 18 Ward Wallach Memorial International Scholarship .............18 Books on Japan...............................................18 Vacation Travel ...............................................19 Mailing Address in Japan . .19 Health Care Facilities..........................................19 Work .........................................................20 Registering at the U.S. Embassy . .20 Emergency Number ..........................................20 The Participant Guide • Your Participant Guide provides information about your study abroad program, specifically about: o Important Country-Specific information o Academic Arrangements o Finances/ Program Costs o Health & Safety • Participation in IP requires considerable commitment on your part. We expect you to read your Participant Guide as it was written to assist you as you prepare to study abroad. The CSU International Programs: An Overview • IP is the most affordable study abroad option for CSU students. o IP is supported by State funds, so participants pay the same CSU tuition fees had they remained at their home CSU campuses. • All academic credit earned abroad counts as CSU resident credit. • Participants gain firsthand knowledge and understanding of other areas of the world through a year of academic study. • Staff are available at all locations abroad to provide orientation and to assist students on a daily basis. Student Policies and Procedures What About Alternates? IP Website • Being an “alternate” means you’re on the waiting list. All participants are expected to read the following on- • Alternates must complete all forms and make all pay- line resources: ments as if they were regular participants. 1. Online Form Packet – Forms and deadlines • You will be informed immediately if your status chang- 2. Academic Program Calendar - Program dates es. 3. The IP Participant Guide – Program details and poli- cies How Involved Do I Have to Be? 4. The IP Bulletin – Academic Program • Being part of an established program involves commit- ment. Deadlines • At times, you will be expected to behave as a member • At the top of your “Online Form Packet ” there is a check- of a group, such as at the on-site orientation and in oth- list including all deadline dates. Please use it. er group activities. • It is not necessary to send materials by overnight mail. • Generally, you’ll have a great deal of independence, but If you mail materials on the deadline, that’s OK. No need you must remember that your actions may affect your to call us if you’ll be a day or two late. group or future groups. • Please make sure to mail all required documents by the Communicating with The Office of deadline. Our office cannot accommodate students International Programs (OIP) wishing to drop off items in person. • From now on, all questions about your participation Moving Before You Go? in the program should be addressed to OIP. Anytime there is a change in your address, telephone, cell • When making inquiries, we ask that you, and not your phone or email between now and departure, send us a parents, contact us. Change of Address /Contact Information form. This form • OIP is located in downtown Long Beach at the CSU Of- is included in your Online Form Packet. fice of the Chancellor, not on the CSU Long Beach cam- pus as some mistakenly assume. Our address is: Do I Have to Register at my CSU Cam- CSU International Programs pus? 401 Golden Shore, Sixth Floor No. Do not register for classes at your home CSU campus Long Beach, California 90802-4210 while you are on IP. OIP arranges this for you. Tel: (562) 951-4790 For all pre-departure questions: [email protected] Nonresident Students For all academic questions: [email protected] • Nonresident students are subject to nonresident tu- For financial matters: [email protected] ition fees. • We will communicate with you by e-mail, so read your • Participants are selected without regard to national e-mail frequently. origin, citizenship, or residence status. In a competitive situation, however, priority is given to applicants who • Inform us if you change your e-mail address. have not had extensive intercultural experience. • Resident aliens are advised to check with the US im- migration officials on the possible effects of residence International Programs Participant Guide 2014-2015 Tokyo, Japan 5 outside the US. o Nonresident students pay nonresident tuition. • Visa students must check with