Education Abroad
Pre-Departure Information for
University of Applied Sciences Hof
http://www-englisch.fh-hof.de/welcome.266.0.html
Table of Contents
APPLICATION MATERIALS CHECKLIST ...... ‐ 2 ‐ VISAS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ...... ‐ 2 ‐ PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION...... ‐ 3 ‐ PENN STATE CONTACT INFORMATION ...... ‐ 3 ‐ After‐Hours Emergency Number ...... ‐ 3 ‐ ARRIVAL AND ONSITE ORIENTATION ...... ‐ 3 ‐ Know What Is Expected ...... ‐ 3 ‐ Arrival On‐site ...... ‐ 3 ‐ Onsite Orientation ...... ‐ 4 ‐ HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS ...... ‐ 4 ‐ PAYMENT INFORMATION ...... ‐ 4 ‐ HEALTH INSURANCE ...... ‐ 5 ‐ ACADEMICS ...... ‐ 5 ‐ Course and credit information ...... ‐ 5 ‐ COMMUNICATION ...... ‐ 6 ‐ LIVING IN HOF ...... ‐ 6 ‐
APPLICATION MATERIALS CHECKLIST Since this program is a direct‐enrollment program (i.e., you are enrolling in this institution like any local student and choosing your classes from the regular selection of classes available to local students), you must complete additional application materials and paperwork in order to complete your acceptance on‐site. These additional materials are downloadable on the application website. Once you download them, be sure to read the instructions carefully, complete them, and return them by the date indicated. Failure to return them in a timely fashion will affect your acceptance status.
Students are held responsible to download all post‐decision application materials and complete them as indicated. • Login to your Education Abroad Application • Click on the documents titled: o EA: Christchurch, Lincoln University Application o EA: Christchurch, Lincoln University Housing Application o Notarized Passport Photocopy • Carefully read and follow all directions on the resulting page. • Submit all required documents by the specified deadline
What happens next? If applicable, your Education Abroad Adviser will send all completed forms and supporting materials (from the checklist) to your host institution for processing. Once your host institution has reviewed the materials, the international office there will be in contact with you (either by mail or by e‐mail) and will send you further materials (which may include arrival information, housing documents, acceptance‐of‐offer forms that you must sign and return to the host institution independently, or other items).
Be alert to any mailings (postal or electronic) that are sent to you from your host institution, read everything carefully, and (if you are required to submit any further documentation to your host institution) be sure to respond to this request in a timely way. VISAS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
You must have a valid passport to enter Germany. If you do not have a passport, apply for one immediately. Forms are usually available at all post offices but can only be submitted at the main post offices. Forms are also available online at www.state.gov .
If you are a US citizen, you do not need to obtain a Student Visa from the German consulate. However, within a week after arriving, you will need to obtain your Residence Permit. Your onsite coordinator will assist you with this process.
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PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
ON‐SITE COORDINATOR: Ms. Sonja Andorfer (first point of contact for any International Office problems at host institution) Hochschule Hof University of Applied Sciences Alfons Goppel Platz 1 95028 Hof/Saale, Germany Telephone: 49.0.9281.409.305 Sonja.Andoerfer@fh‐hof.de
PENN STATE CONTACT INFORMATION
Dolores Rafter Arevalo, Ph.D. Coordinator of International Affairs Fulbright Program Adviser Penn State Abington College 320B Sutherland Building 1600 Woodland Road Abington, PA 19001 Ph: 215.881.7541 [email protected]
After-Hours Emergency Number (e.g., in case of life‐threatening accident or illness abroad):
(814) 863‐1111, Penn State Police Services
Police Services will notify the appropriate EA staff member(s) regarding true emergency calls received after hours
The 911 equivalent emergency number in Germany is: 112 ARRIVAL AND ONSITE ORIENTATION
Know What Is Expected You will receive pre‐arrival materials (in either paper or electronic format, or a combination of both) from your host institution this semester. In order to be well‐prepared for your program, be sure to read all your pre‐arrival materials carefully!
Arrival On-site
PSU students contact Ms. Sonja Andorfer by e‐mail to let her know their travel arrangements to Germany. PSU students can be met at the train station in Hof or at the Hof Airport by University personnel who will drive them to their housing assignment.
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Onsite Orientation
Students can expect to have an on‐site orientation with other new international students who plan to begin the semester at the university. In addition, the University plans a Welcome Week of activities for all new students before they begin their German language and culture classes. The language and culture classes start two weeks before the start of the academic semester. It is a free intensive German course for all international students. Various levels of German language instruction are offered. The International Office also plans weekend excursions to various locations of historical and cultural interest before the beginning of the semester for international students who wish to participate.
In addition, the International Office offers assistance with the following:
• Opening a bank account in Germany • Finalizing registration & enrollment • Signing the housing contract & picking up keys • Town hall registration • Obtaining a German residence permit
HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS Students live either in student resident halls or student apartments on or near the campus. The International Office offers assistance in finding and renting accommodations. Although PSU exchange students normally study in Hof for 4 months (September 1 – December 23), all lease agreements are for 6 months and run from September 1 to the end of February. Students send a deposit to hold their living accommodations to the program coordinator in advance. PAYMENT INFORMATION PLEASE share these basic payment details with your parents if they are paying (in whole or in part) for your education abroad program.
While the Education Abroad office makes every effort to provide you with accurate program costs, institutions around the world determine program costs at different times, it is difficult for Education Abroad to provide actual cost information until shortly before the beginning of a program. You are encouraged to consult your program’s budget sheet on a regular basis as it is frequently updated with the most current cost and billing information available. The Education Abroad office is not responsible (or in any way liable), at any time, for late or last‐minute changes to our partner institutions’ costs.
For the most up‐to‐date information please reference your program budget sheet on the Education Abroad: • Fall Budget Sheet for Abington: Hof, University of Applied Sciences Hof
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The billable subtotal which includes tuition, technology fee, and our administrative fee will be billed to your bursar account. All eligible financial aid and scholarships will apply to the billable subtotal.
The non‐billable subtotal consists of costs you are expected to incur on the program, but you will not get a bill from Penn State for these items. They are considered an out‐of‐pocket expense to the student. HEALTH INSURANCE
All students have been issued a comprehensive policy with HTH Worldwide Insurance. Students will receive an email from HTH with instructions on how to login to the HTH website (www.hthstudents.com) and print their insurance card. The Penn State HTH policy number is HM‐3015‐A‐08.
You can find more information on the PSU Education Abroad Website under Health & Safety Æ Insurance.
In an emergency, call +1.610.254.8771.
Receipts for medical costs should be submitted to:
HTH Worldwide Attn: International Claims One Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 100 Radnor PA 19087 USA ACADEMICS You will enroll for a full‐time course load at the Lincoln University, just like any local student would do. You may choose your courses from the large selection offered in the Lincoln University course catalog; however, make sure you look at the courses BEFORE you leave Penn State, and make tentative choices in consultation with your Penn State academic adviser, in order to ensure that you are choosing the right kinds of courses to keep you on track for graduation. You will register for your Lincoln University courses after arrival, as part of your on‐ site orientation program.
Course and credit information It is highly recommended that you consult with your Penn State academic adviser in order to ensure that you are choosing the right kinds of courses to keep you on track for graduation. Per a Penn State Faculty Senate decision, you must remain a full‐time student while on your study abroad experience. As for credit, you are guaranteed of receiving credit for any* courses you take on this program, though you should meet with your academic advisor before you depart to see if they approve of your course selection abroad. While you’re guaranteed of receiving credit for these courses, it’s up to your academic department to determine how such course will fit
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into your degree audit. If you select courses on this program that have already been assigned equivalent Penn State course title and credit amounts, then you do not need to do anything. However, if you enroll in any courses that have not previously been assigned such credit or Penn State titles, then you need to send a copy for each such course to our office, along with a course accreditation form, within the first few weeks of your study abroad experience.
*Kinesiology course are not accepted at Penn State from foreign institutions.
If you have questions about the course accreditation process, please contact Dolores Rafter Arevalo ([email protected]), or the Abington Registrar’s Office:
The Office of the Registrar 121 Sutherland 215-881-7337 [email protected] Hours Mon - Thur, 8am-9pm, Fri 8am-5pm COMMUNICATION Computer facilities Internet access varies depending on the housing situation you enroll in. It is recommended that you review the housing website at Hof University to learn more.
Cell Phones Cell phones or international calling cards may be purchased in Hof. Rates vary depending upon the cell phone. LIVING IN HOF
Hof is located in northeastern Bavaria where the Free States of Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia meet. The city’s motto is „Hof, in Bayern ganz oben" or “Hof, On Top of Bavaria.” The motto refers both to the city’s geographic location within the Bavarian Free State and to its relatively high elevation: 495 metres above sea level. Hof is surrounded by nature ‐ located between the low‐mountain region of the Fichtelgebirge and the Franconian Forest on the banks of the Saxon Saale River.”
For more information login to your Penn State application and read the learning content titled: • Abington: City Guide for Hof
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