EXCHANGE FACT SHEET FOR GRADUATES FALL/SPRING/SUMMER SEMESTERS ACADEMIC YEAR 2021-2022

Ahlers Center for International Business

Greetings from the of ! We are pleased to partner with you in a student exchange. Please use this Fact Sheet to assist you in learning more about our institution and the exchange application process.

GENERAL INFORMATION About USD USD is a private, coeducational, Roman Catholic institution situated on 180 acres overlooking San Diego's beautiful . For more than 70 years, USD has been dedicated to providing a values-based education rooted in the liberal arts. The university enrolls approximately 8,000 students who choose from more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. USD is known for its commitment to teaching and takes pride in the personalized approach it brings to the educational process.

Statistics • Business and Accountancy programs fully accredited by AACSB International for over 40 years • Business School Enrollment: Approximately 1,300 undergraduate and 500 graduate business students • More than 54,000 alumni, in all 50 states and 97 countries • Evening (Executive) MBA program ranked #13 in the US by Business Week with an A+ designation for teaching quality • Ranked #2 in the country by Princeton Review for campus environment • MBA program ranked 21st in The Aspen Institute’s “Global 100” • MBA program ranked #2 in Entrepreneurship in the world by Financial Times

Contact

Allison Howitt, Assistant Director Academic Programs Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-619-260-4847 Fax: +1-619-260-4198

Mailing Address Ahlers Center for International Business, Coronado 114 University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110-2492 U.S.A. Location The 180-acre campus overlooks Mission Bay Aquatic Park with views of and the Pacific Ocean. Close to business, cultural, residential, and recreational areas, the campus is near the air and rail terminals, and a city bus line runs right past the campus. The campus is named Alcalá Park after the Spanish university city of Alcalá where St. Didacus, from whom San Diego received its name, worked and studied.

The City Known for many reasons as "America's Finest City," San Diego has an almost perfect climate with warm, sunny days and cool evenings. Throughout the year, students can take advantage of San Diego's many outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities. The museums of Balboa Park, the Old Globe Theatre, the zoo, Sea World, the beaches, the opera, and downtown San Diego and , and the Mexican border are only minutes away. The rapidly developing economy of Greater San Diego provides varied employment opportunities for the USD graduate.

Academic Calendar APPLICATION PROCESS http://www.sandiego.edu/academic- calendars/ Fall Semester = September-December Nominations & Application Process Spring Semester = January-May Students must first be nominated by their academic advisor at their home institution. Once approved by their home institution, the following basic Exchange Periods information should be sent for each nominee to the USD via Summer Session: June-August email: Fall Semester: September-December Intersession: January Spring Semester: January-May 1. First Name 7. Program of study 2. Middle Name 8. Term 3. Last Name 9. Country of Birth Nomination Deadlines 4. Email 10.Country of Citizenship 5. Birthday 11.Country of Legal Permanent Residence Summer Session: February 1 6. Gender 12. Copy of passport Fall Semester: March 1 Intersession: September 1 Spring Semester: October 1

Please note, we will be conducting interviews with each Priority Application student via Skype after they are nominated. Also, we are no longer able to accept M.Sc. students without two years of Deadlines post-undergraduate, full-time work experience. Summer Session: February 15 Fall Semester: March 15 Intersession: September 15 Spring Semester: October 15 Application Requirements Each nominee is first required to be interviewed, via Skype or Zoom, with the Ahlers Center Assistant Director of Academic Programs. Upon successful completion of the interview, the Assistant Director will provide the applicant, via email, with relevant application materials. A fully completed application packet will consist of the following items: 1. Completed Online Data Information Form 2. Applicant’s one-page resume, in English 3. A recent copy of graduate school transcript, in English 4. Learning Agreement; course selections are indicated on the learning agreement (many courses have pre- requisites and course selection cannot be guaranteed until after applicant is officially enrolled by the Assistant Director 5. A completed iTorero Online Profile; accepted nominees will be provided instructions on how to complete the iTorero Online Profile. Part of the profile will include uploading the following documentation to this portal in support of applicant’s J1 exchange visitor visa application:

• Scanned copy of passport • Proof of English proficiency (either language test exam results or letter from home university advisor stating applicant has advanced English proficiency and has previously completed graduate level business courses in English) • Registration of International Health Insurance (either acceptance of purchasing USD policy or those selecting to purchase their own private insurance must submit a letter, in English, which specifically lists the students name, dates of coverage, and that the insurance meets the minimum qualifications as listed here: http://www.sandiego.edu/oiss/ students-and-scholars/incoming/health-insurance-requirements.php • Certification of Finances, in English (proof of funds of at least $2,500 per month for your living expenses during your stay in the US). More information on what documentation can fulfill this requirement is found below under the heading ‘Certification of Finances’.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be a number of “pre-arrival” items students must complete after their acceptance but before arrival at USD, including: Travel Itinerary Immunization Forms Confirmation of student’s “MySanDiego” account and USD email account creation Copy of the student’s J1 exchange visitor visa, after being issued by US consulate abroad

Language Requirement Students must be proficient in English and submit confirmation though an official English test score and/or a letter from their home university academic advisor stating that the student is already taking business courses at the graduate level in English. Students who completed their undergraduate degrees in an English speaking country can submit a copy of their undergraduate degree in lieu of English test scores.

A TOEFL score is strongly recommended for students whose native language is not English. Students can either take the internet, computer or paper exam. USD's minimum scores are 237 on the computer-based, 580 on the paper-based, or 92 on the internet-based test. In order for scores to be valid they should not be any older than 2 years. USD will only accept official scores. Please make sure you provide USD's code 4849. For a testing center in your country, please visit http://www.toefl.org.

USD also accepts IELTS test scores of 7.0 or above in lieu of the TOEFL exam. COURSE INFORMATION Course Load per Term

Students must be in full-time status while in the exchange. That means taking a minimum course load of 9 units (typically 3-4 classes) for graduate students during the fall and spring semesters. Summer students full time status is determined on a case by case basis by the Assistant Director.

1 Course = 1- 3 units/credits 1 unit/credit = 14 classroom contact hours (assignments, projects, homework, etc. are in addition to classroom contact hours Class Selection Courses should be discussed with your home university Exchange Advisor before making your selection. Please be aware that some courses carry a prerequisite, which means that one course must be completed before taking another. A copy of your graduate program transcript will be required at the time of application to review if you have met the prerequisites for your requested class selections. Courses available to exchange students vary from semester to semester. Please contact the Assistant Director for a listing of available courses during your semester of interest.

Final Course Selection Once your application and all the necessary information are received, you will receive an email indicating whether or not your preferred course selection has been approved. After making any changes, when the final course selection is in place, you will be registered for those classes through the Ahlers Center for International Business department.

**Note: If changes need to be made to your class schedule, you will have ten days after the first day of classes to do so. ESTIMATED STUDENT EXPENSES

SEVIS Fee (for student visa) $220.00 Expenses Recommended spending money in Visa Application Fee $110.00 San Diego for personal expenses (books, supplies, transportation) for Student Health Services Fee $170.00 one semester is approximately $1,800 USD.

Graduate Student Association Fees $30.00 Miscellaneous personal expenses include minimal expenses and do not include cost associated with travel to/ Student Life Pavilion Fee $35.00 from San Diego or within the during vacation periods. ~$1700 (fall or spring) Health Insurance (optional USD plan) ~$300/month (summer) Exchange Students are not required to live on campus or purchase a meal Living Expenses plan. Living cost off-campus will vary ~$6,000.00 (On-Campus Room and Board)* depending on student’s preferences.

Personal Expenses Exchange Students may opt to enroll $1,800.00 in health insurance through USD or (Books, Supplies, Transportation)* waive this coverage by demonstrating Transcript Processing Fee $10.00 enrollment in a comparable health insurance plan.

*Estimated Expenses Certification of Finances Students must demonstrate they have sufficient funds available for academic and living expenses. All documents must be original (no copies) and in English. All documents must be current (can not be more than 3 months old) at the time of application in order to be considered valid.

Description of necessary supporting documents:

FUNDS SOURCE: REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S):

Personal Funds Original Bank Statement

Family/Third-Party Sponsor Original Bank Statement AND Original letter of sponsorship (including duration of financial support, amount allowed to use, and relationship of the sponsor to you), stating you are allowed to use the funds for study in the United States. Sample of letter of sponsorship.

Home Government Funding Original scholarship letter from sponsoring organization outlining dates, amount, and terms of sponsorship

U.S. Government Funding Original scholarship letter from sponsoring organization outlining dates, amount, and terms of sponsorship

All other organizations’ funding Original scholarship letter from sponsoring organization outlining dates, amount, and terms of sponsorship

Health Insurance The University of San Diego requires that all international students maintain continuous health insurance coverage with certain minimum benefits including medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, among others. As a courtesy, students have the option of purchasing coverage through USD or waiving this coverage by demonstrating enrollment in a comparable health insurance plan.

Students who use their own health insurance will need to sign an online waiver and will still need to bring in the documentation of health insurance coverage as we are required by Federal Law to have this information in your student file before we can reverse your health insurance charges. You will receive more information about how to complete the online waiver closer to your arrival date. J-1 Student Visa

All Exchange Students traveling on a non-US passport must procure a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa prior to arrival. More information on the visa application process is provided to accepted participants.

A Form DS-2019, issued by USD’s Responsible Officer (RO) will be mailed to the student’s home university advisor approximately 3 weeks after they have completed their application. Students will need these documents to complete their J1 Visa application and appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate.

Checklist for applying for a J-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate

* Submit all requested items to USD via iTorero online platform * USD to issue form DS-2019 approximately three weeks after iTorero deadline * Pay online SEVIS fee to clear authorization for scheduling appointment at US Embassy/Consulate * Schedule visa appointment at Embassy/Consulate * Gather together all documentation needed to present at Embassy/Consulate * Applicants are required to submit an additional visa processing application fee (DS-160 fee) * Appear, in person, at the consulate/embassy to submit your application NOTE - you will be without your passport while the consulate/embassy is processing your visa * Return to consulate to retrieve your passport, DS-2019 and visa once processing is completed NOTE - some consulates/embassies will allow you to provide a self addressed, pre-paid mailing envelope to return to your documents to you once processing is complete

USD ACCOMMODATIONS Housing Students are responsible for securing their own accommodations during their stay in San Diego. The majority of MBA exchange students opt to live off campus. Applicants are encouraged to start researching off campus housing options shortly after nomination to participate in the program as the process can be time consuming. The Ahlers Center provides a resource booklet for students looking for off campus housing but is not able to secure off campus housing on behalf of students.

On-campus housing is limited. Students who wish to live on-campus are encouraged to notify the Office of Residential Life immediately: [email protected]

On-Campus Housing Resources: https://www.sandiego.edu/residentiallife/student-housing/graduate-law-housing.php

Dining/Meal Plans USD has a variety of dining facilities on campus and students may choose from a number of meal plans to best suit their needs. Cost range from $200 to $1,996 per semester.

More information can be found at: http://www.sandiego.edu/dining. Useful Websites

USD Homepage http://www.sandiego.edu/

Ahlers Center Homepage http://www.sandiego.edu/ahlers

Office of International Students and Scholars website http://www.sandiego.edu/oiss/

University of San Diego Virtual Tour http://www.sandiego.edu/admissions/virtualtour/

U.S. Visa Information for students https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us- visas/study.html

Office of International Students and Scholars https://www.sandiego.edu/international/oiss/current- Information Page Specific for J1 visa Holders students-j1.php

US Embassies and Consulates Abroad https://www.usembassy.gov/

Guide to Education in the USA by US State https://educationusa.state.gov/experience-studying- Department usa/experience-studying-usa