International Programs Participant Guide 2014-2015 Ghana 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 Health Matters & Health Care Facilities .......................21 Work ........................................................22 What About Alternates? . 5 Registering at the U.S. Embassy . 22 How Involved Do I Have to Be?................................5 Comments from a Former Participant ........................23 Communicating with The Office of International Programs (OIP) 5 Emergency Number .........................................23 IP Website....................................................5 Deadlines ....................................................5 Academic Arrangements Moving Before You Go? .......................................5 Introduction.................................................24 Do I Have to Register at my CSU Campus? .....................5 Academic Planning ..........................................24 Nonresident Students ........................................5 Availability of Courses .......................................24 Transfer Students.............................................6 Courses Crediting ...........................................25 Renewal Students ............................................6 While You Are Abroad . .26 Payment of CSU Tuition Fees ..................................6 Academic Reporting.........................................26 Housing Policies..............................................6 Assessment and Grading Systems............................27 Withdrawals..................................................6 Academic Policies ...........................................27 Refunds ......................................................7 Frequently Asked Questions . .31 Student Conduct .............................................7 Finances CSU International Programs Alcohol Policy ....................8 Financial Planning ...........................................32 CSU International Programs Statement on Sexual Harassment . 9 Explanation of Cost Estimate.................................32 Intercultural Gender Relations ................................9 The State of California Keeps Cost Down by Contributing Toward Privacy of Student Information................................9 the Program Costs...........................................33 Nondiscrimination Policy . 10 Changes to Program Cost ....................................33 Preparing For Your Year Financial Data Form .........................................33 Ready to Go? ................................................11 W-9S ........................................................33 Consular Information ........................................11 Payment ....................................................33 Passports....................................................11 Financial Aid - Procedures....................................33 Student Visa.................................................11 Financial Aid - Disbursement.................................34 The Visa Application Process: Your Responsibility .............11 When Can You Expect Your Financial Aid? ....................34 Non-U.S. Citizens ............................................12 OIP Emergency Loans .......................................34 Transportation ..............................................12 Certification of Enrollment ...................................34 Photographs ................................................12 Health and Safety Abroad International Student Identity Card (ISIC).....................13 Health & Medical Issues......................................35 Packing Tips.................................................13 Health Conditions Overseas..................................35 Electrical Appliances.........................................13 Health Insurance ............................................36 The Ghana Program Adjustment & Personal Safety................................36 The University of Ghana, Legon . 14 Consular Information ........................................37 The Host University Application..............................14 Final Note ...................................................37 Arrival.......................................................14 Agreement Orientation..................................................14 Nondiscrimination Policy . 38 Non-Citizen Identity Card ....................................15 Privacy Rights of Students in Education Records ..............39 Cultural Adjustment .........................................15 Student’s Copy ..............................................40 Registering for Classes .......................................15 Program Cost Estimate.......................................43 Academics ..................................................15 Withdrawals.................................................44 Housing & Meals ............................................15 Refunds .....................................................44 Water .......................................................16 Special Events ...............................................17 Computer/Internet Access . 17 Clothing ....................................................17 Telephones..................................................17 Money Matters & Banking . .18 Books about Ghana..........................................18 Local Transportation.........................................21 Vacation Travel ..............................................21 Mailing Address in Ghana....................................21 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? All participants are expected to read the following on- line resources: • Being an “alternate” means you’re on the waiting list. 1. Online Form Packet – Forms and deadlines • Alternates must complete all forms and make all pay- ments as if they were regular participants. 2. Academic Program Calendar - Program dates • You will be informed immediately if your status chang- 3. The IP Participant Guide – Program details and poli- es. cies 4. The IP Bulletin – Academic Program How Involved Do I Have to Be? • Being part of an established program involves commit- Deadlines ment. • At the top of your “Online Form Packet ” there is a check- • At times, you will be expected to behave as a member list including all deadline dates. Please use it. of a group, such as at the on-site orientation and in oth- • It is not necessary to send materials by overnight mail. er group activities. If you mail materials on the deadline, that’s OK. No need • Generally, you’ll have a great deal of independence, but to call us if you’ll be a day or two late. you must remember that your actions may affect your • Please make sure to mail all required documents by the group or future groups. deadline. Our office cannot accommodate students wishing to drop off items in person. Communicating with The Office of International Programs (OIP) Moving Before You Go? • From now on, all questions about your participation Anytime there is a change in your address, telephone, cell in the program should be addressed to OIP. phone or email between now and departure, send us a Change of Address /Contact Information form. This form • When making inquiries, we ask that you, and not your is included in your Online Form Packet. parents, contact us. • OIP is located in downtown Long Beach at the CSU Of- Do I Have to Register at my CSU Cam- fice of the Chancellor, not on the CSU Long Beach cam- pus as some mistakenly assume. Our address is: pus? CSU International Programs No. Do not register for classes at your home CSU campus 401 Golden Shore, Sixth Floor while you are on IP. OIP arranges this for you. Long Beach, California 90802-4210 Tel: (562) 951-4790 Nonresident Students For all pre-departure questions: [email protected] • Nonresident students are subject to nonresident tu- ition fees. For all academic questions: [email protected] • Participants are selected without regard to national For financial matters: [email protected] origin, citizenship, or residence status. In a competitive • We will communicate