| Q |
Where can I go?
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| A |
The Coast District offers three Fall semester programs. For 2003, Madrid, Spain will be offered in addition to Cambridge, England and Florence, Italy. There are two Spring semester programs--San Jose, Costa Rica and Paris, France. Brand new for 2003 is an Intersession Study Abroad program to Australia.
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| Q |
Who is eligible?
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| A |
Programs are open to anyone eligible to enroll in a California Community College and who is 18 years of age for semester programs, or older.
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| Q |
Can I take my children (or other dependents)?
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| A |
Children and other dependents can be included only if they register as full participants in the
program, meeting the above requirements.
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| Q |
How do I apply?
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| A |
Complete the application form, which is specific for each program, and send it with your deposit to the Coast District address. Enrollment is on a first-come, first served basis.
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| Q |
How can I get more information?
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| A |
Call the Coast District
Study Abroad Office, (714) 438-4704.
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| Q |
Do I need to have previous experience with the language of the country of my choice?
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| A |
No. Some experience is desirable, but not required. It's a good idea, whether you're a beginner or just want to improve your language skills, to study the language of the country while you're abroad.
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| Q |
Will I need a passport and/or visa?
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| A |
Everyone planning to study and/or travel abroad needs a passport. U.S. citizens
holding a current American passport do not need a visa to study in most of the
host countries sponsored by Coast Community College District. However, if you are not an American citizen, in addition to your national passport, you may need to obtain a visa for each country you plan to visit. If you intend to extend your study after the program is over, you will need a visa. Please check with the embassy or consulate of the country to which you are going.
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FINANCIAL MATTERS
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| Q |
Is Financial Aid available?
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| A |
If you qualify for financial aid, anything you
receive can be applied toward the study abroad semester. Contact the Financial Aid Office at
Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, California 92626, Tina Vu
(714) 432-0202 ext. 26466 or Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest Street,
Huntington Beach, CA 92647, Steve Mucciaro (714) 895-8394 for information and
application.
Please read this Financial Aid Information sheet for important information,
procedures and deadlines.
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| Q |
How much will the program cost?
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| A |
Basic fees for semester programs range from $4,600.00 to $6,800.00 and for Summer programs, $2,700.00 to $3,800.00. Most Coast programs include round trip airfare from Los Angeles, transportation to the study center, room, two meals or meal allowance, excursions and cultural events, and district medical coverage for each participant. Books, tuition of $11.00 a unit (hour, credit), personal expenses, living expenses during semester breaks, independent travel, gifts and other miscellaneous expenses are not included in the basic semester program cost. See program brochure for details about particular programs.
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| Q |
What are the tuition costs?
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| A |
For California residents, tuition is $11.00 per
unit. For non-California residents, it is $154.00 per unit. For International students, it is
$162.00 per unit. All students will be charged additional service fees of approximately
$15.00 for all programs.
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| Q |
If I qualify for financial Aid do I need to send in a deposit?
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| A |
If you want to transfer your credits to another college or university, it is your responsibility to check with that school to ensure transferability.
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| Q |
How much spending money will I need?
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| A |
This varies a great deal from student to student and
program to program. Returning students say that between $2000 and $3000 is enough
to cover living expenses during semester programs, and a limited amount of personal
travel for a semester program. Not including meals. Some students make it on less,
others considerably more. Plan on about $900 for summer long programs.
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| Q |
Should I bring American dollars, exchange money before I go or bring travelers' checks?
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| A |
See details under "Trip Information" for your study center location. In general, we recommend exchanging $50 to $100 into foreign currency before leaving
the States. Plan to cover your expenses with Travelers' Checks, a credit card (Visa seems to be most acceptable), and an ATM card. Be sure your ATM card has a 4-digit pin number; check with your bank to be sure it will be accepted abroad.
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| Q |
How can I get money in an emergency?
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| A |
Wiring money is possible but expensive. Better is to get a cash advance on your credit card. Or have someone at home deposit money into a checking account which you can access with an ATM card.
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| Q |
Can I work while studying abroad?
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| A |
Do not plan on funding any part of your semester abroad by working abroad.
Working without a permit and proper visa is illegal and could get you into
trouble. Also, the academic program is intense and you want to leave some time
for fun.
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| Q |
What happens if my
check bounces?
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| A |
You will be unable to
enroll. If you cannot enroll, you cannot go.
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HOUSING AND MEALS
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| Q |
Where will I live?
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| A |
Housing varies with the location. You will live in
student residence facilities in Paris, apartments in Florence, and with families in Costa
Rica, England, Ireland, and Spain.
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| Q |
Do I have to stay in the arranged housing?
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| A |
Yes, housing is arranged for all students as part of a package.
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| Q |
Will I be near other students in the program?
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| A |
Yes, more or less depending on the living arrangements. Private homes tend to be more spread out but generally within a 5 mile radius of the study center. Apartments in Florence are almost all within walking distance of each other.
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| Q |
Are there other American study abroad programs near our facilities?
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| A |
Yes, there are both group programs and many individual American students in each study center location.
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| Q |
What meals are included?
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| A |
Again, this varies with the location. Family stays include two meals a day with the family. Apartment stays include a meal allowance and you will prepare your own meals.
Residence facility stays include a meal allowance which can be used to purchase meals in student cafeterias
or in local restaurants.
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| Q |
What's the difference between continental breakfast and American (full) breakfast?
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| A |
Continental usually means coffee, tea, rolls, butter and jam. Full breakfast means the addition of juice, eggs and possibly some kind of meat.
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| Q |
What if I'm a vegetarian?
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| A |
Families are generally willing to accommodate vegetarians, but it is important to be clear about it in your housing application. There is plenty to choose from in student cafeterias, and, of course, if you're cooking your own meals, this won't be a problem at all.
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| Q |
Who will be my roommate?
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| A |
You can choose to room with someone or the service provider will match you based on housing questionnaires completed by students and families.
Some programs will offer you the opportunity to room with a friend or spouse
(who is also a participant in the program).
Please make sure that both of you indicate this on your paperwork which you
would send to the service provider.
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| Q |
Can I have a private room?
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| A |
Yes, but there is an extra charge for a private room--usually about $500 for the semester.
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| Q |
How far from the study center will my family/dorm/apartment be?
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| A |
All lodging facilities are within walking distance or a short bus ride--not more than 3 to 5 miles away.
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| Q |
What amenities are included in the lodging?
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| A |
Bedding, desk, closet or wardrobe and shared bathroom. Apartments are fully-equipped.
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| Q |
When will I receive details of my housing assignment?
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| A |
Usually about two weeks before departure.
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| Q |
What if I don't like my lodging facility?
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| A |
If the matter cannot be resolved you will be moved.
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ACADEMICS
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| Q |
What university will I be attending abroad?
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| A |
Coast programs are not formally affiliated with universities abroad. Coast faculty accompany students and teach their own classes using facilities of language schools or other institutions. Local faculty often teach language classes and/or other classes needed to add variety to the curriculum.
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| Q |
Will I have access to services or facilities of universities abroad?
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| A |
In general, no. The program arranges access to local libraries and other facilities for study abroad students.
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| Q |
Can I use my laptop abroad?
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| A |
You may consider
bringing your laptop or other electronic device with you to Europe
or to Costa Rica. Take into consideration that the voltage, as well
as the shape of the plug needed for the electrical outlet, may be
different from what we're used to in North America. Electronic
devices which use an AC adapter may be marked '100 to 240 volts AC',
so that all you'll need is an adapter for the wall outlet. Double
check with the manufacturer just to be sure.
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| Q |
Who grants my credits?
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| A |
One or more of the three campuses of the 55,000
student Coast Community College District. Orange Coast College was established in
1947, Golden West in 1966 and Coastline in 1976. All are accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges, a nationally recognized regional accrediting
agency. Classes offered through the study abroad program are taught according to the
same rigorous standards as those on campus in California. They are transferable to the
California State Universities and most are articulated as transferable to the University
of California. See individual program brochures for classes offered. If you want to transfer your credits to another college or university, it is your responsibility to check out that school to ensure transferability.
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| Q |
How do I register for classes
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| A |
You will be enrolled in
one or more of the three colleges within the Coast Community College
District. The three colleges are Coastline, Golden West, and Orange
Coast. Enrollment for your classes takes place about two months
before the start of classes.
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| Q |
How many classes will I take abroad and when would they be scheduled/offered?
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| A |
For semester programs, you will enroll as a
full-time student (minimum 12 units). Most often this means four 3-unit classes chosen from nine or more classes
offered. Classes are taught Monday through Thursday between 9 am and about 5 pm with no
overlap between classes so you are free to enroll in any class offered. Summer
Study Abroad students need only enroll in at least one class, which is between two
to five units. Exact schedules are published about a month before departure but are
subject to change. See individual program brochure for details.
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| Q |
Where do I get my books?
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| A |
Detailed reading lists are provided and books are available at the Orange Coast College bookstore about one month before departure. They are also available directly from the publishers.
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| Q |
Can I participate without enrolling in a class?
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| A |
No, all participants must enroll as students in order to go.
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| Q |
Will I get a transcript of my work abroad?
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| A |
You can request a transcript directly from the Records Office
of the colleges following the program. The request must be in writing, with your signature,
Student ID number and the address. Two official transcripts are provided free. At this time, the transcripts do not indicate that the work was done abroad. If you need certification that you studied abroad, a letter will be provided by the Study Abroad Office.
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| Q |
Can I repeat a
class?
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| A |
You may not repeat a
class which you had taken previously and passed successfully.
However, some classes offered may be taken repeatedly. These are
indicated as 'AD' (or similar), such as 'Art 102AD'. We
will not be able to process your class enrollment should you owe any
money to the three colleges in the Coast Community College District.
Examples of this would be: having an overdue parking ticket, late fees,
a bounced check, or an overdue library book. You must take care of all outstanding
financial obligations before you are allowed to register.
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INSURANCE/MEDICAL
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| Q |
Is insurance included in my fees?
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| A |
The International Student I.D. card includes very basic medical and accident insurance.
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| Q |
What if I get sick or hurt?
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| A |
There are English-speaking doctors and modern medical facilities in all locations. Detailed information is provided when you arrive at the study center. Support staff in all locations are experienced in handling all types of medical emergencies abroad.
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| Q |
Do I need immunizations?
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| A |
Coast Community College District follows the State Department guidelines under which no immunizations are currently required for any country in which Coast study centers are located. Check with your physician if you plan on traveling to out of the way or exotic places.
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TRANSPORTATION
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| Q |
Do I have to take the group flight?
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| A |
You will be asked to give written notice if you plan to make your own transportation arrangements. The cost of the flight will be deducted from your final program payment. However, the cost of the flight may not be considered part of the program fees. Don't forget that 'frequent flier miles' may be used! You will be responsible for getting yourself from the airport to the study center location at the same time the other students arrive.
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| Q |
When will I know about my travel arrangements?
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| A |
Group flights are arranged for all students. You will be notified as soon as the information is available, usually
three weeks or more prior to departure.
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| Q |
Can I request a special meal or seat assignment?
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| A |
Special meals requests must be made directly with the airline 4 days prior to departure. Special seat assignments can be requested ahead of time but may have to be made at check-in.
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| Q |
Can I get frequent flyer miles for my flight?
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| A |
Yes. When you check in you can request that your frequent flyer account be credited.
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| Q |
Can I get frequent flyer miles toward my trip cost?
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| A |
No. You may purchase the land only portion of the trip and make your
own travel arrangements using your frequent flyer miles.
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| Q |
How much baggage can I take?
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| A |
First, travel light! Take only what you can comfortably manage on your own walking several blocks including up and down stairs. On international flights you are allowed two pieces of luggage, 70 pounds each. Detailed packing and baggage information is provided during orientation before departure.
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| Q |
Can I extend my stay?
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| A |
Study abroad flights normally allow you to extend your stay up to a total of six months. Arrangements need to be made at least 45 days before departure and there may be an additional fee. There is no guarantee that changes can be made after arrival; if so, there will most certainly be a fee of
at least $100.
A stay of more than three months requires a visa in most countries. If you are
planning to extend your stay, make sure you have secured a visa before
departing. You will need a visa added to your passport for each country you plan
to visit. We recommend that you visit in person the country's embassy before
you leave the United States. It is a good idea to allow at least a month for
each visa needed.
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| Q |
Once I'm there, will
I have access to local transportation?
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| A |
Yes, bus, subway (Paris metro, London tube), and train transportation is efficient in Europe. The Costa Rican bus system is efficient and
at a low cost. In some programs, transportation passes are included.
See individual program brochures for details.
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| Q |
Are there group excursions?
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| A |
Each semester program has at least one weekend (overnight) excursion plus two or more day trips. See individual program brochures for details.
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| Q |
Is there time for me to travel on my own?
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| A |
Yes. Most of the time you will have three-day weekends because there are no classes on Fridays. Also, the European semester
programs have a ten day break mid-semester. You may want to consider purchasing
Eurail tickets before you leave the United States. Other options are to purchase
train tickets while there, or even flying from city to city.
More questions? Please
contact us:
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