LIVING ABROAD
Can I drink the water?
Yes.
However, in many countries you will find that people drink bottled
water more often than tap water. Many people drink mineral water as
well.
Does ASA provide medical
insurance?
Yes. We provide medical insurance for all of our students through ACE American Insurance Company. Students' medical expenses are covered for up to $500,000 with no deductible. This insurance also provides an Emergency Medical Evacuation Benefit with coverage up to $250,000. Emergency Medical Evacuation means that if the student's condition warrants immediate transportation from the place where he/she is injured or sick to the nearest medical facility where the appropriate medical treatment may be obtained, then it is paid for by the insurance company up to $250,000. This also includes coverage for evacuation to the student's home country to obtain medical treatment if the doctors feel it is necessary.
Other benefits in our students' coverage include:
-Trip Interruption Benefit ($2,500 maximum): ACE American will reimburse the cost of your roundtrip economy air and/or ground transportation ticket up to the Benefit Maximum, if your trip is interrupted as a result of 1) the death or unforeseen illness of a close family member (parent, sister, brother, husband, wife, children or grandparent); 2) Substantial destruction of your principal residence by fire or weather related activity; 3) a medically necessary, covered Emergency Medical Evacuation returning you to the U.S.
-Trip Cancellation Benefit - Terrorism ($5,000 maximum): ACE American will reimburse you for the amount of non-refundable money you have paid for your trip, up to the Benefit Maximum, if you are prevented from taking your trip as the result of Terrorism. See your Description of Coverage to see what constitutes and act of terrorism.
-Political Evacuation and Repatriation Benefit ($2,500 maximum): If, due to political or military events in your host country, a formal recommendation from the appropriate authorities is issued for you to leave the host country, or if you are expelled or declared persona non-grata by the host country, ACE American will pay the usual and customary charges incurred for transportation to the nearest place of safety and for repatriation to your home country/country of residence, up to the Benefit Maximum. Evacuation and Repatriation must occur within 10 days of any such event. (This does NOT cover you if you have violated laws of the host country or failed to maintain or obtain required travel documents such as passport/visa, or if there is a Travel Warning in effect on or within 6 months prior to your date of arrival in the host country.)
One benefit that is of interest to parents is the Emergency Reunion Benefit.
In the event that a student will be hospitalized for an extended period and the doctor feels it would be beneficial to have a family member present, or is the victim of a felonious assault, the parent(s) will be reimbursed for travel and lodging expenses up to $12,500, with $300 per day for lodging and related expenses, for a ten-day duration.
Students will receive a description of coverage, medical insurance card and claim form, along with their pre-departure orientation guide that will be mailed to them about a month before the program begins.
In addition, all ASA students also receive emergency medical
evacuation services through Global Rescue (www.globalrescue.com) for the
official dates of their program. Global Rescue is available to
students 24/7/365. All ASA students are automatically enrolled with
Global Rescue as base members and receive the following
benefits:
- Access to a database of over 3,000 hospitals, clinics
and English-speaking physicians worldwide, including 70 "Center of
Excellence" hospitals that are affiliated with Johns Hopkins
Medicine or Harvard Medical School.
- Emergency medical
treatment and evacuation from wherever you are located to the
closest Center of Excellence hospital for evaluation, treatment and
in-patient hospitalization.
After the student has been
accepted, ASA will also send parents information about the option of
upgrading their son/daughter's Global Rescue coverage for a fee, to
include emergency medical evacuation to the student's U.S. hospital
of choice.
How do the cell phones work?
Each student receives a cell phone that is included
with the ASA program. ASA provides the phone, while you are
responsible for the cost of all your phone calls. The rates for
calls and text messages will be described in the phone's instruction
booklet that comes with your phone, or they are described when you
sign up for your phone online prior to departure (instructions to
come from ASA). The best part about these phones is that there is no
charge to you for incoming calls made to your int'l number, when
you're in your main country of study. You can also use most calling
cards from your cell phone to call home. In general, it is better to
purchase a phone card once you arrive abroad.
How
much spending money will I need to bring with me?
It
depends. Based on student responses from past programs, we recommend
the following:
Barcelona, Salamanca,
Sevilla, Madrid Summer, and London students:
Approximately $200 per week of your stay.
Madrid
Semester/Academic Year students: Approximately $250 per week
because the homestay provides breakfast and dinner, but not lunch.
France students: Approximately $250 per week because
the homestay provides most meals, but not all. France students will
have to pay for daily lunch and 1-2 dinners a week.
Ireland, Italy and Oxford students:
Approximately $250 a week, because no meals are included.
Vina del Mar students: Approximately $150 a week.
Buenos Aires students: Approximately $150 a week for
students who opt for a homestay. Approximately $200 a week for
students who opt for an apartment, because no meals are included
with the apartment option.
Please note that these are general guidelines based on what
past students have reported spending. Some students spend less, and
others more. The above figures do not account for traveling every
weekend, eating out a lot, or shopping every day. These figures may
seem high to you, but keep in mind they take into account spending
money for leisure activities, eating out occasionally, local
transportation (bus/metro pass, if applicable), the occasional taxi,
meals (if they are not included with the program already), and the
exchange rate.
If you DO plan to do a lot of shopping,
eating out, and traveling, you will naturally need to bring more
money! Be sure to think about what you plan to do while you're
abroad when you're planning out your budget.
Also, consider
the exchange rate when planning your budget. For the most current
exchange rates, go to http://www.xe.com/ucc.
What is the local currency?
England - British Pound Sterling
Spain -
Euro
Ireland (Republic of Ireland) - Euro (NOTE: Northern
Ireland's currency is the Pound. Dublin is located in the Republic
of Ireland, therefore, Dublin students will use the Euro.)
France - Euro
Italy - Euro
Chile -
Chilean Peso (CLP)
Argentina - Argentine Peso (ARS)
For the most
current exchange rates, go to http://www.xe.com/ucc.
How much money should I bring if I want to travel on
my own?
It depends on your mode of travel, destination,
and how many trips you want to take. The Internet can be very
helpful for pricing out your trips. Staying in youth hostels and
camping is much cheaper than spending the night in hotels. For this
kind of travel, plan on spending about $250 a week. If you plan to
camp, definitely bring a towel and possibly a sleeping bag! Check
the ASA pre-departure orientation guide (you'll receive this about a
month before your program begins) for a list of items we recommend
you bring if you're planning to travel on your own. Also, we
encourage all students to buy a student travel guides for your
country, such as Let's Go or Lonely Planet.
How will I
get money while I'm abroad? ATM card? Traveler's checks?
This
is covered in detail in the pre-departure guide that we'll mail you
about a month before your program begins. In brief, all students
should bring an ATM card (for getting cash on a regular basis); a
credit card (for emergencies); small amount of traveler's checks
(for emergencies).
Most students get cash abroad on a
day-to-day basis using their ATM card. It will give you the best
exchange rate of the day. Just be sure to ask your bank what the
withdrawal fee will be, because it's usually higher than it is at
home. You'll also need to notify your bank that you'll be using your
card outside the U.S., because sometimes banks have to remove a hold
on your card first.
When you make a purchase with a credit
card, you'll also get the best exchange rate of the day. Be sure to
let your bank and credit card companies know that you'll be
using your card abroad, because if they see that your card has been
used abroad but they were not notified, the bank may deactivate your
card for suspicion of theft.
Traveler's checks are still the
safest way to bring cash abroad, but they can be inconvenient and
expensive to exchange. Nonetheless, we feel it's still a good idea
to bring traveler's checks in a small amount (i.e. $200-$500), but
save them to use in case of emergency. For example, if your ATM card
is lost or stolen, it can take weeks to get a replacement card, and
in a situation like this it would be a big help to have some
traveler's checks to use, while you're waiting for your new card! We
don't recommend relying on traveler's checks are your only source of
cash though, because they can be inconvenient and expensive to
exchange. It's always best to exchange your traveler's checks at
someplace like American Express, as you can be assured of their
legitimacy and should get a better exchange rate. Plus, even if you
don't end up using your traveler's checks while you're abroad, you
can always use them when you get home. Always make copies of the
checks and receipts, and keep your receipts separate from your
checks, in case of loss or theft.
We don't recommend bringing
U.S. dollars in cash abroad, because the exchange rate for cash is
always the least desirable.
In any case, be sure to make
photocopies of the front and back of all ATM cards, credit cards,
and IDs you bring with you. That way, if your card is lost or
stolen, you'll have the number to call, and your account
number.
What types of housing are offered through
ASA's programs and how many meals are included?
Sevilla, Salamanca, Barcelona, Madrid
Summer - All students live with Spanish host families who
provide 3 meals a day and laundry once a week.
Madrid
(Semester/Academic Year) - Students live with Spanish host
families who provide daily breakfast and dinner and laundry once a
week.
France - Students in Aix-en-Provence and Avignon
live with French host families who provide daily breakfast, 6
dinners a week and one load of laundry per week. Students in Paris
live with French host families who provide daily breakfast and 5
dinners per week.
Dublin, Ireland - Students live in
on-campus apartments in the Griffith College Halls of Residence,
built in 2005. Each 2-bedroom apartment houses 4 students and has
its own bathroom and kitchen. No meals are included.
Rome and
Florence, Italy - Students live in shared student apartments. No
meals are included, since all apartments have a fully equipped
kitchen.
London, England - Students live on campus in the
dormitories in the Regent's College Residence Hall. Double
occupancy room is included. Includes a meal allowance of 60 Pounds
(approx. US$110) per week, and students are given a debit-system
meal card to use throughout the semester.
Oxford, England - Students live in
on-campus apartments in the Oxford Brookes Halls of Residence. Each
apartment has its own bathroom(s) and kitchen and houses 5-9
students; bedrooms are single-occupancy. No meals are
included.
Vina del Mar, Chile - Students live with Chilean
host families who provide 3 meals a day and laundry once a week.
Buenos Aires,
Argentina - Students have 2 housing options. 1) Live with an
Argentine host family who will provide daily breakfast and dinner (laundry not included).
2) Live in a shared student apartment with no meals included.
When will I find out where I'll be
living while I'm abroad?
ASA will notify you of your
living arrangements approximately 1-2 weeks before the start of your
program.
What if I don't like my host family in
Spain, France, Chile or Argentina?
If it is a problem
with the family and not a cultural misunderstanding, ASA will change
your family right away. There is on-site staff in every city who are
there to help students at all times with any issues they encounter
while abroad.
How are the host families chosen?
ASA staff personally interviews all of the families
before placing students in their homes. All students fill out a
Housing Questionnaire after they have been accepted, so that we can
match them with a family with whom we think they will be compatible.
ASA has placed students with many of these families before without
any problems, so we feel confident that students will be satisfied.
Will I have a roommate?
Yes, for the
majority of programs. See below for details specific to each program
location.
London - A double occupancy dorm room on
campus is included with the price of the program, so everyone will
have a roommate. If all double rooms are taken at the time you
apply, you would instead be assigned a triple room, based on
availability. There is only a handful of single rooms at Regent's,
and they are always in high demand; there is an additional charge of
approximately $1,100 for a single room. (NOTE: The fee for a single
room is approximate and is subject to change.) If you are going on
the ASA London program and want a single room, you would have to
apply very early because of the small number of single rooms
available (i.e. Apply at least 7 months prior to the program start
date). And, even then, you may still be placed on the wait list for
a single room. Sometimes, students on the wait list for a single
room are not allocated a room until they actually get to London,
because if a single doesn't become available before the program
starts, one might open up after the semester begins because of
another student dropping out. If you are on the wait list, know that
there are no guarantees, and remember to be patient!
Spain, France, Chile, Argentina -
Students may or may not have a roommate, as placing students with
host families is a complex process that depends on a lot of
different factors. If you have a preference either way, be sure to
note this on your Housing Questionnaire, and we will do our very
best to accommodate you. NOTE: Argentina students who opt for an
apartment will have a roommate and several suitemates, as bedrooms
are double occupancy.
Italy - All students will have a
roommate and several housemates, as the apartments are shared.
Dublin, Ireland - All students will have a roommate, as
the on-campus apartments have 2 double bedrooms each, for a total of
4 suitemates per apartment.
Oxford, England - Students
will have 4-8 suitemates, but bedrooms are single
occupancy.
If you have any concerns or questions about
housing, talk to an ASA representative at 888-845-4272.
Can I room with a friend? Will I find out who my
roommate is ahead of time?
Please keep in mind that if
you request to live with a friend, he/she must be of the same sex as
you.
Spain, France, Chile and
Argentina - Students in these countries may request to live
with a friend, by noting their preference on their Housing
Questionnaire, and we will do our best to accommodate you. Some host
families take in students from different programs at the same time,
so your roommate may be from ASA or from another program. If your
roommate is from another program, we are not able to tell you who
this will be ahead of time.
London, England - London
students attending Regent's College who want to room with a friend
must note this on their Course Pre-registration form. NOTE: ALL
London students who want to room with a friend are strongly
encouraged to apply early and speak with ASA to see if their
preference can be met. Applying late may result in diminished choice
of classes, housing and roommate. Students at London South Bank
University live in single rooms, so you may request to be in the
same suite as your friend(s).
Oxford, England - ASA
students may request to live with a friend, but since Oxford Brookes
University is solely responsible for housing allocations, there is
unfortunately no guarantee that you will actually be placed in the
same apartment or hall of residence as your preferred roommate.
Oxford students will meet their roommates upon arrival.
Dublin, Ireland - Dublin students who want to room
with a friend must note this on their Housing Questionnaire. ASA
students may be placed with roommates from the ASA program, from
another American study abroad program, or Irish or international
students. You can note your roommate preference on your Housing
Questionnaire, and we will do our best to accommodate you. If you
are going to be living with another ASA student, we should be able
to tell you this about a week or two before the program starts.
However, if one or more of your suitemates isn't from ASA, we are
not able to give you that information ahead of time.
Florence, Italy - Florence students who want to room
with a friend must note this on their Housing Questionnaire. If you
have requested to live with another ASA student, we will know if you
have both been placed in the same apartment about 1-2 weeks before
the program begins. If you have not requested to live with a
particular person, then unfortunately we do not know ahead of time
who your roommate or suitemates will be.
Will
my host family speak English?
No, but there's no need
to worry. Living with a family is the best way for you to learn
Spanish or French, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you will
improve. Also, don't forget that your host family has hosted
American students before, so they understand that you are there to
learn their language and want to help you.
What
should I bring with me on the trip?
A list of what to
pack will be included in your ASA pre-departure orientation guide,
which you will receive in the mail about a month before your program
begins.
Will I experience culture shock?
You might, but don't worry. Since everyone is different, people
experience and cope with culture shock in different ways. Reading
the section on culture shock in your orientation guide will help you
prepare for and understand what you are going through and hopefully,
make it easier.
What is the food like?
The food is great and will be typical of each host country. Be
prepared to try new things!
How many people go on
the trips and where are they from?
Depending on which
program you choose, the number of ASA students per group normally
varies from 10-40 students. Keep in mind that no matter which
institution you attend while you're abroad, that institution has
other students going there besides just ASA students, so you will
encounter students in your classes who are from outside the ASA
group. We have students from all over the United States, from
hundreds of different college and universities. Click here to see
the colleges and universities that past ASA students have come
from.
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