Global Academy Summer English and Cultural Immersion Program
Living In the United States All the basics so you can be prepared
What to bring??? Use the packing list to make sure you don’t forget a thing!
Program Objectives Make the most of your time!
PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION The following information is intended to help you prepare for your visit to Utah State University – College of Eastern Utah. Please make sure you read it thoroughly, if you have any questions do not hesitate to let us know. We are looking forward to your participation in the program and hope to see you soon.
Utah State University – College of Eastern Utah is a comprehensive community college committed to the highest standards of instruction and learning. USU Eastern prepares students through certification, degrees, and transfer programs and seeks to provide a complete campus experience for both traditional and non-traditional students. The college educates and assists students with their social, physical, intellectual, cultural, and emotional development. USU Eastern strives to help instill the curiosity and skills necessary for a student to continue learning throughout life. The College is committed to respond to the educational needs of the communities it serves.
Price, Utah The City of Price is located in Carbon County in southeastern Utah, about 190 km south of Salt Lake City. Price has a population of approximately 8.700 residents. It is within a short driving distance to many of Utah’s world famous travel destinations: Moab, Arches National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Zion National Park, etc.
Climate Summers in Price are mild . The average high/low temperatures in the month of June are 29/10 Celsius; July 32/13 Celsius; and August 31/12 Celsius. The average precipitation in June is 17.78 mm, in July it is 22.86 mm, and in August it is 33.02 mm.
Electric Appliances In the United States the electrical current is between 110-120 volts AC using a standard three-pin plug. Some visitors may need an adaptor socket. Hairdryers and electric razors cannot be used without a transformer.
Time The City of Price is on Mountain Time zone. When the local time is 12:00 pm in Price; the local time in your country is: Santo Domingo: 2:00 p.m. Kinshasa, DRC: 8:00 p.m. Sana’a, Yemen: 10:00 p.m. Seoul, Korea: 3:00 a.m.
Housing Students will stay in apartment-style accommodations with kitchens, so they can cook meals according to their individual tastes. Students will be provided with a meal allowance to purchase meals/food supplies. Students can also use their food stipend to purchase individual meals on or off campus. The apartments will be shared with students from other countries. This provides an opportunity for participants to practice their English skills and to learn about other cultures. The residences are located within easy walking distance of campus.
Laundry Service There are washing machines (washers) and drying machines (dryers) in the residence complex. Instructions for using washers and dryers are posted in the laundry room. Instructions on how to operate these machines will also be given during orientation. You must supply your own laundry detergent.
Cellular Phones Your current cell phone may work in the USA, however you may end up paying high rates. A calling card will be provided upon arrival, you can also buy one at most local stores or purchase a prepaid cell phone.
Internet Access You will have Internet access on USU Eastern’s campus and at your place of residence. More details will be given during orientation.
Post Office The United States Postal Service has an office in Price located at 95 South Carbon Ave. It also has a convenient location on the USU Eastern Campus. The Price office is open from 9:00am 5:00pm weekdays and from 9:00am - 12:00pm on Saturday. The campus office is open as follows: Mon - Wed - Fri
10:00 am - 12:00 pm (noon) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tue - Thu
10:00 am - 12:00 pm (noon) 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sat, Sun
Closed
Holidays
Closed
If you would like to receive mail while in Price, you can use obtain a Post Office Box number at the campus Post Office.
Shopping Price offers a wide variety of stores, including major retail chains, and restaurants.
Public Transportation Price does not have bus or train service. There is a local taxi service available.
U.S. Classroom Culture Many international students find American university classrooms very different than those of their home country; particularly in the way students interact with their professor. You should treat your professor as an equal, but also as a respected expert in his or her field. Often classroom sessions will include interactive discussions and group activities, as well as hands-on projects and presentations. Students are expected to be active learners, sharing their opinions and ideas and asking questions when they do not understand. You should feel sharing your views even if they are different from your professor’s. Remember to do it in a respectful and polite manner. This topic will be discussed in more detail during orientation.
U.S. Classroom Culture In the U.S.; all denominations of paper money are the same size and color (green): $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100. Quarters are 25 cent coins, dimes are 10 cent coins, nickels are 5 cent coins, and pennies are 1 cent coins. There are also larger, gold-colored $1 coins. $1 is equivalent to 100 cents. Banks are usually open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 9:00 – 12:00p.m.
Travel to the U.S. In case of an emergency while en route, please contact: Steve Nelson- (435) 613-5474; steven.nelson@usu.edu We will have members of our office meet you at the Salt Lake City airport. They will accompany you on the bus ride to Price.
Important Notes • Participants are required to depart the U.S. at the end of the program. • Participants are not allowed to travel within the U.S. other than on program related activities • Participants are not authorized for any type of employment • It is not possible to directly enroll in a USU degree program after completion of the program. Participants who are interested in studying at USU in the future can inquire about the various USU degree programs while they are in Price. This information is also available online at: https://globalengagement.usu.edu/htm/programs/global-academy Look for us on Facebook: Global Academy of Utah State University
RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST While in town you can dress casual (jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes), to business casual or formal, depending on the occasion. However, you will be going on field trips, so we recommend you include the following in your packing list: • Sweatshirt or jacket, and rain jacket or rain pants • Outdoor clothes, they will get dirty (long pants) • Comfortable shoes for outdoors walking on dirt paths and over rocky ground • Clothes appropriate for water activities, you will get wet, possibly cold • Water shoes/athletic shoes for water activities • Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat
Important Documents Make sure all of your important documents, such as visa, passport, airline tickets, important phone numbers and address, are in a safe place to be carried on your person or in your carry-on baggage. Do not put important documents in bags you have checked onto the plane. We recommend you make copies of these important documents and keep them separate from the original ones, in case that any of these are lost or stolen. Also bring copies of important medical records, eyeglass prescription, allergies, etc.
Luggage Please check with your airline to confirm the luggage weight and measurement restrictions for your flight. You will be responsible for any excess baggage fees charged. For travel to the United States, you will be usually allowed two suitcases. However, we kindly request that you only bring one suitcase. We do not have the capacity to accommodate more than one suitcase per participant in our vehicles. You may bring one piece of carry-on baggage on the plane, as well as a handbag, briefcase or small backpack.
You Do Not Need to Bring Sheets, blankets, pillows, cookware, dishes, bath towels, or school supplies. These items will be provided by the program. You will also be taken to one of the major retail stores in town the day of your arrival. This will allow you to purchase any other items, which you may deem necessary.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES The purpose of the Global Academy program is to provide students with an opportunity to perfect their English through classroom instruction and community interaction, to introduce them to the higher education system of the United States, and to change students’ lives as they interact with other cultures and learn self-reliance. Because this is such a unique and special experience, it is expected that participants will behave with the utmost responsibility and respect. The following policies have been put in place to help each student have a safe and enjoyable experience in the Global Academy. • Class Attendance o A great deal of work goes into preparing each day of class. Attendance and participation show respect for the teachers who work hard for their students. o Two unexcused absences are grounds for dismissal from the program. • Excursion Attendance o Like classes, excursions have been carefully planned to help students apply their learning while having an enjoyable time. o Attendance for excursions is mandatory. • Cell Phone Use o Students should be respectful to their teachers and other program personnel by turning off cell phones during classes and only using them when appropriate on excursions. o Teachers and program personnel reserve the right to temporarily confiscate electronics if they feel the devices are creating a distraction for their classes. • No Alcohol o Alcohol is not allowed in any of the apartments used during the Global Academy program, no exceptions. o Utah State University is a dry campus, which means that no alcohol is allowed on campus, whether it is being consumed or not. • Smoking o Smoking is not allowed in any form in the apartments used during the Global Academy program. There are designated areas both on and off campus where smoking is allowed. • No Travel Policy o The Global Academy maintains a strict No Travel policy. Students may not leave the Price City area unless it is on a programmed excursion with the Office of Global Engagement.
Program is All-Inclusive: •
English language classes
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Cultural activities
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Housing
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Food allowance
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Build English language abilities
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Special education seminars
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Excursions
Make friends from all over the world
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Interact with local students and the community
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Visit local sites of cultural and recreational interest
You Benefit:
Facebook: Global Academy of Utah State University Find us on the web: https://globalengagement.usu.edu /htm/programs/global-academy For more information, please contact Eric Sims at usu.global.academy@gmail.com