Global Academy 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. 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 Founded in 1888, USU has evolved from a small, agricultural college to one that internationally recognized for its intellectual and technological leadership in land, water, space and life enhancement. USU is comprised of eight colleges: the College of Agriculture, the Caine College of Arts, the Jon Huntsman School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, The College of Natural Resources, the College of Science, and the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. The university has more than 170 majors, 130 research-related classes and more than 140 graduate degrees. More than 900 international students, representing 90 countries are enrolled at USU. The main campus, with an area of 2.0 km, is located in the City of Logan.
Logan, Utah The City of Logan is located in Cache Valley in northern Utah, about 130 km north of Salt Lake City. Cache Valley has a population of approximately 127.945 residents; of which 49.534 live in Logan. The city has an extension of 42 sq km and an elevation of 7.296 meters above sea level. Morgan Quitno declared the Logan Metropolitan area one of the safest in the United States in 2005 and 2007.
Climate Winters in Logan are cold. There is usually snow, but the air is very dry. The average high/low temperatures in the month of January are -1/-11 Celsius; and 2/-9 Celsius in February. The average precipitation in January is 35.6 mm and 36.33 mm in February.
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 adapter socket. Hairdryers and electric razors cannot be used without a transformer.
Time The City of Logan is on Mountain Time zone. When the local time is 12:00 pm in Logan; the local time in your country is: Buenos Aires: 5:00 p.m. Seoul, Korea: 3:00 a.m.
Housing Students will live on campus and will either have kitchens and cooking supplies or meal plans so they can eat on campus. This is based on housing availability for the semester. 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. An efficient and free bus service serves the university and community, so students will have easy access to city services and activities.
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’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 Logan located at 75 West 200 North. It also has a convenient location in the lower level of the Taggart Student Center on the USU campus. The Logan office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 pm weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. The campus office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. It does not open on Saturdays. If you would like to receive mail while in Logan, you can use the residence hall address assigned to you upon arrival.
Shopping Logan is the business hub for the Cache Valley area so it offers a wide variety of stores, including major retail chains, and restaurants. You can use the free local transportation system to do your shopping.
Public Transportation Logan is served by a local FREE bus system called the Cache Valley Transit District (CVTD). The system consists of routes that serve Logan itself and North Logan. There are also routes that serve the northern and southern parts of Cache Valley.
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: Eric Sims- (435) 554-1164; eric.sims@usu.edu Shelly Hernandez- shelly.hernandez@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 Logan.
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 Logan. This information is also available online at: https://globalengagement.usu.edu/htm/programs/global-academy-winter Look for us on Facebook & Twitter: Global Academy of Utah State University & @USUGlobal, #GA_14
Embrace the Challenge at the Ropes Course
Students learn about sustainability on the USU Student Organic Farm!
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:
• Coat and sweatshirt • Outdoor clothes, they will get dirty (long pants) • Comfortable shoes/boots for outdoors walking on dirt paths and over rocky ground • Clothes appropriate for activities in the snow • Sunscreen, and a hat
Important Documents Make sure all of your important documents, such as visa, passport, DS-2019, 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 Cache Valley unless it is on a programmed excursion with the Office of Global Engagement. o Students may travel around Cache Valley using the free bus system provided by the Cache Valley Transit District.
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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Special education seminars
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Excursions
You Benefit: •
Build English language abilities
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Interact with local students and the community
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Visit local sites of cultural and recreational interest
Facebook: Global Academy of Utah State University
Twitter: @USUGLOBAL, #GA_14
Find us on the web: https://globalengagement.usu.edu /htm/programs/global-academy-winter For more information, please contact us at usu.global.academy@gmail.com