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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a spouse or friend who is not in education attend the
Institute?
The Schools and Culture of Europe Summer Institute is an
educational experience. It is designed for educators and others who
want to study how schools in other countries educate children.
Accompanying persons can join the Institute, however it is expected that all
participants will be present at all class sessions, visit schools, and
attend presentations that provide information about education in other
countries. Accompanying persons cannot wander off on their own during
scheduled Institute activities. Individuals who are not interested in
participating in the Institute activities need to consider other travel
abroad options.
Are provisions made for participants who require special
diets?
Institute participants who require special diets or who
have limited food preferences may experience some difficulty finding
acceptable meals. We try to be sensitive to this issue (we can provide
vegetarian choices such as cheese dishes and salads) but we believe that
eating foods from other countries is an important cultural experience.
Meals we order for the group represent typical Dutch, German, and Belgian
dishes.
Where will we be staying while we are in Europe?
Participants are housed from a selection of hotels based
on four criteria: safety, location, space, and price. Safety is the
primary criterion; this is not a negotiable item. When we focus on
good location we often have to pay a higher price and rooms will be smaller.
Hotels that are in the heart of cities are much more expensive than those on
the outskirts and they are often very small because buildings in old cities
are not torn down to make way for new hotels. Hotels in the middle of
cities are built from existing structures and they involve very little space
because land is precious. So, if we want a safe place in a good
location, the price will be high and the rooms will be fairly small compared
to American standards.
Can I arrange my own transportation to the Summer
Institute?
Sometimes prospective participants ask about arranging
their own travel instead of traveling with the group. It is possible
to arrange your own travel, but it is imperative that you arrive on the same
day as the group. The program begins as soon as we arrive in
Amsterdam. The group fare includes ground transportation to and from
the hotels. Individuals who arrange their own airfare must provide
their own ground transportation to and from the airport.
Is it possible to extend my stay in Europe after the
Summer Institute?
If our travel agent is aware of extended travel plans
prior to the purchase of our tickets, extended stay in Europe for up to five
additional days can be arranged for little or no additional charge. It
is possible to stay beyond the five days, but the airlines will charge
extra. After we have purchased the tickets, there can be a considerable
charge to change your departure time.
Will I receive information about how to pack and
what to expect during the Summer Institute?
All participants are required to attend class sessions
prior to departure. At these meetings participants will receive
detailed information about the program, packing and what to expect while in
Europe.
How can I find out about course requirements if I
choose to enroll for course credit?
The Getting
Credit button will take you to the page that gives information about
course credit and there is a description of course requirements.
Will my family be able to
contact me during the Summer Institute?
Complete contact information
(telephone numbers, hotel addresses, and the itinerary) will be provided
prior to leaving. I recommend that that you take a prepaid calling
card with you so that calling home is easy.
Will there be time during
the Summer Institute for me to explore and travel on my own?
The last weekend includes two free days for individual
travel. However, participants who travel cannot cancel their hotel
rooms in Maastricht while they are away.
What happens if I get
sick?
Each of the countries we will
visit have first class medical care. In fact, there is a state-of-the-art
medical school and hospital in Maastricht. Doctors and dentists are
easily accessible and they speak excellent English. The University of
North Carolina through the Office of Study Abroad requires all participants
to purchase a supplemental health insurance policy. The policy costs
about one dollar a day.
Do I need any shots or
medications to visit Europe?
No shots are required to visit
Europe. However, the University of North Carolina system requires
study abroad participants to have a doctor's verification that the
participant is physically and mentally fit to travel abroad.
PLEASE NOTE:
THE SUMMER OF 2008 WILL BE THE LAST OPPORTUNITY
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER INSTITUTE
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Frequently
Asked Questions 
