global academy summer pre-arrival information
DESCRIPTION
This magazine provides all the essential information a student will need to be comfortable and successful in Logan during the Global Academy Summer English and Cultural Immersion Program.TRANSCRIPT
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. 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.
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,
Utah State University
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
Summers in Logan are mild. The average high/low temperatures in the
month of June are 26/9 Celsius; July 32/12 Celsius; and August 31/11
Celsius. The average precipitation in June is 34.79 mm, in July it is 17.27
mm, and in August it is 22.35 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 Logan is on Mountain Time zone. When the local time is 12:00 pm in
Logan; 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. An efficient
and free bus service serves the university and community, so students will have
easy access to city services and activities.
Laundry Service
Cellular Phones
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.
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; [email protected]
Shelly Hernandez- [email protected]
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
Look for us on Facebook:
Global Academy of Utah State University
Students learn about sustainability on the USU
Student Organic Farm!
Embrace the
Challenge at the Ropes Course
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 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
• Cultural activities
• Housing
• Food allowance
• Special education seminars
• Excursions
You Benefit:
• Build English language abilities
• Make friends from all over the
world
• Interact with local students and
the community
• Visit local sites of cultural and
recreational interest
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 [email protected]