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PREPARE YOURSELF FOR AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE! CONSIDER THIS: By this time next year, you could be a secondsemester College of Charleston student who spent your first semester soaking up the atmosphere of college life outside the U.S. Think how cool it would be to study British theatre (and pick up three humanities credits) – in London! Or explore the Eternal City and learn about Italian culture against the backdrop of the Colosseum in Rome! Or earn three environmental science credits studying sustainability near the mountain trails and pristine lakes of Kelowna, British Columbia. Alternatively, you can dig into the past, present and future of Ireland’s media in a period of rapid economic and technological change (for three communications credits) – in Dublin!
In your “free time” you can get out and explore your city. Enjoy sporting events, the theatre, museums, outdoor activities and so much more. You’ll return to CofC with 15 academic credits, lasting connections and an international experience that will give you a competitive edge for the rest of your learning career and beyond. APPLY NOW, spend your first semester abroad in one of four amazing locations, complete the program requirements and transfer your earned academic credits.
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DUBLINQKELOWNA a b ou t iC HAR L ESTO N HERE'S YOUR CHANCE
to become part of a revolutionary firstyear program that will challenge you, expand your horizons and help you develop perspective on issues that will prepare you to be a citizen of the world. And when you’ve successfully completed the iCharleston program, you will transfer up to 15 credits to the College of Charleston for the spring semester, and you’ll be on your way to an extraordinary college experience. iCharleston participants live and study in Dublin, Kelowna, Rome or London, where the College of Charleston has set up academic programs with partner institutions. Whether you want to soak up the culture of Ireland, admire the historical buildings of central London, enjoy Rome’s many cultural delights or do groundbreaking research in the Canadian mountains, iCharleston has something for everyone. In Kelowna, our iCharleston partner is the University of British Columbia, ranked 37th in the world in 2019. In Dublin and London, it’s the Foundation for International Education, providing high-quality educational experiences to the global community since 1998. The American University of Rome hosts our program in the Eternal City’s beautiful Trastevere neighborhood.
At each location there will be a dedicated iCharleston site director – a College of Charleston graduate who has several years of experience working with first-year students. He or she will be a mentor, program coordinator and sounding board. iCharleston staff will escort you and your peers to and from your home away from home, and help you make the transition to your new educational environment. As the semester progresses, the site director will also organize events and coordinate visits that College of Charleston faculty and staff will make to your location. During the spring semester in Charleston, your site director will be part of your new support system at the College of Charleston, helping you settle in and adjust to campus life.
AQLONDONQROME iCHARLESTON EXPERIENCE 1 2
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Decide whether iCharleston is the right program for you. In order to secure your place, complete the application and submit your nonrefundable deposit today. Attend iCharleston family orientation on the College of Charleston campus during the summer of 2020. Travel with your peers and College of Charleston staff to your location in August.
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Successfully complete all iCharleston requirements. Enjoy your semester abroad experience and develop a global perspective. Return to the U.S. with your new friends and iCharleston site director in December. In January, move on campus as a full-time College of Charleston student. Attend new student orientation, register for academic classes and begin your career as a student in Charleston.
iCHARLESTON LOCATIONS • Age limitations are set by our host institutions and must be strictly adhered to in the iCharleston application phase.
H Dublin Business School
(DUBLIN) – must be 17 upon arrival
H University of British Columbia Okanagan (KELOWNA) – must be 17 upon arrival
H Foundation for International Education (LONDON) – must be 18 prior to arrival
H American University of Rome
(ROME) – must be 18 prior to arrival
• Each iCharleston partner institution has a specific academic direction. Review the curriculum and select a location based on your educational interests. NOTE: Locations are assigned on a first-response, first-served basis. However, age restrictions, student cohort allowances and secondary admissions processes at some sites can alter your top choice. NOTE: American holidays, like Thanksgiving, are not celebrated in other countries. Classes will be held on those holidays and students are required to attend classes. Additionally, absenteeism can result in the revoking of immigration status. NOTE: Students must complete 90% of the iCharleston program on-site at their chosen location.
NOTE: Nothing in this booklet constitutes a contract.
NOTE: Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) cannot be utilized for any iCharleston location nor the iCharleston program. Full payment of fees are due directly to our partners and CofC does not determine payment deadlines. Payment deadlines differ from one location to the next and no payment plans are available.
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DUBLIN B U SI NE S S S C H O OL THE DUBLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL (DBS) campus is located in the heart of Dublin near St. Stephen’s Green and the Grafton Street shopping district. Immerse yourself in Irish life and culture in the center of the city, and study in the midst of historic churches and castles, all within reach of the emerald green Irish countryside. When you arrive in Dublin, you’ll participate in a comprehensive, on-site orientation program during which Foundation for International Education (FIE) and DBS staff will help you acclimate to your new environment. iCHS
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Enjoy the cultural experiences of studying abroad as a firstsemester participant with a cohort of peers under the leadership of a College of Charleston site director. H
The Irish have a knack for making visitors feel right at home. When you want to explore your “neighborhood,” take in (l-r) Dublin Castle, dramatic seascapes, Trinity College and try some traditional Irish dancing.
ACADEMICS DBS faculty will lead all classes, providing additional support and interaction outside of the classroom through cocurricular learning experiences. All iCharleston participants will enroll in FIE’s key course – Irish Life and Cultures. Students will embark on two study tours that will provide context for the topics covered in the classroom – one to Northern Ireland (Belfast and Derry) and the other to Western Ireland (Galway, Connemara and the Aran Islands). The site director will be with you every step of the way, learning the material at the same pace you do. You’ll also take College Writing, which fulfills your CofC ENGL 110 freshman writing requirement. Students will complete FIE’s “First Year Forward,” a multidisciplinary program that contextualizes the Irish experience abroad. On top of that, students will select three additional classes and all courses will transfer into the College of Charleston, so long as you complete each of them with a grade of C or better.
DUBLIN HOUSING iCharleston participants will live in fully furnished apartments in Binary Hub, which is near Dublin city center. This is a fully secure location with FIE residence life staff members available 24/7. FIE main offices are also located here. Each apartment has multiple bedrooms and includes a fully equipped, fully supplied kitchen and common space. (Dublin does not offer a meal plan.) As a resident, you’ll have access to and the support of live-in residence life supervisors. Your dedicated iCharleston site director lives close by as well. The staff will organize group activities such as outings to the theatre and sporting and cultural events, and your site director will also plan programs and events that bring all participants together throughout the semester.
Part of Dublin’s charm is its combination of the old and historic with the modern and new. Some examples are (l-r) the Dublin Spire, the amazing Samuel Beckett Bridge, ever-present street musicians and tranquil street scenes. Following page (l-r) Skerries Windmill, Temple Bar Street, Dublin’s Museum of Modern Art and the marina.
Participants will take classes on the campus of Dublin Business School. It is a 20-minute walk from Binary Hub to the campus, but there is public transportation as well. A 10-minute bus ride takes you into the city center and the DBS campus.
EXPENSES $19,995* includes: • 15 transferable academic credits upon successful completion of the iCharleston program. • Shared apartment-style living with 24-hour security. • Orientation program. • iCharleston site director supporting academic and social transition to Dublin. • iCharleston-specific programming. • Associated tours for Irish Life and Cultures course.
* NOTE: All costs are subject to change. No financial aid is available for this location.
DUBLIN TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO: 1 EPIC Museum - learn about Irish history and emigration 2 National Gallery 3 National Museum of Ireland 4 Irish Museum of Modern Art
6 St. Stephen’s Green 7 South Wall Walk 8 Trinity College and Library 9 Phoenix Park 10 Samuel Beckett Bridge
5 The Science Gallery
“ I strongly suggest to my fellow CofC students to study abroad because it is a chance of a lifetime. I will tell amazing stories about my time here in Dublin, the people I have met, and the places I have seen.”
— iCharleston ‘19 student
SAMPLE CLASS SCHEDULE* MONDAY EVENT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS
9:00 A.M. — 10:00 A.M.
WAR AND PEACE IN THE 20TH CENTURY
12:00 P.M. — 2:00 P.M.
TUESDAY PASSPORT TO COFC
9:15 A.M. — 10:45 A.M.
IRISH LIFE AND CULTURES PART 1
11:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
IRELAND’S MEDIA
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
IRISH LIFE AND CULTURES PART 2
4:00 P.M. — 5:00 P.M.
WEDNESDAY IRELAND’S MEDIA
10:00 A.M. — 11:00 A.M.
COLLEGE WRITING
12:00 P.M. — 1:00 P.M.
THURSDAY IRISH LIFE AND CULTURES PART 3
12:00 P.M. — 1:00 P.M.
WAR AND PEACE IN THE 20TH CENTURY
3:00 P.M. — 4:00 P.M.
FRIDAY EVENT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS
9:00 A.M. — 11:00 A.M.
COLLEGE WRITING
12:00 P.M. — 2:00 P.M.
* NOTE: FIE and iCharleston do not tolerate absences from class and participants can lose their study visa if they are not present for class. Sample schedule from fall 2019 iCharleston program.
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KELOWNA u n iv er s ity of B RI TI SH COLUM B I A CONSISTENTLY RANKED AS ONE OF CANADA’S top-three institutions and well-known throughout the world, the University of British Columbia offers a wealth of academic and social opportunities for iCharleston participants. UBC Okanagan (UBCO) is a small, distinctive campus characterized by an intimate learning community that embraces bold new ways of thinking. The student experience is central to UBCO’s mission. When you arrive in the Okanagan, the iCharleston site director will have a variety of planned events to familiarize you with UBCO and the surrounding area. You’ll also participate in CREATE, an orientation program, with other first-year students from local, national and international backgrounds to prepare yourself for the fall semester.
If you like the outdoors, you’re going to love Kelowna. (l-r) Soak up the atmosphere of downtown, hike the local trails, make the most of the local environs — with or without snow.
ACADEMICS UBCO hosts more than 8,000 students from all over the globe. Here, students work with one another and their professors on a daily basis, while becoming global citizens through interaction with their community and the world. During your time on campus, UBCO will host world-renowned figures including authors and speakers. And faculty presentations will allow you to further investigate personal areas of interest. All iCharleston participants will enroll in one key course – Sustainability: People, Places, and Process, which your site director will take with you. In addition to your experience in the classroom, you’ll enjoy many off-campus learning opportunities. During a special course registration period for iCharleston participants, you will select four remaining courses. All the courses will transfer into the College of Charleston, so long as you complete each of them with a grade of C or better.
KELOWNA HOUSING iCharleston participants will live in a fully furnished single room (with shared bathroom) in a traditional residence hall on the UBCO campus – no more than a five-minute walk from any class. (In addition, Kelowna offers a meal plan that covers 21 meals a week.) As a resident, you’ll have access to and the support of UBCO resident advisors and the iCharleston site director, who also lives on campus. They will organize activities such as outings to the galleries, theatres and artists’ studios in the cultural district of town. Public buses can take you anywhere you need to go in the city and the region. Kelowna is known for its outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, water sports, golf, snowboarding and skiing, all of which are on or near the UBCO campus.
Kelowna’s outdoor playground offers everything from (l-r) fly fishing to rock climbing, to kayaking on Lake Okanagan and mountain biking.
As a full-time student at UBCO, you can also take advantage of all of the benefits of campus life, including organizations, clubs and student resources, and we’ll even throw in a bus pass for you to get around town.
EXPENSES $18,995* includes: • 15 transferable academic credits upon successful completion of the iCharleston program. • On-campus "Bronze" semester meal plan (21 meals/week). • Single room with shared bathroom and 24-hour security. • "CREATE" orientation program. • iCharleston site director supporting academic and social transition to Kelowna. • iCharleston-specific programming. • Local BC Transit pass for the fall semester.
* NOTE: All costs are subject to change. No financial aid is available for this location.
KELOWNA TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO: 1 Hiking/biking trails
6 Okanagan
2 UBCO Heat Athletics
7 Farmers Market
3 Okanagan Lake
8 Kasugai Gardens
4 Student Recreation Center
9 Stuart Park
5 Big White Ski Resort
10 Cultural District
on campus
Heritage Museum
“ Everyone should go on an adventure at least once in their life. Go through many places and meet new people and you will gain a whole new respect for the world you live in. ” — iCharleston ‘19 student
Make sure you do some (l-r) downhill skiing at Big White Ski Resort and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Okanagan Valley before you leave.
SAMPLE CLASS SCHEDULE * MONDAY SUSTAINABILITY
9:30 A.M. — 10:30 A.M.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
2:00 P.M. — 3:30 P.M.
TUESDAY INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
9:30 A.M. — 11:00 A.M.
INTRODUCTION TO INDIGENOUS STUDIES
11:30 A.M. — 1:00 P.M.
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
2:00 P.M. — 3:30 P.M.
WEDNESDAY SUSTAINABILITY
9:30 A.M. — 10:30 A.M.
PASSPORT TO COFC
11:00 A.M. — 12:30 P.M.
THURSDAY INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
9:30 A.M. — 11:00 A.M.
INTRODUCTION TO INDIGENOUS STUDIES
11:30 A.M. — 1:00 P.M.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
2:00 P.M. — 3:30 P.M.
FRIDAY SUSTAINABILITY
9:30 A.M. — 10:30 A.M.
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
2:00 P.M. — 3:30 P.M.
* NOTE: UBCO and iCharleston do not tolerate absences from class and participants can lose their study visa if they are not present for class. Sample schedule from fall 2019 iCharleston program.
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LONDON f o u ndation f or I N TERNAT I ON A L EDU CAT I O N (F I E ) LONDON, ONE OF THE FOREMOST CULTURAL and economic centers of the world, will provide a great foundation for your study-abroad experience. You’ll live and study near some of the city’s most famous landmarks such as the Royal Albert Hall, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. Convenient access to the Tube, London’s iconic subway system, will make it easy for you to explore the city in your free time, and a pass is included in the program fees. When you arrive in London, you’ll participate in a comprehensive, on-site orientation program, during which FIE staff will help you acclimate to your new educational environment.
You've seen London in the movies. Now it's time to get your firsthand look at the sites of the city. Make sure that (l-r) Big Ben, the London Eye, the Queen’s Guards and the Tube, the city's iconic Underground, are part of your iCharleston experience.
ACADEMICS All your classes will be held at the FIE Foundation House study center, located near the Gloucester Road Underground Station. The core of the FIE semester is a key course in British Life and Cultures. The field studies that are attached to this course will take you out of the classroom and into London's unique neighborhoods. Your site director will take the key course with you, learning the material at the same pace you do. College Writing: Britain as a Text is also a required course, which fulfills your CofC ENGL 110 freshman writing requirement. You’ll select three additional courses to finalize your academic schedule. All the courses will transfer into the College of Charleston, so long as you complete each of them with a grade of C or better.
LONDON HOUSING iCharleston participants will live in FIE housing near the Foundation House study center. Rooms have en suite bathrooms and there are large, fully equipped and fully supplied kitchens on each floor. (London does not offer a meal plan.) And participants also have access to common rooms and washers and dryers. Also, a study lab equipped with computers and printers is available where student classes are held. Residence halls are secured 24/7 with front desk staff. In addition, FIE provides two live-in residence-life supervisors (RLS) and an on-call RLS in all residence halls. The iCharleston site director lives close by as well. Previous extracurricular programing included group outings to the theatre, London Eye, comedy clubs and sporting events. Membership in the Imperial College London Student Union is also part of the program, offering an array of clubs and societies for iCharleston students to join during their fall semester.
Don't miss (l-r) the Natural History Museum, picturesque street scenes, City Hall and the Shard Skyscraper, and Primrose Hill Park.
Most Londoners use the subway (the Tube) and buses to get around. FIE includes an Oyster Card in the welcome packet. With it, participants have access to unlimited Tube rides in Zones One and Two and bus rides all over the city.
EXPENSES $19,995* includes: • 15 transferable academic credits upon successful completion of the iCharleston program. • Shared residence hall living with 24-hour security. • Orientation program. • iCharleston site director supporting academic and social transition to London. • iCharleston-specific programming. • Associated tours for British Life and Cultures course. • London Underground (aka Tube) Pass for Zones One and Two.
* NOTE: All costs are subject to change. No financial aid is available for this location.
LONDON TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO: 1 The British Museum (seriously a must-see!)
2 Natural History Museum 3 Trafalgar Square 4 Battersea Park 5 Houses of Parliament
6 Museum of London 7 Harrods 8 Tate Modern 9 Changing of the Guard 10 Victoria and Albert Museum
“Studying abroad in London my freshman year has allowed me to grow personally and academically. This program has various opportunities and resources that made my transition from high school to college easier for me.”
— iCharleston ‘19 student
Once you have visited (l-r) Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Apple Market and of course, the Tower Bridge, your free time in London will have been well spent!
SAMPLE CLASS SCHEDULE* MONDAY UNDERSTANDING CIVILIZATIONS: ISLAM AND THE WEST
9:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
TUESDAY MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FINE ART IN LONDON
9:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
COLLEGE WRITING: BRITAIN AS A TEXT
1:00 P.M. — 4:00 P.M.
WEDNESDAY PASSPORT TO COFC
10:00 A.M. — 11:30 A.M.
PHOTOJOURNALISM
2:00 P.M. — 5:00 P.M.
THURSDAY BRITISH LIFE AND CULTURES
9:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
CONTEMPORARY BRITISH THEATRE
6:00 P.M. — 9:00 P.M.
FRIDAY MUSIC IN 20TH-CENTURY BRITAIN
9:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
BRITISH HISTORY 1:00 P.M. — 4:00 P.M. * NOTE: FIE and iCharleston do not tolerate absences from class and participants can lose their study visa if they are not present for class. Sample schedule from fall 2019 iCharleston program.
ROME
O u r p a rt ne r i ns t i t ut i o n , THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME (AUR), HAS HOSTED STUDY ABROAD students for five decades. Each year, students from over 40 countries enjoy a range of exciting and challenging programs that include firsthand encounters with the rich art, history and culture of The Eternal City. A robust academic experience awaits you next fall with small classes (16:1 student-faculty ratio) taught by awardwinning, international professors! When you arrive in Rome, our partners at AUR will help you move into your apartment and provide a comprehensive orientation program so you’ll feel comfortable and confident in your new neighborhood and city. H
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iCharleston provides a high-impact educational experience for talented individuals wanting to begin their college career abroad. H
There’s so much to explore in Rome. The city’s classical sculptures abound, and its many cathedrals and historic sites offer their own enduring lessons in history, culture and art.
ACADEMICS AUR is a small, integrated academic community where an interdisciplinary approach to learning is at the forefront of the student experience. With the campus situated in the heart of Rome, faculty here purposely intertwine Roman neighborhoods and landmarks into the classroom experience to contextualize learning for iCharleston participants. All iCharleston students will enroll in Introduction to Italian Language and Culture; your Site Director will take this course with you as well. Students will also select four additional courses to complete their full-time academic schedule. All courses will transfer into the College of Charleston so long as you complete them with a grade of C or better.
ROME HOUSING iCharleston participants will live in fully furnished apartments near the AUR campus. Living in a traditional Italian neighborhood with other AUR students offers a full-immersion cultural experience. Each apartment has multiple bedrooms and includes fully supplied kitchens. (Rome does not offer a meal plan.) Also, towels, linens and a washing machine are provided in each apartment. As a resident, you’ll have access to and support from a residence life supervisor along with 24/7 emergency assistance. Your iCharleston Site Director will be living close by as well and will plan programs and events using Rome as the backdrop! As a full-time AUR student, you can also take advantage of numerous student
Rome is an exceptional city with 50+ museums and 900+ churches that house world-renowned paintings, frescoes and sculptures. The cobblestoned streets and beautiful piazzas are architectural masterpieces. In addition, the city is home to no fewer than 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
clubs and activities such as men’s and women’s soccer teams, gospel choir, Italian language exchange and trips to Tuscany, Capri and Pompeii.
EXPENSES $13,995* includes: • 15 transferable academic credits upon successful completion of the iCharleston Program. • Shared, apartment-style living with 24/7 emergency assistance. • Orientation program. • iCharleston site director supporting academic and social transition to life in Rome. • iCharleston specific programming. • Associated day and weekend study tours for Italian Language and Culture course, including travel to Amalfi Coast and Assisi. • Semester-long gym membership.
* NOTE: All costs are subject to change. No financial aid is available for this location.
ROME TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO: 1 The Colosseum
6 The Spanish Steps
2 The Roman Forum
7 Campo de’ Fiori
3 Vatican museums
8 Piazza Navona
and the Sistine Chapel
4 Trevi Fountain 5 Explore nearby Trastevere
9 The Pantheone 10 Galleria Borghese
“ I am here for four months and it’s a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and go try new things. I don’t want to ever look back and say ‘I wish I did that’ – instead I would rather just do it. ”
— iCharleston ‘19 student
Among Rome’s many attractions are its open-air street markets and restaurants, along with its phenomenal statuary and the beautiful Tiber River.
SAMPLE CLASS SCHEDULE* MONDAY PASSPORT TO COFC
9:00 A.M. — 10:30 A.M.
GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY
10:45 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
ELEMENTARY ITALIAN
2:05 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
TUESDAY ART OF ROME
9:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M.
ELEMENTARY ITALIAN
2:05 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
INTRODUCTION TO ITALIAN LANGUAGE & CULTURES
3:40 P.M. — 5:00 P.M.
WEDNESDAY GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY
10:45 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
ELEMENTARY ITALIAN
2:05 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
THURSDAY LIVING ROME
9:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.
ELEMENTARY ITALIAN
2:05 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
INTRODUCTION TO ITALIAN LANGUAGE & CULTURES
3:40 P.M. — 5:00 P.M.
* NOTE: AUR and iCharleston do not tolerate absences from class and participants can lose their study visa if they are not present for class. Sample schedule from fall 2019 iCharleston program.
t ran s itio n t o t he CO L L EG E O F C H A R L E STO N ONCE YOU’VE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED all iCharleston requirements, your career as a College of Charleston student will begin. NOTE: Per College of Charleston policy, the institution reserves the right to deny admission to any new student if disciplinary and/or academic issues become apparent prior to the date the student is to enter the College.
ORIENTATION YOU MUST ATTEND NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION AT THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON IN EARLY JANUARY. During orientation, you will meet with an advisor and complete registration for your spring-semester classes.
ROOM AND BOARD All iCharleston participants must live in College of Charleston housing during the spring semester. Housing options range from a traditional residence hall to suite-style apartments to historic houses. The Department of Residence Life will notify you of your room assignment in late December. You’ll also have to purchase a freshman-level meal plan for the spring semester. NOTE: While we will try to accommodate all roommate requests, we cannot guarantee that everyone will be assigned the roommate of their choice.
SPRING SEMESTER Once you successfully complete your fall semester abroad, you’ll begin classes on the CofC campus in January. All iCharleston students will be required to participate in the Impact Scholars Program, which provides the following support: • Learning seminars • Dedicated academic advising • Professional and personal development programming • School and life management coaching A learning contract outlines the provided structure and H academic supports in place to ensure that your transition to campus is successful, both academically and socially. H
m e et y ou r SI TE DIR E CTOR S iCHARLESTON SITE DIRECTORS are identified and selected based on their experience in three specific areas: 1. PERSONAL STUDY-ABROAD EXPERIENCES THROUGH THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 2. KNOWLEDGE OF COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON CAMPUS LIFE AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS 3. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE WITH FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AT COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (I.E. PEER ACADEMIC COACH, ORIENTATION INTERN, RESIDENT ASSISTANT, PEER FACILITATOR, ETC.)
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Facilitate the weekly Passport to CofC requirement, which is an academic support class dedicated to iCharleston program participants. • Work with the partner institution to facilitate the transition from high school to college and a new environment. • Encourage and advise participants so that they successfully complete the requirements of the iCharleston program. • Schedule one-on-one and group meetings to help with the transition process and suggest additional resources. • Provide opportunities for iCharleston participants to meet students from outside their immediate group. • Enroll in a required class with iCharleston participants. • Organize events that help participants develop an understanding of the traditions, customs and norms of the new community in which they live. • Mentor and guide participants so that they develop the proper balance between academic, campus and personal life.
A SITE DIRECTOR DOES NOT... • Perform maintenance or security functions in the residence halls. • Help with homework assignments or projects. • Make administrative decisions such as grades, living situations, admission to the College, etc. • Cook or shop for food for iCharleston participants.
F REQ U E N TLY A S K E D QU ESTI O N S HOW WILL MY CREDITS TRANSFER TO THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON? You will receive full credit for all completed courses with a C or higher. However, the specific grades from the iCharleston program do not transfer into the College of Charleston in the spring.
IF I DON’T PARTICIPATE IN iCHARLESTON, CAN I ATTEND COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON IN THE FALL? Offers to participate in iCharleston require that you study abroad during the fall semester in one of the four locations available. Upon successful completion of the program, acceptance to the College is guaranteed for the following spring semester.
WHAT IF I STRUGGLE ACADEMICALLY IN MY COURSES ABROAD? CAN MY ADMISSION FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER BE RESCINDED? While each iCharleston offer comes with an acceptance for spring admission to the College, the Office of Admissions does hold the right to rescind your offer for academic reasons, and all transcripts will be reviewed prior to your arrival.
DO I NEED TO FILE FOR A VISA? iCharleston students will enter the country under a study visa. They will submit their application when they arrive at the port of entry. The host university will provide guidance and support to ensure students have proper documentation.
WHAT KINDS OF FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROGRAM? No traditional financial aid or scholarships are available for any iCharleston locations. Full payment of fees is due directly to our partners and CofC does not determine payment deadlines.
ARE THERE EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS MADE AVAILABLE FOR iCHARLESTON STUDENTS? iCharleston site directors plan a variety of programs throughout the semester abroad specifically for participants in the iCharleston program. Past programs have included sporting events, theatre productions, day trips and group dinners. The cost of these programs is covered by your iCharleston fees.
WILL iCHARLESTON PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACCESS TO A MEAL PLAN? Kelowna is the only location that offers a meal plan for iCharleston students, and it is included in the program fees. Students in Dublin, London and Rome will be able to prepare their own food in kitchens. An abundance of grocers and restaurants exists near residences in all locations.
CAN I PICK WHICH iCHARLESTON LOCATION I WANT TO ATTEND? Locations are assigned based on a first-response, first-served basis. However, age restrictions, student cohort allowances and secondary admissions processes can alter your top choice.
WILL I ATTEND CLASSES WITH iCHARLESTON STUDENTS EXCLUSIVELY, OR ARE THEY INTEGRATED WITHIN THE HOST COLLEGE? London is a “closed” program, meaning all classes are specific to iCharleston students. In Dublin, Kelowna and Rome, most classes are integrated into the partner institution.
IS MY FLIGHT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FEES? Flight costs are not included in program fees. A group flight will be arranged and families will be provided instructions as to how to secure a reservation. Students must travel with their respective group in August to their location.
WILL I BE ABLE TO TRAVEL DURING THE SEMESTER? Students are responsible for attending classes and there may be additional programming on select weekends that is connected to their academic requirements. Travel is permitted so long as class absences do not occur. Additionally, all sites observe a Fall Break when classes are not in session.
For additional information about the iCharleston program, contact: OFFICE OF NEW STUDENT PROGRAMS 843.953.2017 | ichs@cofc.edu | ichs.cofc.edu
iCHS
b e fo re you go T HI NGS TO D O Review the iCharleston website and PASSPORT for program specific requirements. Talk with your family and determine the best location for your academic and personal goals. Ask yourself questions like: • Why do I want to be in the iCharleston program? • What goals would I like to achieve during the fall semester abroad? • How will I adapt to a new living and learning environment? Submit your iCharleston application and nonrefundable $400 deposit via check made out to College of Charleston. Register for a special iCharleston Family Orientation on the beautiful College of Charleston campus July 16-17, 2020. You’ll meet your peers and learn about what is ahead for you as an iCharleston participant. • Orientation includes two full days of activities and is a program requirement. • Representatives from partner institutions will be present. Ensure your U.S. passport is valid and does not expire before June 2021. Successfully complete your current high school academic program. Prior to departure, please send us your high school final transcripts, AP exam credit, IB credit, previous college credit, etc. • Send to: College of Charleston Admissions, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC, 29424 Block out your calendar for departure in August (check the dates at ichs.cofc.edu). Begin readying yourself for an amazing first semester in college!
ichs.cofc.edu 843.953.2017 ichs@cofc.edu @cofc.ichs