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STUDENT HANDBOOK
KIIS MEXICO PROGRAM
SUMMER 2010
Your handbook contains information about the following: 3. Payment details 4. Course registration, grades and attendance policy 5. Health, safety and insurance information 7. Independent travel policy (while abroad) 11. Five key forms that you must complete and return to KIIS by April 1, 2010 (mail the forms
10 days in advance to ensure the materials are received by April 1). To locate the 5 forms, click “Mexico” on the KIIS homepage and then click “Admitted Students” in the white and green Table of Contents box on the right. a. Program Contract (signed)
b. Student Agreement and Assumption of Risk (signed and notarized)
c. Designation of Medical Surrogacy (signed and notarized)
d. Medical History
e. Housing Questionnaire
Questions: call 270-745-4416 or email john.dizgun@wku.edu
Orientation Session
• Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 1-4 pm EST at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall (#19 on
• The orientation session is mandatory.
• If for any reason you cannot attend the orientation, a $100 fee will be added to your KIIS
program cost (to cover expenses for the program director to carry out an individual orientation). • Your parents or other emergency contacts are welcome to join you at the orientation. • Among the topics discussed at the orientation: host country culture and laws, academics, housing, health and safety, social and sexual mores, climate, unfamiliar or different terrain, money matters, communications, traffic, independent travel, and packing. Flight Information
• The Mexico Summer 2010 group flight itinerary was updated on March 25, 2010.
Departure City
Dep. Time Arrival City
Arrival Time
May 28 Delta 5127
Louisville (SDF) 7:00 am
May 28 Delta 365
• Please arrive at the Louisville Airport 2½ -3 hours before departure. Count on traffic. Fred de Rosset (your Program Director) will provide you with additional details at the April 10 orientation in Louisville. • If you are traveling to Mexico independently, you must arrive at the meeting point in the Mexico City airport before the group flight or make alternative arrangements with your program director. • All students must have a valid passport to travel. Typically passports must be valid for six months after your return to the U.S. Non-US citizens must ensure they have any necessary visas, if applicable. • If (due to unforeseen circumstances) you will be arriving late to the airport, contact Fred de Rosset at 859-200-2019 or John Dizgun (KIIS Program Coordinator) at 270-227-2288 (cell).
Payment Details
• March 19, 2010 = first $1000 due. April 15, 2010 = total remaining balance.
• To pay by debit or credit card, please log on to your MyKIIS account or call the KIIS office at
• To pay by certified check, money order, or personal check (no personal checks for the April 15 payment), please make payable to “Western Kentucky University” and mail to KIIS at the address above (see table of contents page). • If your university scholarship or financial aid funds will only be released after the KIIS payment deadlines, please have your campus financial aid advisor or KIIS Campus Representative send KIIS before the above deadlines. It is required by KIIS. You are responsible for paying any amount not listed on the promissory note.
Course Registration, Grades, and Attendance Policy
• All KIIS course credit is issued through Western Kentucky University (WKU). Upon completion of your KIIS study abroad program, the WKU Registrar will transfer your study abroad course credit to your home institution. Processing takes up to six weeks. • Course registration: one week prior to the April 10 orientation, KIIS will email you a course
registration sheet (it will also be posted on the KIIS website in the Mexico “Admitted
Students” section). Complete the registration and email it toby April 10.
• Note: if you are undecided about your KIIS program courses and would like to hear more
information about the course offerings from the various professors, bring your registration sheet to the April 10 orientation in Louisville where professors will outline their courses orally. Then select the courses you desire and submit the sheet to your Program Director at the orientation. All students must complete a course registration sheet (the courses you indicate may differ from the ones you initially selected online when you applied to the Mexico program). • Approximately three weeks after the completion of your KIIS program, you may view your final • While abroad on a KIIS program, you are expected to be punctual and attend all classes, meetings, and required excursions. Unexcused absences from classes, meetings, excursions, and other required group activities will result in a lowering of the student’s final grade, as will excessive tardiness. Multiple unexcused absences could result in expulsion from the program. Any absence from an academic class session must be excused for medical reasons. Health, Safety and Insurance
• Through CMI Insurance (www.cmi-insurance.com), KIIS provides students with comprehensive medical insurance ($500,000 max; $0 deductible) and emergency medical evacuation while abroad on a KIIS program. Independent travel before or after the program dates is not covered under the policy. • Through CMI, KIIS provides students with Security Evacuation protection designed to provide emergency evacuation services in the event of threats of political, security, and natural disaster. • Your Program Director will distribute your CMI medical card upon arrival abroad. • A copy of the KIIS CMI medical insurance policy can be found online under the “Admitted • It is recommended that you have up-to-date routine immunizations, including tetanus, MMR, and polio. It is your responsibility to consult with your family doctor or local health department to obtain information about recommended vaccinations for travel to Mexico. Also, visit the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) for additional health and travel information. Cancellations
• In the event that KIIS cancels a program and returns the student to the United States for any
reason, the amount of the program fee will be refunded to the student minus already expended
funds.
• Through CMI, KIIS provides Trip Cancellation—Terrorism. The benefit pays up to $5000 of protection to recover non-refundable expenses already paid due to loss if the scheduled trip must be cancelled (within 45 days of departure) due to terrorist activities. • KIIS does not provide other forms of trip cancellation insurance (i.e. should you need to cancel your participation in the program prior to departure or leave the program prematurely while abroad. Should you wish to purchase trip cancelation insurance, consider www.insuremytrip.com Emergencies
• Emergencies can occur when students are participating in study abroad programs. KIIS provides full logistical support to students in the event of an emergency. KIIS recommends that at least one family member be holding a valid passport in the event that he/she deems it necessary to make an emergency trip abroad. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
Program Director Fred de Rosset at 044-443-170-5600 (within Mexico)
or 850-200-2019 (within U.S.) or fredkiis@hotmail.com KIIS office at 270-745-4416 (USA)
KIIS Programs Coordinator John Dizgun at 270-227-2288 (USA cell)
KIIS Executive Director Chris Bierwirth at 270-331-6805 (USA cell) or 859-595-2267 (2nd cell)
• Note: John Dizgun will be out of the country from June 20-July 22 and Chris Bierwirth will be
Independent Travel Policy (while abroad)
• Independent travel is at the student’s own risk
• Do not operate any motor-driven vehicle. Use public transportation.
• Travel must be arranged so as not to conflict with class and other program activities.
• When students travel independently, it is occasionally necessary to reach them in case of
emergency. Students should notify the director of their destination & hotel reservations. • As noted on the website and in the KIIS program brochure, lodging is not provided for independent travel. Those who choose not to travel independently may stay with their host families in Morelia, Mexico. Money Matters
• The easiest way to get cash abroad is by using your ATM card. Your U.S. bank and the bank
(ATM) abroad are likely to charge you withdrawal fees. Typically, you receive the best exchange rate via an ATM withdrawal. • If you can, avoid changing large sums of money at airports; typically, they offer poor • Consider bringing a small sum of Pesos with you.
• It is recommended you bring a credit card with you (esp. in the event of an emergency).
• Call your bank & credit card company ahead of time to let them know you will be
abroad— otherwise you may not be able to use your debit and/or credit cards.
• Leave a photocopy of your passport with a family member or close friend in the U.S. • Also leave a copy of your debit and credit card numbers with a family member or close friend. If your cards are stolen, you can call home to have them cancelled. • Keep your valuables in a safe place. Consider purchasing a money belt to safeguard your • ISIC Cards: KIIS does not provide students with an International Student Identity Card. If you would like one (useful for some discounts abroad), talk to your institution’s study abroad office or purchase one online.
Cell Phones Abroad
• If you plan to bring a U.S. cell phone with you abroad, know that using your cell phone
• If your cell phone is a smartphone (i.e. iphone, blackberry, etc.) you likely want to disable your internet roaming and 3G capabilities before departing the U.S. Even if you don’t use the internet on your phone while abroad, you may still incur (massive) charges because your service is still “on.” An affordable (often free) alternative is only to use your phone’s WiFi capabilities while abroad. Consult with your wireless provider before departure. • KIIS has partnered with Pic Cell Wireless to provide students with a cost-effective cell phone option while abroad. Visitfor more details. Note: KIIS does not receive any form of compensation from Pic Cell Wireless.
Packing Tips/List
• Do not overpack (perhaps the single biggest recommendation of past KIIS students). Laundry facilities are available abroad. Past students recommend 40-45 lbs. max. Also remember, you’ll have to carry your own luggage. • Check the airline’s website for details about baggage allowances. • KIIS rec: one medium-size roller suitcase and a small backpack (for day trips). • Be practical: elect clothing that can be worn in multiple settings. • Avoid delicate/fancy items you would be wary about washing. • Leave your valuable jewelry at home. CHECKLIST OF ITEMS TO PACK
 3-4 pairs of jeans/slacks and 1 or 2 pairs of walking shorts (please, no short shorts)
 4 -5 long-sleeved shirts or blouses and a few t-shirts
 2 -3 sweaters or sweatshirts
 a light jacket (water-resistant or waterproof)
 2 pairs of comfortable shoes suitable for walking long distances
 7-10 pairs of socks or hose
 7-10 pairs of underwear
 one pair of dress slacks and tie or 1 or 2 simple dresses suitable for concerts, theaters, and restaurants
 sleeping apparel, including (for ladies) a light robe
 bathing suit, sandals a beach towel for poolside use (can double as a blanket on night trains)
 Spanish-English/English-Spanish dictionary
 a couple of notebooks and pens for classes
 a guidebook of Mexico
 alarm clock (battery-powered)
 folding umbrella
 camera, memory cards, battery, and cords
 earplugs
 toiletries, cosmetics & accessories
 sunglasses
 sunscreen, mosquito repellent (those containing Deet are best)
 glasses, extra contacts and contact solution, if needed
 medicines/prescription drugs in their original containers packed in carry on (not checked luggage)
 allergy medicine
 Pepto-Bismol, Imodium and acid reducer (or similar)
 If you cannot digest lactose, bring plenty of lactose enzyme pills.
 money belt/passport holder
 passport
 list of important contacts or numbers
 photocopies of important documents (credit cards, passport, tickets, itinerary)
 Debit and/or credit cards (call your bank ahead of time and let them know that you will be abroad)
 small gift for host family in Mexico
REMEMBER TO COMPLETE & RETURN YOUR:
Student Agreement & Assumption of Risk (signed and notarized) Medical Surrogacy (signed and notarized) All 5 forms are available in the “Admitted Students” section on the KIIS website

Source: http://kiis.org/portal/images/stories/docs/Handbooks2010/mexico_handbook.pdf