American University
Notes of Guidance for Exchange Students
Please check information on Host University’s website for accuracy
American University creates meaningful change in the world. With highly ranked
schools and colleges and internationally recognized faculty, AU offers a balance
between class time and career-advancing experience in Washington, D.C., and
beyond. Its students, among the country’s most politically active, distinguish
themselves for their service, leadership, and ability to rethink global and domestic
challenges and opportunities. As an institution with a global perspective, American
University is committed to hosting students and academics from across the world.
Currently, almost 1,000 international students and 60 scholars from over 130
countries call our university home. This diversity is also reflected in our faculty and
academic programs.
Website:
http://www.american.edu/
Exchange students should visit http://www.american.edu/abroadatau
Study Dates
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Start
24 August 2015
6 January 2015
End
14 December 2015
14 May 2016
The
detailed
2015-2016
academic
calendar
is
available
at
http://www.american.edu/provost/registrar/upload/Prelim-Acad-Calendar-15-16IncWCL-11-25-14.pdf
Orientation
An orientation programme is offered for all new students to help them discover the
university and inform them about any immigration requirements. For information
please visit http://www.american.edu/ocl/isss/orientation.cfm
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Academic Work
Normal
course/credit
load for an
academic
year
24 credit hours
Normal course/credit
load for a single
semester/term
12 credit hours
(typically 4 classes)
For a complete list of AU courses see the
Course information:
online Schedule of Classes, and for more
information visit the Registrar's website.
When will
To be confirmed. For details on course offering for exchange
course lists for
students please visit
2015/2016 be
http://www.american.edu/abroadatau/Courseofferings.cfm
published?
How and when
Students will have to contact academic advisor in their
do students
department for information about the course registration process.
enrol for
It is important to register for classes before the start of the
courses?
semester.
- Exchange students cannot take graduate level courses (600 and
above). There are no exceptions to this.
Are there any
subject areas
that are not
available or
where space is
limited?
- Abroad at AU students cannot enrol in courses that are within
University Honors Program, University College Program,
Washington Mentorship Program, or Washington Semester
Program. These are special programs that students have been
admitted into and are only for students in those programs.
- Business and Communication have restrictions on specific
courses, for a full list please visit
http://www.american.edu/abroadatau/courserestrictions.cfm
Your final course selection must be agreed with your Exchange
Coordinator and any course changes made whilst you are away must have
your Exchange Coordinator’s approval. Please ensure that you keep in
regular contact with your School (or Schools for joint Honours students)
during your year abroad and advise them of your email and mailing
addresses.
Accommodation
Accommodation website:
Is on-campus accommodation
guaranteed?
http://www.american.edu/abroadatau/studentlife.cfm
University-managed housing is limited and cannot
be guaranteed for Abroad at AU students.
Students should contact the Abroad at AU office to
determine their eligibility and chances of being
housed by American University.
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When is the accommodation
deadline?
For up-to-date information please visit
http://www.american.edu/ocl/housing/abouthousin
g.cfm
How do students apply for
accommodation?
Students who are eligible and want to live in
university-managed housing must return an
enrolment form no later than the due date in their
acceptance email.
Yes.
Can students choose to stay in
private accommodation?
Do you provide advice to help
students find private
accommodation? If so please
provide a link.
http://www.american.edu/ocl/housing/Off_Campus
_Housing.cfm
Costs
What is the estimated cost of
living per academic year?
Please refer to
http://www.american.edu/abroadatau/livingcosts.cfm
Do you have any
administrative fees for
incoming exchange students?
Do you have a compulsory or
non-compulsory health
insurance scheme?
If so please provide a link to
further information:
There is a mandatory student fee of $185.00
What is the cost of the
insurance per academic year?
For up-to-date costs please visit
http://www.american.edu/ocl/healthcenter/AboutStudent-Health-Insurance-Plan.cfm
Compulsory.
http://www.american.edu/ocl/healthcenter/AboutStudent-Health-Insurance-Plan.cfm
Visas
Apply for your visa as soon as you receive your official acceptance packet. For
details please visit http://www.american.edu/ocl/isss/Applying-for-a-visa.cfm
All students should check the US Embassy/Consulate website for up to
date information: http://london.usembassy.gov/
On no account should students enter the USA on a tourist visa.
Students with Green Cards, a US passport, or Canadian nationals do not need to
apply for a visa. Canadian’s will still need an I-20 or IAP-66 OR DS-2019, which will
be issued automatically.
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All students must attend a US Embassy for an interview.
Financial Evidence
AU Certification of Finances for International Students: To be completed by all
applicants who require a student or exchange visitor visa (F or J) to study in the
U.S.
http://www.american.edu/admissions/international/index.cfm
Employment
While in F-1 or J-1 status you must get authorization before beginning any
employment (including internships for credit), whether is it is paid or unpaid. The
Department of Labor’s definition of “employ” is very broad and many unpaid
positions fall outside of the definition of truly volunteer activity. Please come to ISSS
if there is any confusion as to whether your off-campus opportunity is employment
or volunteer work.
http://www.american.edu/ocl/isss/employment.cfm
Disability Statement
Some destinations may be more accessible than others for disabled students. If you
require any adjustments due to disability or specific learning difficulty and you wish
to study abroad please contact Thomas Ozers in the International Office
(Thomas.ozers@ed.ac.uk). We will work together with you to explore the help
available at your host institution. It might also be helpful if you discuss this with
your Personal Tutor and the Disability Office as well.
These notes are for guidance only. We have tried to keep them up to
date, but it is very difficult to do so without your input. So, if you can
keep notes of any inaccuracies in this information we should be glad to
hear of them on your return to Edinburgh. Any other observations and
impressions about your stay will also be useful and will help those
students who participate in the exchange in future years.
==============================================================
International Office, University of Edinburgh, 33 Buccleuch Place Edinburgh EH8 9JS
tel: 0131 651 1927
email: international.outgoing@ed.ac.uk
==============================================================
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