The London Program

• a London Transport travel pass giving unlimited use of the buses and underground trains (homestay participants receive a zone 1-3 travel card, and participants choosing the apartment option receive a zone 1 and 2 travel card);
• orientation program consisting of an orientation meeting with AIFS staff, student information packet including a comprehensive student handbook, local area information, etc., a welcome reception, and a half-day guided sightseeing tour of London;
• access to the AIFS Student Center and support of Student Services Staff;
• classes in the University of London Union (ULU) facilities;
• student computer lab at the Dilke House student center where students can have free access to e-mail and Internet facilities;
• membership of the University of London Student Union. Includes access to low-cost cafeteria, student clubs and societies, and reduced rates at ULU sports facilities;
• membership with borrowing rights at the local borough public library;
• British Life and Culture Course focusing on historical, political, economic and cultural aspects of contemporary Britain including ten weekly lectures, four local field trips and a student activity plan;
• medical and program fee refund insurance policies;
• $50 non-refundable application fee.

Program fees do not include the following:

• round-trip transatlantic airfare between the U.S. and Europe, and transfers between the airport and the program site on specified program date(s) for $625 tour/$475 non-tour;
• mandatory additional airline-imposed fuel surcharges of $450 tour/$415 non-tour (subject to change);
• $250 refundable damage deposit;
• community college enrollment fees;
• optional package of cultural activities for a supplemental fee of $495. Includes four one-day excursions and six evening events in central London;
• optional five-day/four-night orientation tour of Europe for $995
• optional tour to Scotland at a cost of $575
• textbooks
• passport and visa fees, if applicable;
• field trips or excursions required by your instructors;
• personal expenses, such as laundry;
• optional personal effects coverage and medical insurance upgrade.

Accommodations
Students are offered the option of living in a shared homestay or, for an additional fee, in a shared apartment/studio with kitchen.

Homestay Students selecting the homestay option will be placed with another AIFS student in a residential area of London within 30-45 minutes commuting distance of the Study Center. It should be noted that these placements are not necessarily with families, often single parents or single people act as hosts. Typical accommodations are in a twin-bedded room with other facilities shared with the host.

This arrangement offers considerable contact with local people while maintaining independence. Students have their own keys and can use the kitchen at mutually convenient times. Students will be expected to adapt to the hosts and their way of life and show consideration. Breakfasts are provided five days a week.

Shared Apartment/Studios-Students selecting this option normally will be housed in the Kensington area, 30 minutes by underground to the Study Center. Sharing the neighborhood are Kensington Palace and the magnificent Kensington Gardens. Royal Albert Hall, the Albert Memorial and the Kensington High Street shopping district are nearby.

Apartments vary in layout and may consist of a lounge, several shared bedrooms (twin and a triplet and a shared kitchen and bathroom or shared studio rooms each with a kitchen and private or shared bathroom facilities. Studio rooms usually accommodate two or three people. AIFS provides a resident staff member in most buildings.

London Travel Pass
Students Receive a pass for the London local transport system (subway and bus) for the duration of the program. The pass allows students unlimited travel in central London for apartment students and multi-zone passes for homestay students. It is useful for traveling to class as well as to other areas in London.

Students making their own living arrangements get a London travel pass valid only for the central zone.

Insurance
AIFS provides each student with a group insurance plan. It provides two distinct types of coverage:

1. Before the program begins, the policy will refund fees paid to AIFS by students unable to participate on the program because of covered injury or illness. However, a fee is retained from the amount paid which includes a $100 processing fee, $50 non-refundable application fee, an insurance premium, and any non refundable deposits.
2. Once the program has begun, the policy covers the cost of medical treatment abroad up to a maximum of $10,000 per covered sickness or accident with a daily hospital charge limit of $300. Each accident or illness requires a $50 deductible.

These two categories are mutually exclusive. The policy does not cover medical expenses before the program begins, nor does it refund any portion of the AIFS program fee once the program has begun.

Coverage details are provided to students with their AIFS acceptance packet.

Optional insurance upgrade
Medical insurance upgrade covers medical treatment abroad to a maximum of $60,000 per covered illness or accident with a daily hospital charge of $300 and $50 deductible for each accident or illness.

Personal Effects insurance covers loss or theft up to a maximum of $2,500, subject to a maximum of $100 per item ($250 for cameras) and a deductible of $100 per incident. Bicycles, jewelry, cash and computers are not covered. Expensive personal items should be left at home. To purchase upgrades, indicate your choice on the application.

24-hour emergency travel assistance In the event of illness or injury, a 24-hour travel assistance service is at students' disposal, staffed by multilingual coordinators trained to help should an emergency arise while traveling.

Transportation
Participants may purchase the AIFS transportation package (listed above at non-tour and tour) which includes a round-trip airline ticket for flights with the AIFS group (express-delivered), a guarantee of no increase in fare, security charges, U.S. Customs and Immigration fees, ground transfers to and from the overseas campus, airport staffing and welcoming, group travel arrangements where possible, AIFS handling and administration and a 24-hour emergency duty officer in the U.S. It does not include mandatory U.S. government and airline-imposed departure taxes and fees for which students will billed separately. Air tickets are non refundable, non endorsable, non changeable and subject to penalty fees if canceled or lost.

Participants who make their own transportation arrangements have full responsibility for getting themselves and their baggage to the overseas campus and for returning home. AIFS assumes no responsibility for any transportation arrangements for these participants or consequences of delays, cancellations, missed connections or failure to arrive on campus in a timely manner. While participants may shop for a less expensive air ticket, participants should take caution to understand the limitations and restrictions on independently purchased tickets.

Specifics of transatlantic travel and return flight options are detailed on the application. Please read it carefully and indicate any deviations you will make from the standard program dates and travel cities.

It is crucial to indicate clearly on the application whether you intend to take the AIFS transportation package. AIFS will not make your travel arrangements unless you check all appropriate boxes, indicate your departure date (tour or non-tour) and city and complete the flight sign-up sheet.

Optional Pre-Tour of Europe - view Europe itinerary
Before the London program begins, students may take an optional five-day, four-night orientation tour of Europe to introduce famous sights as well as fellow students, The fee for this tour is $1,035.00.

AlFS will store extra luggage brought for the semester or quarter during this tour.

Students who wish to take the optional tour should sign up on the program application and enclose a nonrefundable $50 deposit. The balance should be paid directly to AlFS by the final payment deadline as set forth on your application. AlFS reserves the right to cancel the tour if fewer than 20 enroll.

Optional Tour of Scotland - view Scotland itinerary
Optional mid-semester excursion to Scotland can be purchased for a supplemental fee of $635.00. This fee includes round-trip transportation, four-nights accommodation in hostels (two nights in Edinburgh, one near Loch Ness, one on the Isle of Skye), home cooked evening meals, continental breakfasts, and services of local Scottish guide.

Optional AIFS Cultural Activities - view Cultural itinerary
AIFS offers students the opportunity to purchase an optional cultural program, designed to help students see more of Britain's famous sights and more of London's cultural events at a reduced price. The program includes five one-day excursions (including transport, a private guide and entrance fees) and seven cultural events (theatre, sports). The fee for this program is $525.00 and students can sign up for this program on the AIFS application form.

Financial Aid                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          State and Federal financial Aid (BOGW, Cal Grants, Pell Grants, Loans) and scholarships CAN be used to help you afford Study Abroad if you qualify.  For the semester you will be in London, you will need to apply through Citrus College.  Therefore, on your FAFSA application, be sure to include Citrus College and their College Code #0011166 for the 2009-2010 year.  If you'll be back at Rio Hondo in the spring, include Rio Hondo as well.  The deadline to apply for Cal Grants for the fall is MARCH 2, 2009.