THE ITC IS LIKE NO OTHER ACADEMIC TRAVEL PROGRAM ANYWHERE

The ITC takes you to travel and study in several different European countries over the course of a spring semester.

You will live and study in places such as London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Prague, Verona, Vienna, and more. You complete UWRF courses, earning credits toward your degree. Living in these European locations offers fascinating learning experiences that are just not available on the home campus, such as visiting key historical sites, and immersing yourself in local cultures.

In addition to group travel, you will have plenty of time to see the sights and travel independently. You will explore our "home" cities, make weekend trips to other places within the countries where we'll be based, and have two weeks at the end of the semester to travel wherever you choose within western Europe.

Before heading to Europe, we hold orientation meetings to prepare you for the semester. We cover specifics related to travel, accommodations, communication, budgeting, safety, etc. ITC staff members are available to help answer your questions both before we leave and while we are in Europe.

The benefits of studying abroad are unambiguously clear. You learn more about yourself and other cultures, and develop self-reliance and other skills that can help you both in your personal and professional lives. Students who have studied abroad are typically enthusiastic in the comments they provide about their experiences. The ITC is an affordable semester abroad program. Financial aid and grants are available and traveling as a student allows you to tap into discounts that are unavailable to non-student travelers.

Students from all disciplines are encouraged to participate in the ITC. Most courses meet either general education, liberal arts, or other requirements (see course listing). In some situations it might be possible to arrange independent readings, or internships.

Here are the most frequently asked questions:

1. When will we leave and where will we go as a group?

We will leave near the end of January, 2012, and return in May, being based in London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Prague, Verona, and Vienna. Note that you might be able to extend your stay in Europe if you wish.

2. Will I have time to travel?

Definitely! We expect you to take some weekend trips, and to travel at the end of the semester independently. One of the advantages of the ITC is that you'll be with a group for much of the semester and ITC staff will be available to answer your questions and help you make plans. We'll have thorough orientations that cover the main questions about traveling both as a group and independently. You might choose to spend some time traveling alone (we'll cover safety tips and other issues related to that), or you might spend time traveling with others in our group. If you want to travel to Spain or Ireland, for instance, chances are there will be others in the group that want to do the same!

3. How will I travel within Europe?

Europe has wonderful transportation systems, including trains, buses, trams, and more. You receive a global Eurail pass that is included in your program fee. This provides you with an inexpensive means to travel extensively around Europe. We'll talk more about different modes of transportation and costs during orientation.

4. Where will we stay?

We reserve spots in youth hostels and reasonably priced hotels. These are relatively inexpensive options for travelers that allow you to meet people from all over the world. They often have kitchens, internet access, television rooms, and other amenities. The rooms in hostels are somewhat like residence halls or dormitories with several beds per room.

5. Where will we hold classes and what classes are available?

We hold classes in the facilities where we stay. What is really exciting is that learning in Europe presents wonderful opportunities that simply aren't available on our home campus. We supplement classroom experience with group activities, such as attending live musical performances in London and Paris as part of a World Music course; exploring Venice, Milan and Verona as part of a World Cities course in Italy; receiving policy briefings at NATO headquarters in Brussels as part of an International Relations course; and touring the Reichstag in Berlin as part of a European politics course, just to mention a few of the group activities. The classes are designed to meet general education, liberal arts and other requirements. See the full listing of 2012 classes. If you have any questions, please contact the 2012 ITC Coordinator.

6. Why should I study in Europe now?

7. How much will it cost, and is financial aid available?

In 2010 the total program fee was between $10,000 and $11,000. We anticipate that the program fees will be approximately $9,500-$10,000 for 2012, and students should expect to budget an additional $4,000-$6,000 for personal expenses. These costs are not fixed because you'll be able to control some of your budget (e.g., how much you spend on food, what type of travel arrangements you make, and so on). The program fee includes tuition, airplane transportation, Eurail pass, course expenses (e.g., museum visits, tours, class trips, etc.), most of your lodging, some of your meals, insurance, and other basic items. Financial aid is often available to cover the additional costs associated with academic experiences abroad. A budget planning sheet for 2012 will be available soon.

8. When do I need to decide and how do I apply?

We plan to take about 35 students, and slots are being reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. You need to complete an APPLICATION FORM, provide required information on-line at http://www.uwrf.edu/GlobalConnections/InternationalTravelingClassroom.cfm, and submit a non-refundable deposit of $250. Be sure to consult the ITC CHECKLIST, too. Act now. Don't miss out! It's the chance of a lifetime!

9. What forms and additional information are available?

Don't hesitate to contact the 2012 ITC Coordinator or other staff if you have questions: