Eiffel Tower
Books: When will I receive my books or class materials for my classes?
For U.S. students: Generally books are mailed around May 1st to the temporary address you listed on your application. Should you change address, you will need to notify us of your new address ASAP. If you leave the U.S. before you receive your books, you, the student, would have to pay USD to Fed Ex it to you in Europe. Fed Ex can cost anywhere from $50-$200 depending on your classes. Casebooks are heavy! If you attend school in San Diego, you would pick-up your books and/or photocopied materials at our office, Law School (Warren Hall) room 310. If you fail to pick up your class materials, we will Fed Ex them to your site and bill you.
For students coming from outside the United States, your books and/or photocopied materials may either be sent to you or will be at your chosen site. If sent to the site, you will need to pick them up from either the Director, or the Administrative Assistant at that site.
For students coming from outside the United States: If you are attending 2 programs, your books and/or photocopied materials may either be sent to you or at your chosen site. If sent to the site, you will need to pick them up from either the Director, or the Administrative Assistant at that site.
FOR ALL STUDENTS:
You will receive the first set of information sheets with your acceptance letter about 1 week after we have received your initial deposit amount(s) and the last set of information sheets on your chosen program(s) will be sent out in May. Sometimes it can take 2-3 weeks for air mail to arrive in various countries around the world, so please be patient.
Payments: If my school and USD sign a Consortium/Visiting Student Agreement, do I still have to make the scheduled payments?
Yes, payments must be kept up. Once you have paid the USD Study Abroad Program a total of $800, which is due at USD by April 23rd, for going on 1 program, then your final payment of the balance due must be received at USD no later than June 18th. This includes; tuition balance or any language costs. If any of the scheduled payments are missed then you will not be able to take advantage of the early pay discount. See Early Payment Discounts and Payment Due Dates
If you are going to 2 sites, Paris and to either Barcelona, Florence, or Russia then an initial deposit amount of $400 is due with your application. Then follow the payment schedule. Payment in full for both sites for tuition, housing and any language courses for Barcelona, Florence, or Russia, must be received at USD no later than May 15th. (we do not provide housing in Barcelona, Florence or Russia).
If any of the scheduled payments are missed then you will not be able to take advantage of the early pay discount.
Credit Cards accepted:
USD accepts Mastercard, Discover, and American Express credit cards to pay your costs of tuition, housing, language class and/or the internship (if taken) in Paris. For more information, please go to Credit Card information.
Visa credit cards are no longer accepted for any payments.
Also, you must initally pay through our office and NOT through USD's Student Accounts or Cashier's office or USD's e-pay system!
After your initial non-refundable payment to sign you up and you are then enrolled, have received your Acceptance Letter and have been assigned a USD ID number, you may then either pay through USD's E-Pay system, paying via e-check or credit card only (Visa credit cards are not accepted). Otherwise, if you will be MAILING or WALKING IN a U.S. dollar personal check or U.S. dollar money order, then these must be sent/brought to our office to: Ms Cindy King, USD Law School, 5998 Alcala Pk LS 310, San Diego CA 92110-2492; or you may bring into our office, Law School 310 and pay either Darlene or Cindy.
Returned Checks: What about returned personal checks?
Should a U.S. dollar personal check bounce and it is returned back to USD, there is a chance of you being withdrawn from the program for non-payment. USD puts returned checks back through two (2) times before the Study Abroad office is notified of a bad check. USD will not resubmit this check after 2 tries. Re-payment must then be made immediately and arrive at our office within 2 business days by either a U.S. Money Order, U.S. Cashier's Check, or a Wire Transfer only. If your check is returned back to us for any reason, there will be a $40 bank/administrative fee will be charged to your account.
Discounts: Will I be able to receive a discount if I pay early?
Yes, go to Early Payment Discounts and Payment Due Dates for more information.
Will I receive 2 discounts if I am taking 2 programs?
No, only one discount applies.
Refunds: If I totally withdraw from the program, what type of refund will I receive?
Please go to Paris Refund Policy for more information.
What if I am Academically Disqualified and I decide not to attend the Paris program, will I receive a full refund of both Tuition and any housing amount I have already paid?
Please go to Paris Refund Policy for more information.
Course Changes: What if I want to change classes once I have initially signed up?
No problem and no charge if you do this before April 1st. If you change ON or AFTER April 1st, then there is a fee of $50 for each law course change/switch, and you may change/switch only if we have the class materials/books for your new classes.
Thomas Cooley and Indiana Univ-Bloomington students must obtain permission to change or drop classes from either Prof Bill Weiner or Dean Len Fromm. Then Prof Weiner or Dean Fromm will alert USD-San Diego to the approved change.
Class Additions: Can I add a class once I am in Paris?
Yes, but you will be charged for the new materials and the add fee. If it is only photocopied materials, and the materials have to be photocopied at your site(s), you will have to pay these charges as well. If books are not on site, you will have to pay for USD-San Diego to Fed Ex the new book(s) to you. You would pay for all extra costs via USD's on-line E-Pay system by either an e-check or via credit card only. (Visa credit cards are not accepted) No payments are to be made on-site to anyone.
Thomas Cooley and Indiana Univ-Bloomington students must obtain permission to add classes from either Prof Bill Weiner or Dean Len Fromm. Then Prof Weiner or Dean Fromm will alert USD-San Diego to the approved change. If you increase your class load, you will be charged accordingly.
For more Add/Drop and Wait List Information
Law Classes: Can I drop a class once I am in Paris?
Yes, however, there will be no refund of any monies paid. Be aware that if you did loans, you may have to repay monies back to your lender. Contact the Financial Aid Office at your home school for further information.
Thomas Cooley and Indiana Univ-Bloomington students must obtain permission to drop classes after they have signed up from either Prof Bill Weiner or Dean Len Fromm. Then Prof Weiner or Dean Fromm will alert USD-San Diego to the approved change. If you increase your class load, you will be charged accordingly.
Language Classes: Can I add this class once in Paris?
Yes, you can. However, you will need to pay a course fee of $85 per person and you would then pay this amount via USD's on-line E-Pay system by either an e-check or via credit card only. No monies are to be paid on-site. If you drop a language class while in Paris, then there will be no refund of any monies paid.
Exams: What time do the exams start and finish?
Your exams start at 9 am on August 1st and August 2nd and take about 2-4 hours. Do not plan to leave on a flight before 3 pm on Saturday, August 2nd if you have an exam that morning.
EXAMS ARE NEVER GIVEN IN ADVANCE.
Housing: What about my housing?
Housing in a foreign country is NOT like living in the U.S. Be prepared for the unfamiliar. Should you have a problem once in Paris, contact the Paris Director or the Paris Administrative Assistant for help. We DO NOT suggest that you rent an apartment sight unseen! Wait until you are there. There will be plenty of places to rent, it will only be a matter of where and what price you want to pay. For budget information, see next question.
Apartment Deposits: Will I have to pay a deposit for housing? If so, how much?
USD does not provide housing in Paris. However, the landlord you rent from in Paris may require the 1st month's rent as a deposit and/or a security deposit for utilities. Check with the landlord. The USD-San Diego office will provide you with a list of places to stay for the first few days when you arrive in Paris. USD's Paris office, at 9 rue Malher, Room 303-B, will be open from Friday, June 22 and Monday-Friday, June 25 - June 29, all day from 9am - 5pm, (except for lunch) The office is also open Saturday morning, June 29th from 9am - noon only to provide housing help. Otherwise, the office is closed weekends. Our direct phone in Paris, dialing from the U.S., is 011-331-44-78-33-00. If you are in Paris the number would be 01-44-78-33-00.
You will receive other names and addresses for apartments for rent from the USD Paris office when you arrive in Paris. You would then visit the places that interest you and talk with the landlord. There is NO guarantee that the landlord will speak English. However, our on-site Administrator, who speaks French, should be able to help you if you run into any problems.
Utilities: Will I have to pay utilities?
You may, or the landlord may ask you for a separate deposit for utilities. These deposits are set by the landlord in Paris. They can run anywhere from $30-$300 depending on your use. Obviously, if you live in a Hotel or Hostel, you will not have to pay utilities or provide deposits.
What is the total cost of housing in Paris?
For budget information, click here: Paris Budget Your cost may vary depending on the type of housing you finally secure. WARNING: should you lock yourself out and break the lock to get into your apartment, you could be in for a shock. Depending on the type of lock, it could cost you as much as a full months rent!!! So know how to get a hold of your landlord before this happens!
If I withdraw, will I receive a housing refund?
You will have to discuss this with your landlord in Paris.
Telephone: Will there be a telephone in my apartment? Will I be able to use it?
There may or may not be a phone in your apartment. If there is, you may only be able to receive phone calls. So if you wanted to make an outgoing call, you would have to find a public phone. If you have both an outgoing line and a receiving line in your apartment, the landlord may charge you a deposit to take care of the phone bill when you leave, so be prepared! Sometimes the apartments have a telephone in the apartment, but you have to use a Tele Carte phone card, these can be purchased just about anywhere around in Paris.
Laundry: Will I have access to a washing machine and/or dryer?
Again, this will depend upon which apartment you, the student, finally decide on. If there is no washing machine or dryer where you live, ask where the nearest laundromat is from your landlord. There used to be a laundromat right around the corner from the school on the Rue de Rivoli.
Do I have to bring linens?
No, everything is usually provided. However, in Paris you will get a wash glove not a wash cloth. If you have to have a washcloth you will need to bring one.
Do I have to bring pots, pans, silverware?
No, everything is usually provided or can be bought there.
Will I have access to cooking facilities?
Yes, if you rent an apartment. But if you are renting a room in an apartment, you will need to discuss this with the landlord.
If I choose to live with a family, how much will it cost me?
There are many factors involved, such as location, meals, whether you share a bedroom. Prices can run from $800 to $1200+ per person.
You might check this link out if you are interested in living with a family -- Living with a family in Paris
If I live with a family, are meals included?
Sometimes breakfast is included in the price. Sometimes, arrangements can be made for a second meal for a price. Specify what you want when you talk with the landlord or whoever you have helping you find a family to live with. Special meals, such as vegetarian, no salt used, etc. will cost the student more and will be added to the rent.
Can I have friends stay in my apartment/room with me?
This will depend on your agreement with the landlord. Some do not care; others will not allow friends to stay over. Decide what you want to do at the outset, as it may influence where you live.
Money: What about exchanging money in Paris?
First, estimate how much cash you will need for the program. Then add $500 in case of an emergency. This is the amount of cash you will need at your disposal.
There are three principle ways of getting the cash you need: traveler's checks, Automated Teller Machine cards, and credit cards.
Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars are always accepted, even when traveler's checks in the local currency are not. While the standard charge for the checks is 1% of face value, it is often possible to obtain them free. AAA does this for its members, and many banks provide them free for significant account-holders. When cashing them in Europe, a better rate is often provided than when changing cash.
ATM cards are a good way to receive cash. In addition to your card, you need a PIN number valid in Europe. Check with your bank to be sure that you have one. You are limited to the same withdrawal as at home, and it can sometimes involve major math to figure out how much you will be allowed. The major problems with the ATM solution are fees and cash. There may be two fees involved, one from your bank, and another from the bank that owns the ATM machine. The fees can easily total more than $10, so it makes no sense to withdraw less than the maximum allowed, as fees are imposed on each transaction by each bank and/or machine. In addition, you can only withdraw money if you have it in your account. Both the Plus and Cirrus systems are well-represented in Paris; check with your bank if you have only the Star system about Paris machines.
One should probably charge as much as possible on a credit card. Visa and MasterCharge are universally accepted; American Express and Diners less so; Discover not at all. The exchange rate is pretty good, there are no transaction fees, and the bill need not be paid for at least a month. Using your credit card to take a cash advance will also work if you have a correct PIN number, but interest begins accruing immediately, and there is usually a fee for the loan. So this is the more expensive alternative.
Normally, the best rates for changing money are not found at the airport. However, it is usually better to change at the airport than to buy foreign money before leaving the U.S. Once settled, students exchange information about good places to change money. It is usually disadvantageous to change money at night or on weekends because the number of places open then limits the competition. Two factors determined how advantageous the exchange might be: the rate, and the commission. Many places offer exchange with no commission, but usually give less favorable rates.
Both American Express and Thomas Cooke have offices in Paris. American Express is located at: 11, rue Scribe, 9th Arrondissement. Metro Stop: Opera or Auber. Across from the back of the Opera House. Open M-F, 9am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-5pm, so if you have American Express travelers checks, you just pop in there for an exchange of your money into French Francs or Euro's if you are in the neighborhood. There is generally NO commission charged if you have their travelers checks. Check with Thomas Cooke to get a guide to their locations in Paris. Also, check around once you are in Paris to find the best places to exchange your money.
According to PLUS, there are PLUS machines all over Paris. They are even at Orly airport and Charles De Gaulle airport. Look for a bank or ATM machine displaying the PLUS sign.
According to CIRRUS, there are over 1,800 machines in Paris. Look for MiniBank or Citibank.
If you use the STAR system, check with your bank for locations.
If you have cash, your best bet is at any bank where the rates are usually more favorable.
Health Insurance: What about health insurance?
U.S. STUDENTS ONLY: All U.S. students should provide to our office evidence of medical insurance valid in England by sending us a photocopy of your insurance card showing the dates you are covered. We recommend the International Student ID Card. It costs about $25.00. It provides some medical and travel insurance and student discounts. International Student ID cards can be obtained from STA Travel or call 1-858-544-9632 or 1-800-226-8624 or at the USD UC Box Office. You should bring a passport size photo when purchasing this card. If you choose this option, please mail/bring a readable copy of the International Student ID Card to our office. Mail us a copy of your proof of insurance, (USD Law School, Attn: Ms Darlene Smith, 5998 Alcala Pk LS 310, San Diego, CA 92110-2492) or scan it as an attachment to an e-mail (no faxes) to Ms Darlene Smith darlenes@sandiego.edu. We strongly suggest that you keep any health insurance you have current.
If you do not have health insurance, the International Students I.D. Card, which provides you with some discount entrance fees and air fares to many sights, comes with some health insurance. Cost: $25. (USD students can buy these cards at the UC box office). Bring a passport-sized photo to avoid extra cost. The USD Campus Card Services office in the Bookstore (Loma Hall) now offers passport pictures - $10 for 2 pictures. Otherwise you can purchase your health insurance coverage commercially, through your parents insurance, through AAA (if you, your spouse or your parents are a member). You should double check that it covers you during your summer trip. For more general travel info contact: STA Travel or call 1-858-544-9632, or 1-800-226-8624.
Check to ensure that your current insurance covers you while you are in Europe. Ask if they will reimburse your out-of-pocket expense for doctor, prescriptions, etc. when you return to the U.S., if you provide them with receipts. A doctor's visit alone can cost $50 plus whatever medications in case you run into problems. Our USD-Paris office will have the names of English speaking doctors.
Medication and Glasses: What about my medications and glasses?
We strongly suggest that you bring at least an extra months supply of whatever medications you take. You should also bring prescription from your doctor in case you need a refill. You should also bring a prescription for your eye glasses/contacts as well.
Local transport: Tell me about transportation within Paris.
Transportation within Paris is easy and efficient.There are 3 ways to go: Metro, RER, or Bus. Click here for more in depth info. Paris transportation information
What about program organized legal events?
Past students have visited the Palais de Justice, Palais du Luxembourg, Senate, Conseil d'Etat, and a roundtable discussion of practicing law in Paris.
What about program organized tourist events?
Past student have visited Chartres, Claude Monet's home at Giverny, the chateaux of the Loire Valley, Champagne, Versailles, Normandy, Vedettes de Pont Neuf boat trip, and Rouen. Costs are determined by how many persons sign up on the list in Paris.
Also, many students visit - Mt. St. Michel, Bayeux, and the Riviera as well as trips to England, Ireland and other foreign ports on their own.
For more information click Paris Tips - General
References: Names and addresses of former students.
If you would like names and phone numbers of previous Paris students who stayed in apartments, just send Cindy an e-mail cking@sandiego.edu and she'll e-mail you back. Or if you have more questions that were not answered in these FAQ's or in the Paris Tips -General section send Cindy an e-mail.
Questions:
Send Cindy or Darlene an e-mail should you have more questions that were not answered in these FAQ's or in the Paris Tips - General section cking@sandiego.edu or darlenes@sandiego.eduIf you find an error, please let Cindy or Darlene know by providing the exact web site address location (http://www.sandiego.edu/lawabroad/..............) where the problem is located by cutting and pasting it into your e-mail, so that it can be corrected right away. Thank you!