Fall – 14 weeks (September 19 - December 20, 2008)
Spring – 15 weeks (early February to mid May)

Fall Semester 2008 closed

Sponsored by James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program, sponsored by James Madison College at Michigan State University, is an academically challenging program located at Palacký University in the Czech Republic. Students will experience first-hand the political, social and economic transitions in the Czech Republic. They will also have the opportunity to participate in Czech culture and social life, as well as travel within the Czech Republic and surrounding countries.

Where does it take place?

Today's modern Czech Republic (pop. 10 million) was formed by the ancient principalities of Bohemia and Moravia. Building on a thousand-year history of being at the crossroads of European politics, conflict and intellectual development, the Czech Republic bears both the scars and the richness of that legacy. From the devastation of the Thirty Years War, the First World War, and the Second World War, through periods of Austro-Hungarian, German and Soviet occupation, to the 1989 Velvet Revolution and post-Communist reconstruction, the Czech Republic has been on the frontlines of an extraordinary amount of European and world history. The Czech Republic is an ideal location to study the impact of that history on the contemporary politics, social developments and economic trends of the Central European region. As the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania become more fully integrated into the European Union and NATO, and as democracy and market economies become more firmly established in the region, the place of the Czech Republic and Central Europe on the historical frontlines continues.

Olomouc has emerged as one of the three most significant Czech cities (along with Prague and Brno), and the cultural capital of Moravia. It has a rich architectural legacy (dating to its status as a regional capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire), and a lively cultural scene. The presence of Palacký University makes for an active student life, and the location of Palacký's campus in the historic center of the city puts students in close proximity to the major sites and amenities.

What can I study?

The program offers students the opportunity to take the following six courses in the Department of Politics and European Studies (DPES) at Palacký University:

Students are required to enroll for all twelve (12) credits.

All courses will be taught in English by DPES faculty. Additionally, students have the option of a Czech Language course.

If you are considering this program, you should consult your advisor to arrange your curriculum accordingly.

This is a co-sponsored program.  Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/people/students.html.
 
To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit http://transfer.msu.edu/Institution.asp and http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROINFO/CSSAP/CSSAPmain.asp. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

MSU students who have had relevant preparatory coursework in the social sciences and/or James Madison College are eligible to apply.

Applicants must have at least junior status and be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.50 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must also submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Student lodging will be provided in a residence hall maintained by Palacký University. The residence hall is located approximately 10 minutes, via a tram ride, from the town center and the university.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Grant Littke
James Madison College
329 Case Hall
Phone: (517) 353-6757
E-mail: littke@msu.edu

You can also visit Palacký’s Web page at http://kpes2.upol.cz/cesp/.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

A valid passport and student visa are required for this program. Processing of visa applications can take up to 12 weeks and requires substantial documentation that must accompany the application. Students applying for this program should call the Czech Consulate to request a visa application and list of visa requirements.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee for Fall Semester 2008 is $4,603 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• tuition and fees
• accident and sickness insurance

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• airfare
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for fall semester participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home, can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.