AmbEx | Organization

Q: How many college units do I need to have completed to apply?
A: College units are used to measure potential academic success at AmbEx. Students having fewer than 15 semester units must request an exception to policy, explaining why they lack units and why they believe they are capable of studying at the collegiate level.

Q: When may I submit my application?
A: Anytime. Registration is open. Register early to reserve a space.

Q: What are the application deadlines?
A: Summer Term(s) 2008 – Feb 29, 2008
A: Fall (Sept-Dec) 2008 – May 15, 2008
A: Spring (Jan-Apr) 2009 – December 19, 2008
Application/Registration is open year around but there is limited space, i.e. 40 students per semester.

Q: What is required as part of the application?
A: Applicants may complete the on-line application or mail-in forms which include an essay, reference from a Christian Leader and signature from your academic/faculty advisor.

Q: How does AmbEx make acceptance decisions?
A: By committee. If you are applying the first semester of your freshman year, SAT/ACT scores are evaluated as well as your high school GPA, along with the application materials (above). If you have completed a semester of college coursework, you will be evaluated on the basis of your application packet.

Q: When will I know whether or not I am accepted?
A: Usually within a couple of weeks.

Q: I'm on a wait list. What are my chances and when will I know if I get to go?
A: It is impossible to predict how quickly space(s) may become available in the program. If a position becomes available, only the student(s) on the waiting list who have been accepted will be notified. It is important that the Study Abroad office has your current contact information at all times. If the information from your application changes (most importantly, your address, phone number or language 151 status), please contact the Study Abroad Office with the new information. If your plans change, let the SAO know you are no longer be interested, so that any place that opens can be offered to a fellow student.

Q: What other options do I have if I've been placed on a wait list?
A: If you are on the wait list and want to go abroad, you can also apply for a summer program. Summer programs are generally less competitive than the academic year programs.

Selection Process

Q: What happens after I am accepted?
A: After acceptances are sent, accepted students should begin working down the AmbEx Checklist, preparing for their study/travel abroad i.e. passports, tickets, course registration, etc. Students must complete and turn in their acceptance paperwork to confirm their space in the program.

Academics & Language

Q: Are there any language course pre-requisites?
A: No. However it is a distinct advantage to have some German language aptitude or ability. Students are encouraged to take an introductory course, classroom or self taught/paced courses prior to arriving in Germany. Rosetta Stone has an excellent German Language software course--$99 on-line download.

Q: Do I have to take a language while overseas?
A: Yes and No. If you have passed the equivalent of German I or a diagnostic exam you will be exempt.

Q: Who teaches the courses at AmbEx?
A: Highly qualified visiting professors from the U.S. and/or adjunct faculty living in Germany who bring a European, Bibliocentric view to the classroom.

Q: Are computers available overseas?
A: The AmbEx residence and classroom provide wireless WIFI connection. Students are strongly encouraged to bring a notebook computer with wireless internet capability. Otherwise, Amberg has Internet Café’s and the German college nearby to access the internet.

Q: Can I do directed studies?
A: Any directed studies must be approved by your faculty advisor at your home campus.

Q: Does AmbEx have five-day classes?
A: Classes are conducted Monday – Thursday.

Accommodations

Q: Can my friends and parents stay with me at the AmbEx residence?
A: Generally no. For various reasons, please understand that only registered AmbEx students are allowed to stay in the AmbEx residence overnight. Program directors can help you find affordable accommodations nearby.

Q: What about telecommunications e.g. telephone connections?
A:

· US cell phones even with a SIM card have limited coverage and are usually limited to large German cities--Amberg may not be included.

· Students may find it less expensive to purchase a German cell phone and prepaid service.

· Students may purchase a prepaid phone card that can be used in a public telephone at the post office and/or T-Mobile phone booth.

· AmbEx will make available a 'land line' or traditional phone for 'short' calls @ 10 cents per minute.

Costs

Q: How much does the program cost?
A: Tuition $10,200; Room & Board $3,500.
Note: Tuition, Room and Board costs are less than most private Christian Colleges semesters. The Academic tour is include however, student airfare and independent travel are additional expenses to the student.

Q: What is included in the AmbEx costs?
A: The cost includes room, board, transportation, educational field trips, museum entrance fees and other curricular group activities.

Q: Are there any external costs associated with the program that are not included in the AmbEx tuition, room & board charge?
A: Air, bus and train fares unless part of the AmbEx scheduled academic tours. Additionally there is oftentimes a fee associated with obtaining a student/study visa. This cost varies from country to country, year to year. Some programs may require local health insurance coverage upon arrival in the country. You will also want to research your own personal health insurance coverage to confirm whether or not you are covered overseas and whether or not you need to purchase additional coverage. There is a fee for obtaining or renewing your passport. You will need to research these fees which are payable directly to the service provider.

Q: Does financial aid apply to AmbEx?
A: Check with your home campus Financial Aid office.

Q: How much spending money should I take with me?
A: How much money you will need depends entirely on personal spending preferences. Some of the factors to take into consideration are how much you think you'll be traveling, how much you normally spend while independently traveling for meals, lodging, etc., and how many souvenirs you think you want to buy. Former Study Abroad students in Germany say on average they spend anywhere from $500-$1,500 per semester.

Q: How do I get money when I'm overseas?
A: ATMs accepting Visa and Master Card are easily accessible in most cities. It is important to check with your bank to make sure you have an international pin number. Traveler's Checks can be used as well, but steep conversion fees may apply if it is not exchanged at the agency that issued the checks. Using credit cards for purchases in Germany is not so common. Most students use cash for purchase (obtained from an ATM machine or traveler's checks) in Europe.

Passports & Visas

Q: How do I get a passport?
A: You should begin applying for a passport as soon as possible. A list of the addresses, phone numbers, passport requirements and business hours of locations in the area that process passports is available on-line. You may also visit the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services web site for more information such as passport offices nationwide, passport applications, and passport renewals at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

If you do not have a current passport, apply now. This will require a certified copy of the birth certificate. Depending upon the region, these can take a few weeks to receive. Start now--please.

If you have a passport that was obtained before you turned 16, you will need a renewal since passports issued before 16 expire in 5 years (as opposed to10). As students apply a year in advance, the passport must be also be valid the year of study abroad as well as 6-12 months after the return to the States, depending upon the airline used and/or the consulate requirements for your student visa. Renew now.

Q: Do I need a visa to participate in my program?
A: No. However, if AmbEx students are staying beyond their 90 day tourist Visa they are required to obtain a Student Residence VISA. Please seek to obtain a German Student Visa well before your departure/arrival date. Otherwise, AmbEx program administers will assist students when you arrive in Amberg. Note: Students staying less than 90 days are not required to have a Visa.

Q: Where do I get a visa? How much does it cost?
A: Visas are issued through the embassy or consulate of the appropriate host country. German Consulate web site They may as a last option be obtained soon after arriving in Amberg. Cost is $41.

Q: When do I get my visa?
A: Visas are issued for a certain length of time. To avoid early expiration, the consulate will issue your visa no more than 90 days prior to your program’s departure.

Q: Will it take a long time to get a visa?
A: The visa process is extensive and can take up to six weeks (or more) before you receive your visa.

Q: How do I get a visa?
A: Your host college Study Abroad Office (SAO) will assist you. You can also go to the German Consulate web site. Our AmbEx staff, as a back-up is also available to walk you through the process and give general guidelines regarding documents for Germany but, ultimately, it is your responsibility to contact the appropriate consulate, provide all necessary documents, comply with any additional requirements given to you by the consulate and apply for your student visa. YOU MUST HAVE A VALID PASSPORT TO SUBMIT TO THE CONSULATE WHILE YOUR VISA IS BEING PROCESSED.

Q: What can I do now?
A:
1) If you do not have a current passport, apply now. This will require a certified copy of the birth certificate. Depending upon the region, these can take a few weeks to receive. Start now.

2) If you have a passport that was obtained before you turned 16, you will need a renewal since passports issued before 16 expire in5 years (as opposed to10). As students apply a year in advance, the passport must be also be valid the year of study abroad as well as 6-12 months after the return to the States, depending upon the airline used and/or the consulate requirements for your student visa. Renew now.

3) Verify coverage for your current health insurance policy. Ask for a list of all international locations. Specific requirements will differ according to the program you apply for and are accepted to; however, as all students are required to have current health insurance coverage, you can determine the scope now and evaluate whether or not you will want or need to purchase different coverage for the time that you will be abroad.

Travel

Q: From where do the students depart and arrive?
A: Students itineraries should be routed to Nurnberg (NUE) airport where they will clear customs. Students coming from the U.S. will initially land in either Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Munich, Zurich, London or Prague then take a short flight to Nurnberg.

Students arriving at NUE on January 19, 2008 will be greeted at the airport and joyously escorted to Amberg. Otherwise, you will find it easy to purchase a train ticket, take the subway to the main train station "Hauptbahnhof" in Nurnberg then catch the train to Amberg (55' transit time). Students having difficulties or delays may call AmbEx and make arrangements to be picked-up in Nurnberg.

Q: Is the cost of airfare included in the program charge?
A: No. Tuition rates were lowered such that students could budget and arrange their own transportation expense.

Q: Can I arrange my own travel to the program?
A: Yes. AmbEx advises students to route their airfare to Nurnberg (NUE) to preclude distant transportation problems. Amberg is only a 50’ ride/drive from NUE. Students needing to be picked up by a privately owned vehicle (POV) will be charged at a per mile rate of .60c.

Q: What opportunities are there for travel?
A: Traveling to selected destinations will definitely be a part of your educational experience. However, these are serious academic programs and your studies must come first. Also, don't overlook exploring and learning about the city and country in which your program is located by visiting only distant places. There is an educational field trip in both the fall and spring terms of each academic year program. Class schedules vary for the summer programs.

Q: I'm going overseas for a year. What do I do over the Christmas break?
A: Many students use the Christmas break to travel to more distant locations than they can visit during the semester. Others purchase a ticket to return home for Christmas with their family and friends. In other cases, the family from the U.S. visits the student overseas and they travel together during the holidays. The AmbEx residences will be open on a space available basis between semesters. Nightly rates will be reduced. Students will make their own arrangements for meals. Home stay families should not be asked and are not expected to house students during this time.

Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: It is recommended you obtain travel insurance prior to coming to AmbEx. You may obtain it through many different insurance providers. Check first with your current insurance company as it's possible to receive a discount as a current customer. A few recommended companies are www.travelinsured.com and www.travelguard.com.

Q: May friends or alumni visit AmbEx facilities?
A: Yes! Gladly. Arrangements to visit a facility abroad can be made by calling the Program Director. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Visits are allowed only during office hours. Visitors may not spend the night in the Residence. Comfortable and reasonably priced lodging accommodations are within easy walking distance of AmbEx.

Q: Is their a special time for Family and Friends to visit AmbEx?
A: Yes. Family and Friends are invited to accompany the Academic Tour on a space available basis. Please plan ahead and coordinate with AmbEx officials.

Q: How many students enroll at AmbEx?
A: Students are organized into a Cohort that may reach as many as 40 students—enough to fill a bus.

Q: Do I need any vaccinations?
A: During your orientation and/or in your orientation book, the Health Center will give information about vaccines. Once you get that information it is your responsibility to get the vaccinations that are specific to your program. If you have any other questions call the home campus Health Center or visit your physician. You can also find helpful information at the CDC web site.

Q: Do I need to complete a medical examination evaluation?
A: Yes, all students are required to complete a medical exam by a certified physician and return a form to the campus Study Abroad Office signed by the physician within 90 to 45 days prior to program departure.

Q: Will I graduate on time if I study off campus for a semester?
A: It is important to review how a semester off-campus will fit with your academic program. Summer or Interterm courses may be necessary to meet graduation requirements and to graduate on time.

Q: How will I be billed?
Tuition for Spring semester 2008 = $10,2000.
Room & Board for the same period = $3,500.
Non-refundable Registration Fee = $100

Q: What is the cost for the AmbEx Summer Term & Interterm?
A: Tuition for Summer and Interterm off campus study programs are billed at $525/semester unit.

Q: When do I pay for the semester?
A: Payment in full is due 30 days prior to the first class.

Q: How is credit granted?
A: The semester hours of credit for AmbEx are approved by Corban College and/or the sending college. "Transcripts" are sent from AmbEx to the Office of the Registrar at the end of each semester. Program directors review the "transcripts" and apply grades to the courses as appropriate.

Q: Can I study abroad for more than one semester?
A: Possibly. Students may request a second semester abroad by following the same procedure as with the first semester. Students should carefully consider Student VISA requirements, financial aid requirements and education/graduation plans. If the second semester off-campus will be completed in immediate succession to the first, both Registration and Approval forms should be completed and turned in prior to departure for the first semester of off-campus study. Please notify the home campus Office of the Registrar if you are considering this possibility.

Q: How is health care handled?
A: Students are responsible for obtaining insurance that covers them in Germany. Students must prove they have health insurance as part of their Registration Package. Most insurance policies require the student to pay out of pocket and later claim reimbursement.

Q: How does health care differ in Germany?
A: There is little difference. Amberg has a ‘state of the art’ university hospital and emergency room. Nearly every specialty of health care is provided. Physicians and their staff are proficient in English.

Q: What about pharmaceutical matters?
A: If you are on medication be sure to bring along your prescriptions. For additional information visit the U.S. State Department http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness.