Fall 2016 Trinity College in Paris

Trinity College in Paris
Fall 2016
Program Dates:
Leave the U.S.: Friday August 26, 2016 *
Arrive in Paris: Saturday August 27, 2016
Depart Paris: Saturday December 17, 2016
* Students attending Sciences Po University should plan to leave the U.S. on August 17th and arrive in Paris
on August 18th, 2016
(Important: Students may not travel during the first two weeks of the program
and must consult the program calendar before making any travel plans during
the semester)
Phone: (860) 297-2392
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.trincoll.edu/studyaway
Paris Arrondissements
The Trinity in Paris program office is located in the Saint- Germain-des-Pres neighborhood in the
6th arrondissement.
Campus Addresses / Emergency Contacts
Trinity College Address
Office of Study Away
Trinity College
300 Summit Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Tel: (860) 297-2005
Fax: (860) 297-5218
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.trincoll.edu/UrbanGlobal/StudyAway/programs/TrinityPrograms/
Paris/Pages/default.aspx
The Paris Office
Trinity College in Paris/CEI
1 Rue Gozlin
75006 Paris, France
Tel: 01133 6 70 88 62 70
Trinity in Paris Director
Francie Seder
Student Mailing Address (in Paris)
SEND ALL STUDENT MAIL HERE’
STUDENT NAME
c/o Trinity College in Paris/CEI
1 Rue Gozlin
75006 Paris
France
Tel: 01133 6 70 88 62 70
Email:
[email protected]
Cell: 011 33 6 74 18 99 98
Emergency Contacts
Preferred Hospital in Paris:
The American hospital
63, Bd Victor Hugo
92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine – France
During Business Hours:
Office of Study Away
(860) 297-2392
After Hours / Weekends:
Call Campus Safety in Hartford and they
will contact an on-call staff member:
(860) 297-2222
Emergency Medical Care:
Contact HTH Insurance
Inside the U.S. at 1-800-257-4826
Outside the U.S. (collect) at 1-610-254-8771
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CONTENTS
Important To Do Checklists!
To Do - Before You Leave Campus
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To Do - No Later than One Month Before Departure
9
10
To Do - Any Time Prior to Departure
Academics
Course Information
12
Registration
12
Grade Reporting
13
Attendance
13
Intellectual Honesty
13
Academic Standards
13
Books & Supplies
13
Billing, Fees, & Financial Aid
Billing & Fees
14
Financial Aid
14
Studying & Living in Paris
Arrival in Paris
15
Departure from Paris
Directions to Campus
15
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Housing
Lodging in Paris Getting to know your new home
Rooming Arrangements
Laundry, Linens, & Cleaning
Meeting your peers - The cultural Mentor Program
Local Transportation
Meals
Special Dietary Needs
Visits by Family & Friends
Mail from Home
Telephone Communications
Staff Support
Computers & The Library
Developing Your Own Focus: Getting the Most out of Your Time in Paris
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Pre-Departure Preparation
Flight Booking: Arrival & Departure Dates
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Personal Belongings / Baggage / Shipping Belongings
23
Electrical Appliances
23
When Packing Time Comes!
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Travel Documents
Passports
Visas
International Students on F-1 Visas 25
25
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Money: How to Plan
So How Much Money Should I Bring?
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Medical Issues
Health Insurance:
Medical Emergencies
General Medical Recommendations
Medical Advice In Summary
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Regulations Regarding Behavior
Code of Conduct
31
Violating Rules: Consequences
32
Safety & Security
General Information & Recommendations
When in Public
Money and Valuables
Do Research Before Traveling
While Traveling
Hotels & Hostels
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Special Considerations for Women
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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues Abroad
35
Disabled Students Abroad
36
Personal Property and Liability Insurance
36
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Introduction
You are about to begin one of the most exciting and challenging periods of your life! Your new home will be
the Trinity College in Paris program, based in the infamous Latin Quarter of St. Germain-des-Pres in central
Paris. You will attend classes taught by European and American professors, you will speak a foreign language
and meet people from all over the world. After taking more photographs than you will ever persuade your
family to look at, you will return home more tolerant, more independent, and better informed about the world
in which we live. The friends you make in Paris will be friends for life. Every detail of your stay, from classes
to travel adventures, will remain in your mind long
after the “reverse culture shock” of adjusting to life
back in the States.
This guide contains information regarding some of
the many details for your stay in Paris. Of course, it
will not prepare you for everything—that would take
away the fun of your individual overseas experience.
This is intended as a supplement to the orientation
you will receive when you arrive in Paris. We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the
content before you leave! It will be very helpful as
you prepare for your move to Paris!
Welcome!
Thank you for choosing France and the “city of light” as your study abroad destination! You are about to
embark on one of the most exciting experiences of your college career. Indeed, studying abroad is one of the
wisest decisions one could make because, if the goal of education is to broaden a student’s horizons, there is
no better way to achieve this than by living and studying in a foreign country.
During your Parisian sojourn you will grow intellectually and socially, you will be exposed to a new culture
and learn how societies find diverse solutions to similar problems. You will be challenged to speak a language
that is not your own but that is spoken by 300 hundred millions people in the world . Thanks to language
classes and the immersion into the francophone environment you will also discover that your communicative
skills are more advanced than you could ever imagine. With many countries in Europe at your doorstep, it
will be a semester of cultural discoveries. Paris is a star destination worldwide but France has a great diversity
of regions like the Alps, Provence, Burgundy, Alsace, Brittany and plenty of gorgeous and famous cities like
Bordeaux, Nice, Aix-en-Provence or Marseilles which all convey their own atmosphere and individuality. Our
campus is located at Saint-Germain-des-Près, the historical core of our vibrant capital.
We at Trinity College in Paris will do our best to make sure that, like all of the students who have studied here,
your term abroad will be the most memorable of your college experience.
We look forward to your arrival!
Trinity in Paris staff and faculty
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Important To Do Checklists!
The following checklists contain important “to do” items, organized by what needs to be done immediately, what needs to be done while still on campus the term prior to departure, what needs to be done at least a
month before departure, and what needs to be done at any time prior to departure. We recommend that you
actually check these things off as you do them. Except for the few that are labeled “optional,” you MUST
do all of these things, and doing them within the time frame recommended will make your preparation
to study abroad as stress free as possible. Please note that the only critically important “to do” items that are
NOT on these lists are those detailed in the visa application instructions provided on our web site (see first to
do item below for details).
To Do - Immediately
To Do - Before You Leave Campus
The following two items are important to do right
away. Delay can jeopardize your opportunity to study
in France.
Here are a few things that you should do while you
are still on campus (the term before you will be
studying in Paris).
‰‰ Review visa application requirements and
get started on the process. The first and most
important thing to do once you have decided
to study in France is review the visa application
requirements, which you will find on our web
site. DO NOT DELAY in reviewing the visa
application procedures, as they are involved and
stressful, if not impossible, to complete at the
last minute. They are NOT stressful if you get
them done in a timely manner. Students can find
information about the visa process on the Trinity
in Paris website at:
http://www.trincoll.edu/UrbanGlobal/StudyAway/programs/TrinityPrograms/Paris/Accepted%20Students/Pages/Visa.aspx
‰‰ Meet with your academic advisor(s) before
leaving. Discuss the courses that you think
you’re going to take in Paris and make sure that
you understand any requirements that you need
to fulfill in order to graduate that can be met
while in Paris. It is very important to know how
your studies abroad will fit with your graduation
and major/minor requirements.
‰‰ Make on campus housing arrangements for
your return, if you will be living on campus.
Check with the Office of Residential Life with
regard to policies and procedures in order to plan
for your return to campus. Trinity students may
need to designate a proxy for the housing lottery,
and this should be done before leaving campus
the term prior to study abroad.
‰‰ Ensure that you have a valid passport. In order
to receive a visa to study in France, students must
have a passport that is valid for a full six months
AFTER the end date of the program, which can
be found on the cover of this handbook. Do not
make the mistake of not checking your passport.
If the French consulate denies your visa application because of passport validity issues, it will
typically be too close to the start of the program
to get your passport renewed and visa application
resubmitted in time for departure.
‰‰ Meet with someone in Financial Aid (if applicable). If you receive financial aid, meet with
someone in the financial aid office. Trinity students should meet with Morgan Pohorylo in the
Financial Aid office and can make an appointment with her by going to www.mywco.com/
studyaway.
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To Do - No Later than One Month Before Departure
‰‰ Book your flight. See “Organizing a Flight” in
the Pre-Departure Preparation section of this
handbook for details. You must arrive on campus
before 1:00pm on the start date of the program.
Orienation starts at 4:00 pm on August 27th, and
you must be there for the start of orienation. Accommodations are up to you if you arrive before
then or stay later.
‰‰ Optional but recommended: Purchase an International Student ID Card (ISIC). The ISIC card
is an almost universally accepted form of student
ID (U.S. college IDs are not guaranteed to be
accepted for student discounts in Europe, but the
ISIC is accepted nearly everywhere). For more
information on the ISIC card, visit their website
at http://www.isic.org/ or statravel.com. You can
purchase the card from STA Travel’s website. the
ISIC website listed above will also list location
where you can purchase the card in person.
‰‰ Go in for routine exams – have a physical and
dental cleaning. If you have already had a checkup and dental exam in the past six months and
aren’t having any problems, you can check this
item off the list! Otherwise we recommend that
this be done at least a month before departure
so that there is time for any necessary follow-up
care.
‰‰ Notify the Office of Study Away of ongoing
medical treatment. If you are receiving ongoing treatment of any kind, or anticipate needing
treatment of any kind during the semester in
Paris, please notify us at [email protected] or (860) 297-4178. This information will
only be shared with key staff members in Paris.
‰‰ Get an international Mastercard or Visa with
a chip (versus a magnetic strip), notify credit
and debit card companies of travel , and scan
your cards. For security reasons, many ATM machines will only accept credit cards with a computer chip rather than a magnetic strip. This type
of card is also required to use the metro ticket
machines. It is also important to call your credit/
debit card companies and tell them that you are
moving abroad. They will put you in touch with
a fraud prevention expert who will associate
your travel dates with your account. You must do
this, or your account will be frozen. Also, scan
all cards and email yourself the images, or make
sure you have the card number, expiration info,
security code on the back, AND the international
phone number for the card in a secure place. If
you lose a card, you will need this information.
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To Do - Any Time Prior to Departure
‰‰ Review the Paris Campus’s Regulations Regarding Behavior. You can find the regulations
regarding behavior in this handbook. For your
safety, and the safety and well-being of other students on the program, these regulations will be
strictly enforced. We want you to have an incredible academic and personal experience in Paris
that you will remember for a lifetime – and we
want you to do so safely and without infringing
on the ability of other students to do the same.
Any student who endangers themselves or others
and/or engages in illegal activity or other activities
forbidden by the regulations will be expelled from
the program.
zens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign
country. Registration allows you to record
information about your upcoming trip abroad
that the Department of State can use to assist
you in case of an emergency. Americans residing abroad can also get standard information
from their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
You will enroll in the STEP Program. To enroll
and for more information see https://step.state.
gov/step/
‰‰ Check it out! The U.S. State Department has
launched a “Students Abroad” website designed
for students, their parents, education abroad
professional, etc. It has great information and
students may download flyers called Go! guides
as well as a Tips to Go and a Wallet Card for
emergency contact information. https://travel.
‰‰ Make plans concerning Graduate Exams (if
applicable). If you are studying abroad during
spring of your junior year and planning on taking a graduate or other exam (e.g. LSAT, GRE,
and MCAT), you may need to register before you
go abroad, or while you are away. Be sure you are
aware of when and how you need to register and
plan accordingly. Some graduate school exams
(Foreign Service, LSAT, GRE, etc.) can be taken
in Europe, if you are studying away during fall of
senior year. Check with the official organization
associated with the exam.
state.gov/content/studentsabroad/en.html
� Optional but recommended: Change $200 USD
into Euros. Visit a bank to have $200 changed
into Euros before departure. This is recommended so that you have cab fare and money on hand
for your first days in Paris. You will be jet-lagged
and excited and somewhat overwhelmed, and
it makes things less stressful if you don’t have to
worry about finding an ATM right away.
‰‰ Register with the U.S. Embassy or of your
home country Students must register with the
U.S. Embassy (or the embassy of their home
country). Travel registration is a free service
provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citi-
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‰‰ Read These Important Safety Tips!
We’ll talk about this during orientation, but in the meantime, here’s some key safety advice that we hope you’ll keep
in mind throughout your semester abroad:
Stay with your friends...and watch out for your
friends! When you are out at night, don’t leave them
alone or stay behind when they go home.
Don’t stay out late, especially
alone, and especially if you’ve been
drinking.
Contact our 24/7 on-call staff in Paris
immediately if anything happens to
you or a friend, or if you have reason
to be concerned.
Don’t abuse alcohol while abroad. Know your limits!
Alcohol plays a role in most student accidents, both in
the U.S. and abroad.
Know Before You Go
Prior to arriving in Paris, you should be able to answer the following questions.
1.
What is a current important issue in your host country?
2.
How do you think this particular issue will impact your study abroad experience?
3.
What are some questions and/or concerns you have about your study abroad experi
ence?
4.
Who is the leader of your host country and what is their title?
5.
What type of government do they have?
6.
What is the population of the city and country?
7.
Who is a famous author or artist from the country?
8.
What type of transportation is available in the city?
9.
What is the average income?
10. What is their health care like?
11. What is the name of the major newspaper?
12. What is a traditional meal or food?
13. What are the names of 5 largest cities in the country?
14. What safety information and issues in the country do you know?
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Academics
We want to emphasize that the program in which you will be participating is, first and foremost, a serious academic enterprise. The
expectations for your academic work on the part of the faculty in
Paris are high, and our faculty and staff assume that you are going
to Paris intending for your focus to be academic study. Of course,
we want students to have incredible personal experiences as well. We
know that you will form lifelong friendships, travel around France
and other parts of Europe, having a great deal of fun along the way.
We cannot emphasize enough, however, the importance of arriving in
Paris prepared to devote yourself to study of French language, culture,
and the subjects of whatever other courses you choose to enroll in.
Course Information
Registration
Registration will be online through the TCOnline
system used for all Trinity College course registration. Trinity students already have access to this
system.
French Course Requirement. Every participant
must take French language for the entire semester.
Course Load Requirement. Students must take a
minimum of 4 credits and a maximum of 6 credits.
Generally each course is worth 1 credit, with some
exceptions.
Visiting students will receive a Trinity email address
and password to log in prior to the opening of registration.
Once in Paris, there is an add/drop period. Each student
will meet directly with the onsite director to review their
courses.
Visiting students should be aware that some colleges require their students to take five courses while
studying abroad in Paris. Be sure to check with your
study away office to make sure you understand your
college’s policy.
Classes may not be taken pass/fail.
Many of the courses in Paris are unlike those that
you would typically take in the United States in that
they use the city of Paris as the classroom and have
you walking around the city as much as possible
instead of sitting in a classroom.
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Academics (continued)
Intellectual Honesty
Grade Reporting
Trinity’s programs abroad are an extension of the
quality of education offered at the home campus. In
that regard, they do not represent a temporary “timeout” or separation from standard academic policies
and procedures, but operate in tandem and conformity with the principles that govern the Hartford
curriculum. This means that adherence to academic deadlines, as well as the consequence of grades
(including poor grades, failing grades, and grades of
excellence) and credit earned at Trinity-administered
programs abroad are subject to the same rules and
regulations that prevail in Hartford. Students participating in Trinity-administered programs are, therefore, reminded to consult the Trinity College Student
Handbook for details regarding academic probation,
faculty honors, transfer credit, etc. while studying
abroad.
Download the Trinity College Student Handbook
at the link below. All students, Trinity and visiting,
are expected to be familiar with the contents of the
student handbook: www.trincoll.edu/sitecollectiondocuments/studenthandbook.pdf.
Trinity’s policies on intellectual honesty apply to all students studying away. In accordance with the Trinity College
Student Integrity Contract, which can be found in the Trinity
College Student Handbook, students are expected to abide by
the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic
exercises. Intellectual honesty assumes that students do their
own work and that they credit properly those upon whose
work and thought they draw. It is the responsibility of each
student to make sure that he or she is fully aware of what
constitutes intellectually honest work in every examination,
quiz, paper, or other academic exercise submitted for evaluation in a Trinity College course taught in Hartford or abroad.
By participating on a Trinity College program, students agree
to abide by this contract and the established procedures for
cases involving academic dishonesty.
Any case of alleged dishonesty will be referred to the main
Trinity campus for adjudication through established procedures. If found in violation of the Integrity Contract, the
student will receive an “F” in the course in question. Additionally, the hearing panel shall recommend a penalty, which
will be placed on the student’s record, either permanently or
for a specified length of time.
Academic Standards
As part of the online steps to confirm your place, you will
electronically sign and agree to Trinity College rules of
conduct and academic regulations. You are subject to these
rules while studying away, whether you are a Trinity Student
or visiting student. The rules that you have agreed to can be
found in your online application (post-acceptance section)
and in the Trinity College Student Handbook (see link to
download the handbook above).
Attendance
As defined in the Trinity College Student Handbook, Trinity
expects all students to attend class regularly. Penalties for
excessive absence from class will be determined
by the course instructor and/or on-site director or staff, and
may include recommending the student’s withdrawal from
the course or the issuance of a failing grade.
Books & Supplies
You do not need to purchase any books in advance of your
arrival in Paris. Past students recommend you bring a few
notebooks with you (esp. spiral bound), as American style
notebooks are hard to find and all notebooks tend to be
much more expensive in Paris. If you have a favorite type of
pen, you should bring that as well.
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Billing, Fees, & Financial Aid
Billing & Fees
The Office of Student Accounts can be
reached at 860-297-2027. They can answer
any questions about billing; for questions
related to the specific costs of the program
(what the charges are for), look for “Billing &
Fees”information in the program website in
the “Accepted Students” section of our web
site, or contact the Office of Study Away at
(860) 297-4178.
Financial Aid
Trinity Students: the Trinity College
Office of Financial Aid can be reached at
860-297-2046. Trinity students should
talk with Morgan Pohorylo about their
financial aid packages. It is possible to set
up a meeting with her using our online
appointment system at www.mywco.com/
studyaway.
Date of Billing: Students will be billed the
entire program fee, in July (for fall semester)
and November (for Spring semester). Bills
will be due in August for fall term and December or early January for spring term.
All payments must be received and cleared
before you arrive at the start of the program.
Where to send payment: Send all payments
directly to the Office of Student Accounts
(make checks out to
Trinity College):
Office of Student Accounts
Trinity College
300 Summit Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Collection Costs in case of Non-Payment:
Any collection costs incurred by the College
will be assessed to the individual responsible
for paying the bill and/or the student attending the program.
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Studying & Living in Paris
Arrival in Paris
Students who arrive on the program start date will
be met at the airport by French student mentors.
They will escort the students to their apartments,
show them around their neighborhood, pointing out
the closest food store, laundromat and metro station,
and then bring them to the Trinity in Paris space
where they will be greeted by the program director
and staff. Orienation will begin in the afternoon.
Save you taxi receipts to give to the Director, who
will reimburse you.
Students arriving before the program start date will
have to make their own arrangements from the
airport, find their own accomodations and arrange
to meet up with the program staff to get into their
apartment and meet up with everyone on the start
date.
Arrival at Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport
Should you need to get your own way into Paris from the airport, you will find taxis lined up at the official cab
stand right outside the airport exit.
Departure from Paris
At the end of the semester in Paris, the students are responsible for their own transportation back to the airport.
Directions to Campus
Directing your taxi driver
Dans le sixième à Paris;
un rue Gozlin, à côté du 147 boulevard
Saint Germain
et prés de l’église St Germain des Prés.
Should you need to get your own way to the
Trinity space, it is helpful to have the address
and directions written out, along with the program directors cell phone number.
You can tell the driver the address is 1 Rue
Gozlin, in Place St. Germaine or just show the
address and instructions on the right. Make
sure the meter is fuctioning before the trip
begins. If it is not functioning, do not take the
cab.
This means: In the 6th in Paris, then
our address, next to 147 boulevard
Saint Germain and near the Saint Germaine Des Pres church.
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Housing
Lodging in Paris
All program participants must live in housing accommodations made by the program and may not make
their own arrangements.
Students are housed in apartments that are located
around the city of Paris. Some students choose to live
with a French home stay family to further their language and cultural immersion. The student apartments
are generally doubles with a few single studios for those
who specifically request to live alone.
Rooming Arrangements
Upon acceptance to the program, students were
given a link to a housing questionnaire that is
completed online. Information provided by
students in that questionnaire is used to place
them with a family or in an apartment with other
students. Room assignments will be given prior
to arrival in Paris.
Trinity College pays all deposits for student housing as well as for utilities and apartment insurance. If there
are any damages to the apartments or if extra cleaning is required, students will be billed accordingly at the
end of the semester. Apartments in Paris are very old and small, and there is very limited space for storing
your belongings, so plan accordingly (bringing suitcases that can nest inside each other for storage is highly
recommended). European standards for climate adjustment are much different than the US, which means
your apartment will likely be warm in the summer/fall and chilly in the winter/spring. You should be sure to
bring something warm to sleep in, and we recommend a micro-fiber blanket as well, because they are warm
but pack easily.
Getting to know your new home
When your arrive at your apartment, the student greeter or the landlor/lady should show you around the
apartment and the neighborhood and give you information on how things work.
Here is a reminder of the basic things you should ask about your new home when you arrive:
• How do the keys and the locks work? Are there any codes you need to know?
• How do you access the internet (usually there is a box with a very long code written on the back whcih
you need to access the wifi)
• Where do you take the garbage?
• How do you work the heat?
• Check that you know how to work the lights
• How do the appliances work?
• Check that there are working smoke detectors
• Is there laundry in the building? If not, where is the closest laundromat?
• Where is the closest food store?
• How do you get to the closest subway station?
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Laundry, Linens, & Cleaning
Each apartment and homestay has it’s
own unique flare, which may or may not
include laundry. Generally, home stay
apartments will have washing
machine and possibly a dryer while most
apartments will not have
either. It is common for laundry to be airdried by being hung up on a rack within
the apartment. You will be provided with
linens, blanket, pillowcases and towels but
most students prefer to bring their own.
You may wish to bring a larger bath
towel and facecloth, as those provided
are small, and we recommend bringing
a blanket (micro fiber or light down that
compresses for packing) to supplement
the blanket that will be provided.
Local Transportation
Most students will use a Navigo card for public
transportation. This pass is good for unlimited
travel on trains and buses around the city and is €68
per month so students should budget accordingly.
Some students who live closer to campus and enjoy
walking can opt to purchase individual tickets as
needed.
Meeting your peers - The cultural Mentor Program
An integral part of the Trinity in Paris program is the Cultural Mentor Program. This is an opportunity to meet regularly with French students, to do activities with them and to converse in
order to learn about their culture, their school, their country and Paris, their life, their interests,
and their language.
Many of mentors will be your greeters at the airport upon your arrival. They are
students from the ICART, a school of art and cultural communication and are your same age for
the most part.
This will give you the chance to meet French contemporaries in a convivial setting, improve
your spoken French and they their English. It will also help you to improve your cultural awareness and fluency regarding French cultures.
These meetings will take place every other week in the evening.
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Meals
Students are expected to have the funds available for their meals. Students living in apartments will be responsible for
providing and preparing all of their own meals – they will have kitchen facilities and supplies. Students living with a family
will be provided with all breakfasts and three dinners per week.
Students living in apartments should be aware that the kitchen facilties are very basic. There is typically just a hot plate (no
oven) and a small fridgerator and sink. Students in the past have found it helpful to find some recipes that can be made
with a hotplate or stove top and others have created cookbooks of dishes they adapted for the circumstances.
We recommend allotting $2500 for food if you are living in a homestay and $3000 if you are living in an apartment.
We suggest shopping at local supermarkets, such as ED, Franprix or Monoprix—the best Monoprix in Paris is situated one
block from the Trinity Paris site. Vegetarians and organic food lovers will want to discover the natural foods store, Naturalia. Students should also look for the daily or weekly open-air markets in your neighborhood where you can purchase
your fresh produce. If you go to these markets within one half hour of closing time you can often get good deals. Going
to the market provides another great way to practice your language skills and to experience the rich culinary heritage of
France. Butchers and fishmongers will often give you advice on how to cook your meat or fish, if you ask.
In addition to cooking, there are many relatively inexpensive places to eat in the Latin Quarter and in nearby areas. There
are food stands and bakeries in every neighborhood in Paris.
Special Dietary Needs
Visits by Family & Friends
Students living with a French home stay family must
provide details of any food restrictions in the housing
questionnaire provided so that can be taken into
consideration when arranging the accommodations.
Family and friends are welcome to visit you but you
must consult the program calendar for times when there
are mandatory program activities scheduled . Students
may not miss excursions and must plan their travels and
visits from family and friends accordingly. As well as
exposing you to other parts of the country and historical
moments, the excursions do correspond with various
courses you will be enrolled in so failure to attend the
excursions will be reflected in your final grades. Students may not miss any classes because of visitors.
The Trinity in Paris program is academically rigorous
and our staff expects a lot from you, including your full
commitment to the course work and related programing
and activities.
18
Mail from Home
ALL mail should be sent to the Trinity space and NOT to the students apartment.
You may receive mail, including packages, at the following address:
Trinity/CEI Paris
1, Rue GOZLIN
75006 Paris
France
On average, mail from the U.S. arrives in 7 days. Do inform your family and friends that
they may not hear from you promptly or regularly and therefore ought not to worry. Nor
should you worry if you do not receive mail from home with regularity.
Any package sent from the U.S. to France is taxed at delivery (on a proportionate scale) if
the value of the package or its insured amount exceeds $10.00. Sometimes it has cost students more to receive a package than to purchase the contents in Paris. Do not mail a computer or camera! Also be aware that some items such as foods and medications frequently
get hung up in customs. If you are mailing these, we recommend they are sent in a package
with other items (and do not list them in the contents on the shipping label).
NEARBY HOTELS
These hotels are in the same neighborhood as the Trinity in Paris
space and have served guests well in
the past. There are, of course, many
other options in Paris.
Grand Hotel De L’Univers
Rue Grégoire De Tours,
135€-185€ per night
Tonic Hotel
15 rue des Quatre-Vents
http://www.hotelduglobeparis.com
About 220€ per night
The hotel de Seine
52 rue de Seine
http://www.hoteldeseine.com
around 160€)
19
L’hôtel d’Angleterre
rue Jacob 44 rue Jacob
About 227€
Telephone Communications
Staff Support
You have two options for a cell phone in Paris.
Although the students are living all over the city,
they will have daily contact with the program
director, in addition to the faculty. The program
staff are available to the students 24/7 and students
should call them if they need any assistance or are
ill.
1). You can use a program phone. The Paris program
can loan you a phone for the
semester. You will pay for the
minutes on the phone. The
phone, and its charger, must be
returned in good working order
at the end of the semester. You
are responsible for replacing it
if it is damaged or stolen. Any
outstanding bills related to the
use of cell phones must be settled before you leave Paris. Failure to do so may result in a hold being placed
upon your record at Trinity.
2) You can use your phone from home,
A) You can keep your number and use an
international plan-please discuss this option with your
parents and your cell phone provider. You will keep
your US number with this option.
B) You can purchase a French sim card for
your phone. You must call your cell phone company to
unlock your phone before leaving the States. You will
have a French number with this option.
Computers & The Library
Personal Computers. There are 3 PCs available at the
Trinity space for student use and 2 network printers in
the library. Students are encouraged to bring their own
laptops. Do NOT ship your computer, as you will incur
customs charges that may come close to the value of the
machine.
You are required to give the Director your cell phone
number.
You are expected to always have enough minutes on
your phone to make emergency calls or other purposes deemed necessary by the on-site coordinators.
You should keep the phone with you, in a secure place
(please refer to the section on safety), at all times, but
especially when you travel outside the city.
Internet: The campus is equipped with a wireless network connection that covers the office. All apartments
have internet but students should be prepared that the
speed and reliability are not as good as in the U.S.
Please note, however, that iphones are the #1 most
stolen item and students are advised to leave them in
their apartments when they go out to avoid being pick
pocketed.
20
Developing Your Own Focus: Getting the Most
out of Your Time in Blank
If the Paris experience is to pay off for you in the full sense, you will have
to take charge of your life in new ways. You will find, for example, that you
You have a semester to spend
will have to supply much of the “rhythm and pace” to your life in Europe.
living Paris. What exactly are
Many of your normal habits and obligations will not be relevant in Paris,
and you will have to build new daily patterns. Similarly, you will want to
you going to do with it?
meet Europeans as quickly as you can, but this won’t just “happen.” You
will have to develop a strategy to maximize your social contacts. This may
mean involving yourself in all kinds of things that would not normally attract you. You have to find different ways of
breaking into the already-established lives of your French peers.
Above all, you must develop new intellectual and cultural interests. If you do not have projects to pursue—interests to
cultivate—time will drift and you will constantly be “waiting” for something to happen to you. It probably won’t. The
direction, the force, the interest and the independence in your life will have to be supplied by you.
This section is for the students who ask: How, specifically, do you go about developing “rhythm and pace” in your life?
How do you make social contacts outside your ordinary pattern? How in the world do you actually pursue a so-called
“intellectual and cultural interest” to get the results of which we are speaking? There are many answers to these questions and they will be different for each individual. You must ask yourself what kinds of things you feel most comfortable with—what sort of person you might like to become.
By way of example, we offer the following ideas in order to suggest the kind of things that we are talking about. The
details are variable, and you may not share the interests mentioned below. Fine. But do find something—some key—
which will unlock France for you in an interesting way that is meaningful for you as an individual. You have a semester
to spend living in Paris. What exactly are you going to do with it?
Example A: Cultivate Fluency in French
Example B: Become An Art Lover
Whether you are a whiz at languages, or not, in Paris you
will have a golden opportunity to achieve fluency (or at
least proficiency). You may decide it is a great idea to use
this as a key to discovering France. Some suggestions:
You may know nothing about art/architecture now, but it
is another key that unlocks many avenues in the cultural
history of France. Here you just have to pick your main
interests. It might be church art, contemporary design, or
the art of a particular time period or region.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Opt to live with a French homestay family
Attend Frenchs films once or twice a week.
Attend French plays.
Attend lectures in French.
Ask the faculty to alert you to important
lecturers or local talks/events.
Watch French TV
Read French newspapers and magazines.
Ask the program staff about a language exchange with
a French student
• Expand on what you learn in art history class.
• Attend all gallery shows (commercial and museum)
•
•
•
•
21
in Paris.
Read the art section of the local English newspaper.
Exhaust (if possible) the art of Paris on day trips.
Develop a program of private reading and studying.
Keep a journal of experiences and impressions for
future reference.
Example C: Become An Amateur Environmentalist
Additional Ideas
Our staff in Paris will be happy to help you if you ask
them about something specific that you might like to try
out. Here are a few ideas:
If cities and landscape and quality of life excite you, you
might want to focus in a conscious way upon the urban
environment, the rural environment, etc. How is it managed? What makes it what it is? What is different?
• Try to visit every arrondissment and find some thing
or place interesting in each
• Take ballet or yoga lessons taught in French.
• Join a rugby or soccer club.
• Join a local drama group.
• How is Paris planned? How is pollution controlled?
• Study the geography of cities or towns elsewhere in
France.
• Photograph and catalogue important environmental
details and patterns.
• Enlarge your comparisons to the nearby cities andcountryside. Visit outlying areas of the city.
Pretty much anything that you are interested in doing
during your free time in the United States, you can find
the French doing in France. Starting out with a common
interest is a great way to make friends!
Pre-Departure Preparation
This section contains a great deal of information that will be of use as you prepare to go to Paris. We will
cover the most important parts during pre-departure orientation, and many of the critical points from this
section are also included in some form in the “to do list” section at the beginning of the handbook, but it is a
good idea to read through this section as well.
Flight Booking: Arrival & Departure Dates
Trinity College does not organize a group flight to Paris.
We expect you to arrange your own flight so that you
arrive by 1:00PM on the first day of
the program. This means you will be departing from the
U.S. the day BEFORE you are scheduled to arrive (most
flights leave in the east coast evening, with arrival the next
day in the morning). This arrival time is very important,
as orientation begins that afternoon and you need time to
get to your apartment, briefly explore your neighborhood
and get back to the Trinity space. Y
In booking your return flight, please note: Final exams
cannot be rescheduled to accommodate flight plans!
You are expected to depart on the final day of the
program, and not before, and are responsible for their
own transportation to the airport. There are no finals on
the last day of the program, so it’s fine to leave any time
that day.
ger at the program. We are also not able to store belongings before or after the term. Please contact your arrival
airport for their “left luggage” facilities. There are also
internet cafes near the train station in central Paris that
offer luggage storage. Although students have used them
without any problems, we can’t vouch for any of them in
particular.
Trinity College staff are unable to provide any assistance
or make provision for a student’s care, lodging, meals, or
well-being, should the student arrive early or remain lon-
22
Personal Belongings / Baggage / Shipping Belongings
Check baggage requirements for your airline carefully. If you exceed the size, quantity, or weight limits for bags,
the airline has the right to charge you for the extra bag. Extra bags cost $100 or more per piece EACH WAY. If you are
going to bring belongings in excess of what will fit in the baggage allowed by your airline, however, it is far better to pay
these extra baggage fees than to ship your belongings. This is because large packages shipped in and out of the country
are held up in customs, sometimes for weeks, and in many cases there will be a customs fee that will need to be paid in
order to pick up your packages on the other end. These fees can exceed the value of what you are shipping, if you are
shipping typical clothing and person items. Customs fees on electronics items are also extremely high.
For this reason, we recommend that if you ship personal items, you keep the packages relatively small and DO
NOT declare the value to be more than $10, otherwise you will pay a customs fee commensurate to the total value
declared. It is also therefore not advisable to ship anything very expensive (electronics, designer clothing, etc), because
you will not be able to insure it while claiming that it’s value is less than $10.
Other travel tips concerning baggage:
• Hang on to your baggage claim tickets! Airport officials often check tags to ensure that people are taking their own
bags and they are also essential for tracing lost bags. This usually happens to someone in the group every year, but
most luggage is found by the next day (see above regarding what to pack in your carry-on bag).
• Make sure you take with you all of the medications you might need for the term (vitamins, aspirin etc. included).
Pharmaceutical products shipped via USPS, FedEx, etc (even vitamins) are held up at customs and it takes a long
time to receive them. Also, prescriptions, pro-form invoices, etc. are required and need to be faxed to the authorities to get them out of customs.
Electrical Appliances
Appliances can only be used if they are battery-run or can be converted to run on 220 volts, 50 cycles (almost all laptops now include
a voltage converter, so this requirement usually only affects razors,
hairdryers, etc).
Bring a socket adapter or two. We recommend adapters that have
a variety of plug configurations for various countries (see image at
right), so that you have the adapters that you need when you travel
outside of the country. Be sure any adapters you buy match the
appliance plugs for which you buy them (i.e. 3 prong plug on your
laptop cord).
Since socket and plug sizes vary from country to country, we
recommend that students buy cheap appliances (hair dryers, alarm
clocks, etc.) while abroad.
Don’t bring hair dryers or curling/flat irons! Students have had
problems with them dying due to voltage issues. There may be
some around from previous semesters to share, or you can buy one
with a few friends and share.
23
When Packing Time Comes!
Walking Tour-Wear
Take durable clothes that require minimum care. We advise NOT taking valuable jewelry, heirlooms, or items you
would be heartbroken to lose. Do not overpack! It can be
cold November through February and hot in September
and May. Keep in mind that although Europeans often
look stylish, they tend to have a small number of nice
outfits/separates that they wear frequently, rather than a
large wardrobe.
The walking tours will be the exception to any concerns about looking like an American or a tourist!
You’ll be in a group, with a faculty member, speaking
English, so there’s no point trying to blend in. We
recommend that you bring the following to be comfortable:
•
The following list indicates the total amount of clothing
you should expect to need, including anything that you
buy in Paris. So if you know that the first thing you’re going to do in Paris is go out and buy a dress or some jeans
or trousers, then take that into account and pack less!
‰‰
‰‰
‰‰
‰‰
‰‰
‰‰
‰‰
‰‰
‰‰
•
•
•
1 rainproof spring jacket or rain coat, layerable,
preferably with a hood
1 durable winter coat - it will be worn often, so
dark colors are better!
Running shoes or very comfortable boots
A comfortable pair of jeans or trousers
2-4 pairs of jeans/pants
1 complete “dressy” outfit
1-2 pairs of dress-type shorts (i.e. not just sports
Other Necessities
shorts)
3 sweaters of different weights (cotton, cardigan,
‰‰ 1 large bath towel (the ones provided are small/
thin)
heavy wool)
‰‰ Basic toiletries and medical supplies (a small, inex-
5-7 t-shirts and a couple long-sleeved shirts
pensive first aid kit is recommended)
12-14 pairs of socks
‰‰ Small bag of travel-sized toiletries for weekend
Women - be wary of high heels! While French women are known for fashion, Paris is largely cobble-stone
streets and sidwalks. Most students find boots, flat
shoes, and sneakers to be more useful.
travel, plus earplugs (overnight trains are noisy!)
‰‰ Your own supply of contact lens solution--you may
not find the equivalent of your brand abroad, and
student have had trouble adjusting to European
solutions.
‰‰ Warm PJs for winter. Europeans keep their buildings
much cooler than ours, and in general the buildings
aren’t insulated as well. Bring a microfiber or thin
down blanket as well.
‰‰ A smaller bag like a duffle for shorter trips.
‰‰ 1 cable lock for securing your pack in hostels on
trips, plus small locks for luggage (although don’t
use them for checked baggage on airplanes, as they
will often be cut off by security)
‰‰ Underwear, 2 weeks worth
‰‰ Small travel umbrella
‰‰ France travel guide
‰‰ Everyone should get a small document pouch to
A Note on Bedding
wear inside clothes to put passport and credit cards
in when traveling. There are some designed like
belts and some that have neck straps.
Pillows, sheets and a blanket are provided. Most
students say they’re fine, but some students don’t like
them, so if you prefer your own things, you may want
to bring yours. You can also buy some when you
arrive.
‰‰ Universal electrical adapter, like the one pictured at
right. This will come in handy both in France and
wherever you happen to travel during the term.
24
Passports
Travel Documents
If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after the last day of the program.
• Your passport is the only universally accepted form
of identification. If you lose it, you’ve lost all means
of travel and the means to register with the authorities. Without your passport you cannot leave any
country.
• If you do not yet have a passport, you must apply
immediately. We cannot stress this enough! Processing time for applications can be 4-6 weeks or
longer. If you already have a passport, make sure it
is valid for at least six months after the end of the
program.
• You will not be granted a visa with a passport that will expire sooner than six months following your program end date, so be sure to check the expiration date prior to applying for a visa.
• Passport applications may be obtained at your local United States Post Office. For more information – visit
www.travel.state.gov.
• Leave a photocopy of your passport and your passport number at home and also carry one with you. This
saves a lot of time and hassle if you ever lose your passport.
Visas
Students will be given all information about the french visa process and can also go to the website at
http://www.trincoll.edu/UrbanGlobal/StudyAway/programs/TrinityPrograms/Paris/Accepted%20Students/Pages/Visa.
aspx.
International Students on F-1 Visas
A few of you may be residents from countries other than the United States. You should check with the con-
sulate in your home country on visa requirements. Please do this as soon as possible, so we may provide you
with any additional information you may need to secure your visa (if you need one).
• If you will be outside the U.S. for five (5) months or more, you will need a new I-20 to re-enter the U.S. at
the end of your studies abroad, even if your current I-20 appears to still be valid.
• Be sure that your American visa will still be valid for you to re-enter the U.S. at the end of your semester
abroad.
• Please consult your college official with whom you work on immigration requirements for complete details and answers to other questions.
25
Money: How to Plan
Currency: The Euro is the currency for most members of the European Union, including France. The symbol for the
Euro is €. Check the exchange rates online, since the Euro fluctuates.
Take several forms of money: When arriving in Paris and while traveling in Europe, you should always carry several
forms of money—in case of difficulties with ATMs, credit cards, etc. Have Euros or US dollars as back-ups in case your
credit card fails or there’s no ATM! Generally speaking, plan to convert $200 into Euros before departing from the USA.
You may obtain Euros by contacting your local bank, American Express, or AAA. There are currency exchanges at international airports in the USA, but the rates are not very good. The point is to have enough Euros to get you started. After
you arrive, a local ATM is the most convenient way to get cash.
Credit Cards: It is a good idea to have an international Mastercard or Visa (not American Express) credit card
along—2 credit cards would be even better. A credit card is good for emergency cash and large purchases. Visa and
Mastercard are most widely accepted. Credit cards generally receive the best exchange rate, but incur some additional
fee by the provider. If possible, get a credit card with a computer chip (vs. a magetic strip) that requires a PIN as many
machines will only accept these.
Debit Cards: Cirrus or Plus ATM machines are easy to find all over Europe. Most students advise bringing an ATM
card (or two). You can use them to withdraw money directly from your checking account. Discover and American
Express cards are not widely used in Europe. Notify your bank about your study abroad, and check on transaction fees.
Also check on any overseas fees for withdrawals. Banks vary widely in their fees, so be sure you know what your bank
charges. Also, be sure your know your per day limit on withdrawals. Verify that you have a European PIN code which
has 4 digits (ATMs have no letters).
It is important to have a credit or debit card that has a computer chip it in (versus a magnetic strip). Some machines
(such as the metro card machine) will not accept the cards unless they have this chip. Please ask your bank about this
for international travel.
Precautions: You MUST inform your banks/credit cards that you will be traveling abroad. Otherwise, fraud prevention
will generally result in your account being frozen. Additionally, you should keep a photocopy of the cards, along with
their international 1-800 numbers both in your dorm and leave a copy with your family. You want to be able to act fast if
Banking in Paris
As indicated previously, we recommend that you
carry some cash, as well as an ATM card as means of
money while in Paris We recommend
looking into online banks that charge no ATM fees
and reimburse ATM fees charged by other banks. At
the time of writing this, Charles Schwab offers an account that will reimburse ATM fees in all countries,
and Ally Bank offers checking accounts with no ATM
fees. In any case, notify your bank and credit card
companies that you will be using them internationally so that automated fraud detection systems do not
shut your card down, leaving you stranded!
26
So How Much Money Should I Bring?
Most students report spending between $4,000 and $6,000 during the semester. A few students report spending more or
less, depending on how much they travel and shop. This is obviously a very popular question and the answer varies according to what kind of person you are. The amount of spending money to take with you will depend on your individual
tastes and spending habits. The information below will help you gage how much you will need to have available. Additionally, the currency exchange rate will impact your final budget. If the Euro is very expensive to buy with US dollars,
then you will have to factor in additional funds, perhaps as much as $500.
Summary of Expenses
• Plan $4,000 – 5,000 for average spenders for a semester. This does not include rail passes or plane tickets. If you plan to
travel often, or spend a great deal, then the amount may be more like $5,500 - $7,000.
• You will need an extra $200 cash for books (or slightly more)
The totals above include consideration for:
• About $500 for a weeklong vacation (in addition to air or train fare).
• Plan on approx $200-300 per weekend of travel outside of Paris, not including travel expenses. London can be double
this amount, whereas Prague and Budapest are cheaper. Hostels are cheaper than hotel rooms. A decent hotel double
room could range from 75 euro to 100 euro per night. (We are not talking about 3 or 4 star hotels!) A good fixed price
meal can still be had for 15 euro to 20 euro.
• Additional funds should be budgeted for any extensive travel outside France. Some students buy a lot of souvenirs and
clothes, others don’t.
27
Medical Issues
Health Insurance:
Medical Emergencies
All students will receive
HTH Worldwide Insurance
for their semester (or year)
on the Trinity in Paris program. This is included in the
program for no additional
charge.
In case of accident or illness requiring immediate
medical treatment, inform the Director or the resident administrator/ faculty member. If you must get
yourself to the emergency room, go to:
The American hospital
63, Bd Victor Hugo
92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine – France
Phone from within France: (0)1 46 41 25 25
Although you may have health insurance through
your family (which you must maintain), it is essential for you to have study abroad health insurance
that works overseas and includes services not offered
through most regular insurance policies, such as
emergency medical evacuation, family reunion insurance, repatriation, and safety/political evacuation.
Many of the doctors there have received training in
the United States. This hospital provides students
with all the basic medical services that a typical U.S.
hospital offers with the exception of psychological
services. Students should be aware that Trinity College Paris Campus does not employ a psychologist
and that English speaking therapists are difficult to
find in Paris.
HTH has many important services, such as information on the availability, doses, and names of medications overseas, access to provider information
in countries worldwide and 24/7 emergency help.
Through the HTH website, http://www.hthstudents.
com/ , you may book doctor’s appointments, search
for local clinics and health care, and even receive
comprehensive travel advice.
Doctors’ fees can be as much as they are in the U.S. if
not more. On the other hand, medication and hospitalization are considerably less. Normally, you will
be expected to pay for any medical services when
rendered. However, there are some services and providers that work directly with HTH that will waive
payment for students. Our staff take students to these
providers whenever possible.
You will be enrolled online by our office before you
depart.During this process, you will receive an email
directly from HTH Worldwide Insurance. In order to
complete your enrollment, you will need to create a
username and password at that time.
Be sure to pay all medical bills before leaving Paris.
Generally, one pays medical costs in cash, then submit the claim forms to the insurance company for
reimbursement.
Your enrollment period will begin one week before
the program and end one week after the program.
Once you have enrolled fully, you may pay HTH
directly on-line to extend coverage if you plan on
travelling extensively after the program. HTH insurance covers students all over the world (not just
France) and only excludes students while they are in
their country of citizenship.
Minor Ailments?
A First Aid box containing bandages and basic
medication is available in the office building and
both residential sites. See a staff member for assistance.
28
General Medical Recommendations
contact lens solution. You may not find the kind that you
use abroad. If you have a health condition that could be
serious (such as diabetes, an allergy to penicillin, etc.),
wear a Medic Alert bracelet.
It is advisable to have routine medical and dental examinations before you go to make sure you are in good
health. It is also important to check that your vaccinations
for measles, meningitis, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus are current.
HIV/AIDS remains a serious health threat to millions
of people worldwide. Advances in treatments in the U.S.
have led to a complacency and reckless behavior among
many college-aged Americans. ALL travelers should
protect themselves when engaging in sexual activity. Latex
condoms (used with a water-based lubricant) are the most
effective form of protection should you choose to be sexually active. WOMEN are at greatest risk, but safe-sex precautions must apply to everyone studying away, regardless
of gender or sexual orientation. AIDS (and other STDs)
do not discriminate.
Be aware that the manner in which medical help is
obtained, the way patients are treated, the conditions of
overseas medical facilities, and how health care is afforded often present marked differences from U.S. practices.
U.S. health care values, assumptions, and methods are not
universally practiced. Indeed, even the notions regarding
the onset of illness or points at which expert attention is
required are to some degree cultural phenomena.
Probably the most common ailment for all international travelers is diarrhea caused by contaminated food or
drink. It is important to exercise caution with the food
and water that you consume. It is generally safe to consume tap water, but that standard will vary when you
travel outside the country.
If you have a physical or mental health condition that
requires ongoing treatment by a doctor, you should
consult with your physician or mental health professional about the prospect of studying abroad.
Trinity College does not employ mental health professionals at any of our programs, nor is mental health treatment widely accessible or comparable to mental health
treatment in the U.S. In our admission process, we do
not discriminate against individuals who have had any
type of mental health condition. However, for your own
welfare, we ask that if you have had any mental health
condition, you consult with a mental health professional before going abroad to discuss the potential stress of
study abroad, and to provide us with specific information
concerning your psychological health (i.e., if you ever
experience anxiety, depression, etc.), and to be aware that
English-speaking counselors are not readily available to
program participants.
Medical Advice In Summary
Recurring or chronic health conditions: If you have
any long-term medical problems about which the college staff should be made aware, bring a legible doctor’s
record with you. Also, if you are allergic to certain
medications, let them know.
Medications: If you take prescription medications,
bring what you will need while you are away from
home. Be sure to have the medication in its original
container. Bring a legible (preferably typed) letter
explaining what your medicine is for. This is especially
important if you are bringing syringes with you.
If you are on medication, discuss with your physician
the type of care you may need while abroad and the best
way to continue your regimen. You must also determine
if your medication is legal to bring into your destination
country and if you will be able to obtain additional medication. Notify the OSA if you have any chronic conditions that require special care.
Women’s health concerns are much more difficult to
address in a foreign country, most notably in the area of
pregnancy (testing, morning after pills, etc.).
Contact lenses, eyeglasses: If you wear contacts, bring
plenty of cleaning solution. The solutions sold in Europe are not always the same and are very expensive.
When traveling, bring your own basic drugstore supplies, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, motion sickness
medication, laxatives, antacids, antihistamines, decongestants, antiseptics, and band-aids. Make sure all
medications are in their labeled bottles, and carry a copy
of the written prescription with the generic names. Do
the same with glasses and contact lenses. Bring an extra
pair of glasses and/or contact lenses; also be sure to bring
Bring a small first aid kit with medications for headache, motion sickness, cold/cough, first aid crème and
band-aids.
Please note that Tylenol may NOT be available everywhere. Please be sure to bring some, if you desire.
29
Trinity College/HTH medical services abroad
HTH contact information: 610-254-8771 or [email protected]
Student needs medical care
Emergency
Non-Emergency
EEmemergency
Go
to …
Go to …
In-network
facility
Out of network
facility
Call HTH
immediately at
610-254-8771
to arrange for
payment
Student pays up
front and then
submits claim
form. HTH
should still be
contacted and
advised of
situation.
If not enough
time to arrange
HTH billing,
student pays and
then submits
claim
In-network
facility
Email,
Mpassport App,
or call HTH 48
hours in
advance to
arrange for
payment
Out of network
facility
Student pays up
front and then
submits claim
form
If not enough
time to arrange
HTH billing,
student pays and
then submits
claim
NOTE:
Trinity College staff in Hartford should be contacted as soon as possible for any medical
situation
If the medical condition is serious, HTH should also be contacted right away and consulted for
advice
02/18/2015
30
Regulations Regarding Behavior
All students studying away are expected to know and abide by all college and program regulations, including the prohibition regarding the unacceptable behaviors described below.
Code of Conduct
The rules regarding proper behavior abroad are defined
by your home campus (if you are a
visiting student) AND Trinity College
(for all students), as well as the laws of
your host country. You will be responsible for observing the rules contained
in the Trinity College Student Handbook (http://www.trincoll.edu/sitecollectiondocuments/studenthandbook.
pdf), as well as rules and regulations in
this handbook and received from your on−site staff. You
are also responsible for abiding by the laws of your host
country. Non−Trinity students are responsible for complying with their home institutions’ rules and regulations.
Key Trinity regulations include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• Students are responsible for the condition of their
•
• Students agree to conduct themselves in a manner that
•
•
•
is respectful, courteous and that shows consideration
for the privacy, well being, and comfort of others in the
Program. This respect and courtesy must be extended
to staff, other students, and any constituencies with
which the student interacts. It must be exhibited in
classroom settings, on excursions, and in areas where
students are housed. Rude or disrespectful behavior,
whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated and
will be cause for removal.
Illegal drug, purchase, possession, use or distribution
while participating in a Trinity−administered Program
is strictly forbidden. Infractions of this regulation
make one liable for immediate expulsion from the
Program.
Irresponsible use of alcohol and drunken behavior
while participating in a Trinity−administered Program
is strictly forbidden. The consumption of alcohol may
not be used as a defense for misconduct. Infractions
of this regulation make one liable for immediate
expulsion from the Program.
Trinity expects each student studying away to abide
by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all
academic exercises. Students must do their own work
and must credit properly those upon whose work and
thought they draw in every examination, quiz, paper,
laboratory report, or other academic exercise.
rooms and their furnishings during periods of occupancy. Damage and⁄or loss of Program property are
the financial responsibility of the resident⁄Program
participant. Damage to or loss of Program property,
including cell phones, as well as damage to the furniture, walls, or any part of one’s room (whether home
stay, rented apartment, dormitory room, or Program−owned⁄−leased space) will be assigned a repair
or replacement cost and charged to the responsible
student’s Trinity College bill.
No guests are permitted to sleep or spend the night in
Program housing or home stays, use Program−administered facilities, transportation, or accommodations,
or participate in Program−sponsored excursions,
lectures, field trips, or classes without prior approval
from the on−site director⁄coordinator.
You have signed documents
agreeing to these rules and
regulations as part of your
acceptance to the program,
and/or as part of enrollment
at Trinity College. Participation in a Trinity-administered
program is acknowledgement
of your agreement to abide by
the regulations set forth in this
handbook and the documents
listed above.
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Stay Safe!
Keep the safety of yourself and
those around you in mind at
all times while abroad. Do
not engage in any behavior
(such as excessive drinking)
that will impair your ability to
keep the safety of yourself and
your friends and classmates in
mind.
Be a Good Ambassador
As an American college student
in Paris, what you do will have
an impact on how Parisians
think of students from America
in general. Be respectful and
kind. It will help you make
friends and make a good impression on behalf of all Americans.
Violating Rules: Consequences
Violations of any Trinity/International program policies, rules, and protocols will result in
one or more of the following disciplinary actions, at the discretion of the on-site Director.
Note that consequences may not come in this order (major offenses will result in immediate expulsion):
•
•
•
•
•
Verbal warning
Written warning
Probation
Expulsion from housing
Expulsion from the program
Although it is Trinity’s goal to help all students participating in its own programs
to complete their programs successfully, there may be times when expulsion from
the program is necessary. This will be the case when students are determined to be unsafe to themselves
and to others, when students’ behaviors disrupt program goals, when relationships with the local community and program providers are compromised, and/or when laws are broken. Students who are expelled
from Trinity-administered programs forfeit academic credit and are not eligible for refund of fees
paid. They will also be responsible for any unpaid fees and program expenses incurred to date and
may be subject to censure in accordance with Trinity College policies.
Trinity College reserves the right to contact parents/guardians in the event of significant alcohol abuse,
unsafe behavior, or any behavior that potentially compromises a student’s ability to participate in our
program.
In the event that you are asked to leave the program, return to your home country will be at your own
expense. Any and all responsibility on the part of the program will cease. Students who are expelled, or who
depart early from the program, will be withdrawn from all courses and receive no credit. All outstanding financial
obligations to the will program remain in full effect.
32
Safety & Security
General Information & Recommendations
The administrative and teaching staffs of Trinity College’s
Program of study in Paris are
mindful toward students on
the Paris program, keep themselves well informed about all
developments, are accessible
to students, and provide clear,
sound advice and orientation.
As a participant on the
program, you are required to
comply with all instructions
issued by on-site staff in the
event of an emergency. Such
compliance is not optional.
All Trinity programs have
emergency evacuation procedures and other policies that
attempt to keep you safe when
abroad. Your on-site director/
coordinator will inform you of
these procedures upon arrival.
Paris, like most metropolitan
cities, has safe areas and areas
that are not safe. Unfortunately, even areas that may
be considered safe, may pose
dangers for particular populations. As a student from an
American college, you may
be targeted by criminals who
will seek to victimize you.
Although this can happen
anywhere in Paris, the risk of
being targeted increases in
certain locations that are typically frequented by American
students and tourists, such as
the area known as Les Halles,
and particularly the Café
Oz. For example, American
college students in Les Halles
have been mugged, pickpocketed or raped. So the danger
is real.
We encourage you to frequent places such as cafes,
restaurants and the like that cater to locals. We further
remind you that, if you choose to drink alcohol, drink in
moderation and make it a cultural experience (i.e., learning
the names and the qualities of different foods and wines,
etc.). The program staff will be happy to recommend local
restaurants for meals, events to attend in the evenings, and
other entertainment options.
You are particularly warned about the dangers associated
with the establishments located in the Les Halles neighborhood or the Champs Elysées late at night, especially after
any sports matches. We further recommend that you not
frequent areas late at night towards the outskirts of Paris in
the 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements, as we showed you
on your first day of orientation.
Night Clubs in Paris tend to come alive after 11pm and
encourage their customers to stay all night. We recommend
that you leave early. These establishments may permit
patrons to be served alcohol beyond the state of intoxication,
thereby placing them in danger. However, they also might
throw you out of the club without warning if they believe
that you are overly intoxicated or demonstrating disruptive
behavior.
In addition, we have received reports of American college
students and other tourists being drugged and assaulted
when leaving any of Paris’ night clubs. For those reasons,
we consider all night clubs and the Les Halles and Champs
Elysées districts at night to be dangerous areas. We therefore
warn you to avoid the bars/pubs in that area, as well as any
others where you notice excessive drinking taking place.
Should you decide to go to bars/pubs/clubs or to any of
the above-mentioned areas at night, there are things you
should do to minimize the chances of being victimized.
First, go out in SMALL groups and watch out for one
another. If drinking at a bar/pub, watch your drink very
carefully at all times to make sure that no one has an opportunity to put anything in it. Never let go of your drink.
As noted, both male and female students have reported
being drugged without their knowledge. Women are advised to always have friends accompany them when using
the facilities, in order to deter sexual assault. Never accept
rides from unknown people and always walk about town
in small groups, if at all possible. Never leave a bar or night
club with someone you don’t know or just met.
Most importantly, at all times, look out for each other, and
avoid leaving your friends alone, particularly at night, and
especially if the person is intoxicated. Also, do not stay out
at night when your friends have all decided to head back
home. Your best form of safety while abroad is to help each
other make good decisions.
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Since some countries and
areas may be experiencing
political and social instability, it is important to use
good judgment while abroad
to avoid situations that may
put you in danger. If you
see a demonstration, for
example, walk the other way;
you have no way of knowing
whether the gathering is
legal or whether it will remain peaceful or erupt into
violence. Listen carefully to
all advice about health and
safety issues given to you by
your on-site staff. Do not
engage in behavior that you
would consider dangerous
or foolhardy at home.
As a visitor in a foreign
country, you are subject to
the laws of that country. You
should conduct yourself in
a manner that will comply
with the regulations of the
host university and of the
program as administered by
Trinity College. Please be
aware that customs regarding alcohol and drug use are
different in other countries;
laws controlling drugs and
alcohol may be more strict
than those in the U.S., and
penalties can be severe. The
Office of Study Away and
the on-site director/coordinator have the authority to
discontinue your participation on the program if your
conduct is determined to be
unacceptable.
Lastly, be aware that
pick-pockets are a problem
in many European cities,
including Paris. Students
should keep phones and
wallets in front pockets or
interior coat pockets, and
women should watch purses
at all times (or use secure
pockets instead of carrying
a purse).
When in Public
• Be aware of your surroundings and your
belongings at all times.
• If you feel nervous or are lost, walk purposefully into a café or shop, and check your map
there rather than on the street.
• Walk confidently and as if you know where
you are.
• Try to fit in and to dress like the locals (do
not wear super bright colors, sneakers, and
T-shirts with the names of American cities or
universities).
• Avoid eye contact with strangers.
• Travel with a companion at night and stay in
populated, well-lit areas.
• Avoid arguments and confrontations, and
avoid demonstrations, especially in politically volatile countries.
• Act conservatively and keep a low profile.
• Ask locals you trust where you should go
and not go for general safety and travel tips.
Do Research Before Traveling
• Check the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories.
Call (202)647-5225 or go to www.travel.state.gov
• Talk to study abroad alumni and your program
faculty sponsor(s).
• Read newspapers, magazines, and travel books
(Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Frommers’ guides
and Let’s Go).
• Research general travel and safety information on
the Internet.
While Traveling
• Be careful when driving or riding in vehicles.
• When traveling, be especially cautious in a
large crowd.
• Use only sturdy luggage that locks. Do not
carry expensive luggage. Make sure that your
luggage is easy to identify.
• Never leave your bags unattended.
• On buses and trains, put your arm through
the strap on your bags. If you decide to sleep
on public transportation, make sure your bag
is secure.
Money and Valuables
• Wear a money belt when traveling and never
carry all of your money in one place. Carry as
little cash as possible.
• Men – If you carry a wallet, carry it in your
front pocket.
• Women – Carry your purse slung over the
shoulder and under the opposite arm. Do not
carry anything you could not stand to lose.
• Never count your money in public.
Hotels & Hostels
• If staying in a youth hostel, try to carry your
valuables with you if there is not a safe. Lock
your suitcase and, if possible, strap it to your
bed when you go out. You may want to sleep
with your valuables under your pillow.
• Do not leave your valuables in your hotel room.
Use a safe or safety deposit box or consider
storing some items in a locker at a train station
or airport.
Please be aware that customs regarding alcohol and drug use are different in other countries; laws controlling drugs and alcohol may
be more strict than those in the U.S., and penalties can be severe. Follow all advice in this
handbook and that you receive at orientation
your first day in your study away country.
34
Special Considerations for Women
Try not to take offense at whistles and other gestures of appreciation, regardless of whether they are
compliments, invitations, or insults. Realize that, in
many countries, these gestures are as much as part of
the culture as is the food, history and language.
While figures show that women going on study
abroad programs outnumber men 2 to 1, there is
still the necessity to discuss some special considerations for women when traveling abroad. It is widely
recognized in our society that women are capable,
independent, and that it is our right to do anything
and go anywhere. However, this American attitude
toward women is not necessarily found or accepted in other countries. Around the world attitudes
toward women vary tremendously, and awareness of
this is an important aspect in preparation for entering a new culture.
But if a situation is dangerous—if you are made to
feel uncomfortable—then act as if it is. Be extra
careful when giving your trust. This applies generally, but is especially important when traveling
alone. Avoid being out alone at night in unfamiliar
territory—on the street, in parks, on trams, on trains.
If, for example, at night you suddenly find yourself
alone in a train car, move to another one where other
people are sitting. Be alert and do not go out alone
after dark. Discuss any situations which make you
feel uncomfortable with the on-site director, or other
staff member.
Women and men who travel alone are given different insight and gain different perspectives than they
might if traveling in a group. More can perhaps be
learned, seen, experienced, and gained by traveling
alone. Nevertheless, women should be aware of the
position they may be in upon traveling alone, or
traveling with other women. A good suggestion is to
speak with women who have experienced traveling
and living abroad, or to read about the position of
women in different countries.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender
Issues Abroad
Customs, attitudes, laws, and social practices relating
to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people vary
throughout the world. Some countries are more progressive than the United States in their perspectives on GLBT
issues. Many other countries are far more conservative
and restrictive in their policies and practices. GLBT students will want to inform themselves about relevant issues
in their host countries and all their travel destinations.
A woman traveling on her own may encounter more
difficulties than a man by himself. Some of the best
ways to avoid hassle are to fit in and try to understand the roles of the sexes in the culture in which
you are traveling. Flexibility means observing how
the host country’s women dress and behave, and following their example. What may be appropriate or
friendly behavior in the US may bring you unwanted, even dangerous, attention in another culture. You
should try to always make your intentions clear and
pay your own way. Mention your “husband” or “boyfriend,” whether you have one or not. Be alert and do
not go out alone after dark. Learn the customs of the
country you are visiting. In some cultures, the position of women in society differs drastically from the
situation in the United States. Be aware of this and
keep in mind as you encounter situations that may
seem unfair or discriminatory.
Most travel guides (especially those geared towards students) will have a section on GLBT issues. Use these and
other books to become informed. The Internet is a great
source of information. The following are some good sites
to start with:
ILGA: The International Lesbian and Gay Association
• Very comprehensive, worldwide, GLBT resources at
www.ilga.org.
IGLHRC: International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights
Commission
• Worldwide resources and references for GLBT issues,
great content and links at www.iglhrc.org.
35
Personal Property and Liability Insurance
Protecting your personal possessions while you are
away from your home country is something you
should carefully consider, especially if you will be
taking a laptop, digital camera, or other expensive
equipment.
Disabled Students Abroad
Resources and facilities for access for students with
disabilities may not be the same abroad as they are
in the United States. Students with concerns related
to disabilities should meet with the Office of Study
Away staff prior to planning for study abroad. Students should also consult with Mobility International
USA (MIUSA). Call (541)343-1284 or visit their site
at www.miusa.org.
Trinity College is not responsible for the loss of or
damage to personal property. Check to see if you
might be eligible for personal property and liability
coverage through your parent’s homeowner policy.
If you are not, there are several companies that offer
personal property and liability policies that cover
students studying abroad. You may also purchase
additional property insurance through the ISIC card.
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