How do we get passports and visas?
Many students already have a passport, but they should make sure that it will not expire prior to their return date. Students who need new or renewal passports should apply at their local post office and allow six to eight weeks to get them. The post office has the list of documents and fees needed.
Visas are permits to spend more than three months in a country, and are specific to each country. Students participating in the China Summer program will be required to apply for a tourist visa. CIEE will direct you to the web site of the visa agency that will be facilitating this process, but we cannot obtain the visa for you. We will provide you with any documentation necessary for your to apply for the visa, but you are responsible for completing the visa application. You will have to turn your passport in to the visa agency, and you will not be able to travel until the passport is returned to you with the visa inside. The rules for what you need to obtain the visa change frequently, and it will be up to you to keep current on what is needed, obtain other documents required and get these to the agency yourself.
How often should we expect to hear from CIEE?
Before a student departs, there is regular communication for the 3 months preceding his/her departure. Close to the departure date, the communication is very frequent. If a student applies up to a year before departure, an interim invoice will be generated, and some communication will happen, but there may be some lapses of time before regular communication is again established. You will meet the Outbound Team by phone or email, and you are always free to call or email any of us with any questions. We hope that this web site will answer most of your concerns, and we will continually update it with new information.
Is there any financial aid for summer programs?
CIEE does not offer scholarships for high school summer programs, however we encourage students to look elsewhere for scholarship money. Please feel free to contact the Outbound Team if you have questions or need assistance.
When will we find out the host family information?
Students traveling to China for the summer will stay with a host family for the duration of the program. The exact date of this placement is impossible to predict, because so many factors go into making a good placement. If you have been accepted into the program, you will have a host family placement in time to obtain a visa and travel. That is a firm commitment from CIEE and its overseas partners.
How can I change the date of my return flights?
Every program has an end date, and the tickets will be purchased for that date. Our fare class is for students, so the availability of seats is limited on each date. Ticket dates are changeable for a fee, but this must be done well in advance of travel. Students must return on the same airline, with the same itinerary as originally booked. All changes are the responsibility of the student and his/her family directly with the airline.
How will my son/daughter get money while abroad?
Most families open a checking account with their child and obtain a Visa debit card and ATM card for the student to use abroad. That will allow them to access money any time of day or night, any day of the week. Students are covered by iNext travel insurance, but if they have a medical need, they will often have to pay and then send their receipts to parents to be reimbursed. Medical costs abroad are a fraction of those in the U.S., so this should not be a major expense, and it is reimbursable in most cases. Check with the insurance company prior to confirm at the time of any doctor's visits.
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