Costs

The program price of $3,395 includes instructional fees and materials, double-occupancy lodging at the Zhongguanyuan Global Village Hotel, field trips, a package of guided tours to local attractions, and a farewell banquet. Hotel accommodations are based on double occupancy.  A single room may be arranged for an additional $650 supplement on a space-available basis.  A limited number of adult companions may accompany students for $1,895, which includes lodging and tours package.  Anyone interested in either obtaining a single room or bringing a companion should contact the program administrator in advance to determine space availability.

 Most meals are not included in the fee, but are available at numerous on-campus café facilities and easily accessible, excellent neighborhood restaurants. Breakfast is included at the hotel restaurant each morning.  You should plan on an average of approximately $20 per day for meals.

 Air travel is not included. Arrangements for travel to and from Beijing are the student’s responsibility.  We recommend that you consult a trustworthy travel agent or major airlines directly and request the lowest available fares from any reputable carrier.  Airfare prices can vary widely, depending on choice of airlines, point of departure, routing, itinerary, and timing of purchase.  Early reservations are highly recommended due to the ongoing increases in jet fuel costs and subsequently higher passenger fares.  Departure from the USA should be scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2013 (or earlier), in order to arrive in Beijing by mid-afternoon on Sunday, May 19, 2013.   Return from Beijing to the USA for students not staying on for an externship should be scheduled for Sunday, June 9, 2013.

 Costs of passports, visas, laundry, insurance, telephone calls, excess baggage charges, optional excursions and other expenses of a purely personal nature are not included.

Travel Documentation

Passports are required for all overseas travel.  In addition, China requires an entry visa.  Each participant is responsible for obtaining a current passport and visa.  Passport information, downloadable forms and directions are available on the US Department of State’s website:  http://travel.state.gov/passport   Visa information can be obtained from the Embassy and Consulates General of the People’s Republic of China in the United States.  Their website is:  http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/   Program participants should apply for a Tourist / Family Type “L” visa, NOT a student visa.

 All program participants must provide a legible copy of both their passport and their visa to the UMKC program administrator no later than April 30, 2013. Faxed copies are NOT acceptable.

 Each participant is responsible for his or her own compliance with customs regulations.  Information is available on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s website:  http://www.cbp.gov/

 Financial Aid

Students seeking financial aid loans must apply to their own school’s financial aid office.  Visiting students should contact their home institution’s financial aid coordinator.  Be sure to contact your home school’s financial aid office well in advance to determine eligibility and funds availability.  Allow a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for loan processing.  UMKC will supply supporting documents and Consortium Agreements for visiting students upon request.  Consortium Agreements should be faxed to the UMKC Financial Aid Office, attention Linda Lawrence, at (816) 235-5511.

Current UMKC students should direct questions regarding financial aid to Linda Lawrence, Coordinator of the UMKC Student Financial Aid Office, via email to LawrenceL@umkc.edu or telephone (816) 235-1236.

  Scholarships

 Information regarding scholarships and travel awards for current UMKC students may be obtained on the UMKC International Academic Programs (IAP) website at http:www.umkc.edu/international/ or telephone (816) 235-5759 for further updates. Additional scholarship information is available on the UMKC Student Financial Aid and Scholarships website at http://www.sfa.umkc.edu  Visiting students should check with their home school’s financial aid office to obtain scholarship and/or grant opportunities information that may be available to them.

Liability and Insurance

By registering, you agree that the University of Missouri-Kansas City shall not be liable for any personal injury, illness, property damage or loss you or persons traveling with you incur in connection with any accommodations, meals, transportation or other services resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrences or conditions including but not limited to: defects in vehicles, equipment breakdown, strikes, thefts, delays or changes in itinerary or schedules that are beyond UMKC’s control.  Each participant will be required to submit a signed “Assumption of Risk and Release Form” with their registration form.

 The University requires all program participants to provide specific proof of insurance for emergency medical evacuation and expatriation of remains.  Most standard medical insurance plans do not include these two required benefits, and many do not provide medical coverage overseas; therefore enrollment in a group policy is required for all program registrants through HTH Worldwide.  Enrollments may be completed on-line at:  www.hthstudents.com.  The access code you’ll need to enroll in the UMKC policy is BJA-2348.  This plan also includes overseas medical coverage.  After on-line enrollment in the HTH plan, you must forward the emailed confirmation / acknowledgement from HTH to Nancy Kunkel (kunkeln@umkc.edu) no later than April 30, 2013.  Any non-HTH plans must be submitted to the program administrator for review prior to April 1, 2013.  A copy of the outline of coverage plus proof of insurance must be included for review; coverage must meet or exceed the HTH benefits.  If the current coverage does not meet the eligibility requirements, the program participant must enroll in the HTH plan.

You are advised to obtain insurance against accidents and loss of baggage.  You may also wish to consider trip cancellation insurance.

 Persons with disabilities should discuss any concerns with the UMKC Director or Program Coordinator.  Public access accommodation in China is not equivalent to U.S. standards.

Student Budget Estimate

 *Passport & Visa: passport application fee is $110 plus first-time applicants execution fee $25, visa application fee is $140, visa agents fee plus shipping averages $95.

**Insurance - emergency medical evacuation and expatriation of remains coverage is required by the University for all program registrants for the duration of their stay.  Program participants (both students and companions) must provide proof of required insurance to the Program Administrator no later than April 30, 2013.  Students with externships must enroll in two months of the mandatory HTH coverage.  See the HTH insurance information above for additional details.

***Personal/Leisure: costs may vary considerably more or less, depending upon the individual’s habits.

****Travel costs may also vary substantially, depending on choice of airlines, point of departure, routing, and itinerary, as well as timing of purchase.  Some may find airfare at significantly higher or lower rates - up to $500 or more - than the estimate.  Early reservations are highly recommended due to the ongoing increases in jet fuel costs and subsequently higher passenger fares.

Cancellation Policy

UMKC reserves the right to cancel for insufficient enrollment or under extraordinary circumstances such as natural disaster, war, political instability or emergency.  In such an event, you will receive a full refund, including the deposit, within twenty (20) days after the cancellation.  If requested, the program director will use best efforts to arrange for the students to enroll in a similar program.