Spring 2011 American Language & Culture Group Program

Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT)

Program Features

·  Twenty (20) hours of classes per week in speaking, listening, grammar, reading, and writing

·  1 weekend trip to a major Southern city (such as Atlanta, Nashville, or New Orleans)

·  1 day trip to a major Southern city (such as Memphis, Jackson, or Birmingham) for shopping and entertainment

·  Conversation Connections Club

·  American Conversation Partners

·  Weekly cultural activities

Total Cost

The program cost includes tuition; housing; textbooks; fitness center fees; health center fees (required X-rays and immunizations); student health insurance; a weekend trip; a day trip; and group airport transportation*. Travel to and from the United States, food, and personal expenses (including some optional cultural and sporting events) are not included in the program cost, although a meal plan to cover all food expenses may be purchased at an additional cost.

*Group transportation to and from the airport is included in the program cost. Airport options are Birmingham International Airport (BHM) in Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Memphis, Tennessee; Jackson International Airport (JAN) in Jackson, Mississippi; and Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) in Columbus, Mississippi. Please note that the group must arrive and depart together.

**We recommend that students arrive on or before Saturday, January 29, 2011, for orientation and testing.

Included in the Program:

Classes & Culture Activities

·  Student orientation and placement exam

·  8 language levels

·  Twenty (20) hours of class instruction per week, integrating all the basic skills

·  All required textbooks

·  Certificate and letter of program participation for each student

·  Welcome and farewell receptions

·  Weekly conversation club

·  American Conversation Partners

·  Student computer lab with updated computers featuring Asian fonts

·  ESL Center sponsored weekly cultural events

·  Sanderson Recreational Center (basketball, volleyball, and racquet ball courts, indoor swimming pool and track, table tennis, weight rooms, etc.)

·  Use of on-campus dining facilities, libraries, and computer labs

·  Mississippi State University sporting and cultural events (some optional and paid by the student)

·  City of Starkville and State of Mississippi civic cultural events (if applicable)

Housing

·  Conveniently located near the Office of International Education and the ESL Center

·  Students are assigned two or three to a room

·  All bed and bath linens, pillows, and blankets are provided

·  Separate bathrooms/showers for each gender

·  Community kitchen

Student Health Center

·  MSU Student Health Center (outpatient medical services for program participants from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on instructional days)

·  Chest X-ray, required immunizations, and student health insurance included in program cost

Weekend Trip & Day Trip

·  Transportation included

·  Hotel (typically four students to one room) included for the weekend trip

·  Admission fees to 2-3 attractions included for the weekend trip

·  Shopping and cultural activities during the weekend and day trips