VART1746 Let’s Look at Museums Study Tour 2011
FAQs
What are the proposed Study Tour dates for 2011?
The study tour is scheduled to commence on Wednesday 29 June 2011 and finish in Nice on Thursday 14 July 2011. You are expected to arrive in Paris by Tuesday 28 June to settle-in and acclimatise yourself after the long journey and time difference.
Where do we stay and how do we pay for the accommodation?
It is anticipated, depending on availability that all participants will be staying at the Adagio Aparthotel in Montmartre and the 2 star - Felix Hotel in Nice. The accommodation will be booked and paid in advance once you enrol through RMIT. This will be done through the ‘Material Fee’ component of the study tour course. Accommodation in Paris & Nice is very expensive during the high season (June/July). So, in an attempt to keep the costs to a reasonable amount, the accommodation will be on twin-share arrangements with the option of single occupancy at a supplement cost.
Will I pay additional fees for this course and what about my HECS debt?
All fees and charges for the course, including HECS liability, remain payable to RMIT just as if you studied the course at RMIT Melbourne Campus. There will be a ‘Material Fee’ levy with this course to pay for accommodation in advance by the School. In addition to this levy, you will have to pay for your own transportation around Paris & Nice, museums admission costs and living expenses, airfares and travel insurance.
How will this additional course contribute to my degree?
The study tour course is a 12–credit point student elective which will contribute to your Undergraduate degree as an external elective.
Is there any study I need to undertake prior to leaving for Paris?
As all students are drawn from across universities, the course is designed to be generalist in nature and interesting to all, irrespective of their background. As such, no prior knowledge is assumed. A component of the course includes three evening workshops for local students during semester one. Any Interstate students will be able to go online and use the Distribution Learning System (DLS) -Blackboard to familiarise with the course study material and acquire the necessary information and participate in the pre-departure activities.
How many students are there in each year’s Study Tour?
This course is designed specifically for RMIT & to other university students. The maximum number of participants per Study Tour is 25 with a minimum of 15. The School is obliged to have sufficient enrolments to justify conducting the study tour. Any fewer enrolments by the end of the census date of semester one may result in the cancellation of the tour.
How can I apply?
Go online onto the RMIT Course Enrolment website and to enrol in the student elective VART1746 Let’s look at Museums. Also complete the Application and Release forms available from the School of Media & Communication Study Tour website. All forms must be submitted by Friday 1 April 2011.
What happens if I want to withdraw from the course?
You must withdraw prior to the census date of Semester One 2011 and notify Alex Syndikas – Study Tour organiser in writing without delay. If you withdraw from the course after 1 May 2011 you will be accountable for the costs paid in advance by the School for your accommodation.
How much should I budget for expenses overseas?
Apart from the course fees, there will be an additional charge known as ‘Material fee’ or ‘Ground Cost’. AUD$1,950. This fee will cover the accommodation and tour organisational fee.
You will have to budget for general tour expenses –Metro and country train transportation in and around Paris, museum admission costs approx. AUD$250. There will also be the added cost of the TGV train journey to Nice approx. AUD$90.
Daily meals expenses can vary depending where and how you dine. The apartment in Paris has a kitchenette and dining table so many of the meals can be prepared in your apartment. In Nice however, you will be staying in a hotel, which only includes accommodation. The cost of food is similar to here. You will also have to budget for your airfares and travel insurance.
Where will the study tour be based?
The study tour will be based in Paris at the Adagio Aparthotel in Montmartre and Felix Hotel in Nice.
How do we meet in Paris?
You will need to make your own travel arrangements to arrive in Montmartre, Paris. Once you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport you can take the RER train to Gare de Nord with a Metro connection to Anvers –
(2 stops from Gare du Nord). The RER train ticket with the Metro connection is around AUD$15
Alternatively, and less stressful mean is taking the Shared Transfer Shuttle Service. The mini van will take you ‘door to door’ from CDG airport to your hotel for approximate cost AUD$36. See website for details <
Please note: A taxi from CDG airport to Paris is around 70 Euro (approximately AUD$100.00).
Participants are required to meet RMIT staff in the nominated hotel (Adagio Aparthotel – Montmartre) on Tuesday 28 June 2011. If your flight arrives prior to this date we can suggest alternative hotel/hostel arrangements.
Do I require travel insurance?
Comprehensive Travel insurance is essential for all participants on the study tour. No participants will be accepted on the study tour without travel insurance.
Students are advised to discuss their individual travel insurance needs with their travel agent at the time of booking flights.
Where do we stay?
To foster a collegial atmosphere, students are required to stay at the RMIT nominated accommodation – Adagio Aparthotel, Montmartre. This is on a twin-share self contained apartments in the heart of Montmartre. Each apartment is equipped with a kitchenette so students can cook their meals in the apartment. In Nice, we will be staying at the Felix Hotel.
Are these expenses tax deductible?
Whilst we strongly advise to consult with your financial advisor it is our understanding that for Australian residents undertaking their studies in Australia, who are not using FEE HELP, the course fee, travel, accommodation, meals and incidentals should be tax deductible expense. If you are using FEE HELP, then only the travel related expenses is tax deductible.
Must I attend all daily walks?
Yes, unless you are unwell or you have made arrangements with the tour staff member to attend an alternative museum location directly connected with the course.
What resources should I bring with me?
The Adagio apartments is fully equip with wireless Internet. Therefore you may wish to bring your Laptop. It is strongly recommended that students download recommended articles and chapters from e-books, which are available on the DLS.
You are required to bring either a still camera or video – cam recorder and those from an art background may wish to bring an art pad & watercolours. All participants are required to maintain an ongoing journal throughout the duration of the study tour.
What happens after the daily walk in the evenings?
Whilst some of the after walk sessions will be dedicated to group discussions, there will be many opportunities to explore Paris along the right and left banks of the river Seine.
What type of weather can we expect during the study tour?
June/July is full summer in Europe with temperatures on average between 23 to 32 degrees. Though, similar to our summer weather there could be the occasional rainy day. Participants are advised to bring mostly suitable summer clothing with provisions for a rainy day.
1
A. Syndikas VART1746–Let’s look at Museums Study tour. FAQ. 2011