Departure and Return: roughly Thursday, Aug 28 - Friday, December 5, will be confirmed once flights are ticketed 5-day break: September 18-22 In Rwanda: roughly Oct 31 - Nov 28 (4 weeks)

What do I need to travel internationally? You must have a valid passport from your home country. You can check here to see if the countries you plan on visiting have additional passport requirements (e.g., length of validity from departure date or number of blank pages available). We will obtain the visas for your travel to Africa. How do I get to Lugano? We book group flights for the students on the program. We generally fly out of Dulles Airport (IAD). You will receive 1 free checked bag, carry on, and personal item with your ticket. You can book your own flight if you would like - please notify program directors if you prefer to do so. Students are responsible for coordinating their travel to the airport.

What is the deposit? Virginia Tech & Other University Students The non-refundable deposit of $1,200 is required to secure your place in the program and is not refundable if you withdraw within four months of the program's start date. Withdrawals requested more than four months in advance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Roanoke College Students The non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your place in the program and is not refundable if you withdraw within four months of the program's start date. Withdrawals requested more than four months in advance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. When do I need to complete my payments? Virginia Tech $5,800 (½ program fee) billed May 15, due June 16 $5,800 (½ program fee) billed July 1, due August 1 Tuition billed in July, due in August In-state: $6,751.00 Out-of-state: $15,789.00 Tuition will be billed by Roanoke College - you will not pay tuition to your home school (Virginia Tech, etc.) for the Fall semester. Other University Students $5,800 (½ program fee) billed May 15, due June 16 $5,800 (½ program fee) billed July 1, due August 1 Tuition billed in July, due in August Tuition will be billed by Roanoke College - you will not pay tuition to your home school (Virginia Tech, etc.) for the Fall semester. Roanoke College Students You will pay on-campus room, board, and fees Your tuition payment remains the same as a semester on campus What scholarships are available to me? Scholarships are available through the program. The application does not open until the group is in Lugano. Virginia Tech & Other University Students: We will work with you to ensure your scholarships/financial aid transfers to Roanoke College. Roanoke College students: Your scholarships will apply as usual. Can I use my financial aid? Virginia Tech & Other University Students Please see the attached document to see if your financial aid can be applied to your tuition. Roanoke College Students You will continue to receive your normal financial aid package while on the program. What is included in my program fee? Housing Lodging in Lugano and Rwanda Meals Dinner 4x/week in Lugano 3 meals/day in Rwanda Flights Round trip to/from Europe Round trip to/from Rwanda Eurail Pass You will receive a 15-day Eurail pass as part of your Program Fee. This pass allows you to travel throughout Europe using the train system at little to no cost. International Travel Insurance We enroll all students in the program in CISI international health insurance for the semester. Once you have been enrolled, you will receive an email with the information (we will email students so they know when to expect it). Safari in Rwanda Visa for Rwanda Weekly laundry

Where will I live in Lugano? You will live at the Montarina Hostel in Lugano, Switzerland, which is conveniently located 5 minutes from Lugano’s train station. How are roommates assigned? Rooms and roommates are randomly assigned for the group (2-5 students per room). What meals are included? In Lugano Students receive dinner 4 nights/week on the Montarina property Students receive a lunch card for Franklin University worth 100 CHF Students are responsible for their breakfast and lunch on the weekdays. You will have access to refrigerators and a small kitchen in the Montarina. In Rwanda You receive 3 meals/day for the duration of your visit Can I have something mailed to me while I’m in Lugano? Yes! The mailing address is listed below: Your Name C/O David Brinberg Montarina Hotel and Hostel Via Montarina 1 CH-6900, Lugano, Switzerland

What should I pack? We have linked our recommended Fall Packing List here Comfortable yet functional clothing is key. Europeans are more formal dressers than Americans. Keep in mind: bring clothes that you can mix, match, and wear with little fuss. Remember if you didn’t wear something at home, you probably won’t wear it abroad (so just don’t pack it). You will also probably want to buy things as you are there! Do I need to prepare for anything medically? There are no required vaccines or medications needed to visit Rwanda. We recommend speaking with your doctor to determine the best plan for you. If you take a daily prescription, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist to bring enough medication for the duration of the program. It can be difficult to get exactly what you might need based on different regulations in Europe.

Can I earn a minor in Leadership and Social Change with Virginia Tech? Students in the Linking Lives Study Abroad program have the opportunity to pursue a minor in Leadership and Social Change. The following courses can be substituted in the minor: MKTG 4644 Marketing, Society, and Public Interest for LDRS 4514 Skills for Nonprofit Leaders MKTG 3954 Study abroad for LDRS 3954 Study Abroad Students would still need to complete: 6 credits of LDRS core courses (including LDRS 1414 Citizen Leadership which is required) 6 credits of social change electives (from group and society sections; see link below) 1 credit LDRS 4044 Leadership Studies Capstone (also required) More information can be found here. Can I take another class while I'm on the program? You can enroll in an online course through Virginia Tech, separate from the program if you would like. Additional tuition would need to be paid to Virginia Tech for the course. It would need to be an online asynchronous course to accommodate your course schedule while in Lugano/Rwanda. Students are generally disconnected while in Rwanda, so it would not be possible to complete coursework during November for an online class.

Departure & Return: Roughly January 9 - April 17, will be confirmed once flights are ticketed First Break: After Class on Thursday, January 29th - Sunday, February 8th (must be back in class on Monday, February 9th) Must leave Schengen region if not going to Rwanda (E.g. UK, Morocco) Second Break: After Class on Friday, February 27th - Sunday, March 8th (must be back in class on Monday, March 10th) Third Break: IF Traveling to Rwanda for the Third Break: Departure from Lugano on Friday, March 27th Leave Rwanda on Friday, April 10th (return to Lugano on Saturday, April 11th) IF Staying in Europe for the Third Break: After Class on Thursday, March 26th - Sunday, April 5th (must be back in class on Monday, April 6th)

What do I need to travel internationally? You must have a valid passport from your home country. You can check here to see if the countries you plan on visiting have additional passport requirements (e.g., length of validity from departure date or number of blank pages available). We will obtain the visas for your travel to Africa. How do I get to Lugano? We book group flights for the students on the program. We generally fly out of Dulles Airport (IAD). You will receive 1 free checked bag, carry on, and personal item with your ticket. You can book your own flight if you would like - please notify program directors if you prefer to do so. Students are responsible for coordinating their travel to the airport. What is the Schengen Region Limit? The Schengen Region only allows tourists to be within the region for 90 days within a 180 day period. Our students must comply with this rule. Exit and re-entry dates do not count as days outside of the region. If you choose to go to Eastern Africa during your third 10-day break, you are not required to travel outside of the Schengen region during your first break, as you won't be over the maximum number of days in the Schengen Region (90 out of 180 days). If you choose not to go to Eastern Africa during your third 10-day break, you are required to travel outside of the Schengen region during one of your 10-day breaks. Students are required to leave the Schengen region so they do not overstay the 90 days within a 180-day period. If a student plans to extend their time in Europe, they will need to exit the region for the appropriate amount of days. This Schengen calculator is a useful tool to determine when students need to exit the region.

What is the deposit? Virginia Tech & Other University Students The non-refundable deposit of $1,200 is required to secure your place in the program and is not refundable if you withdraw within four months of the program's start date. Withdrawals requested more than four months in advance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Roanoke College Students The non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your place in the program and is not refundable if you withdraw within four months of the program's start date. Withdrawals requested more than four months in advance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. When do I need to complete my payments? Virginia Tech $6,000 (½ program fee) billed mid-September, due mid-October $6,000 (½ program fee) billed mid-October, due mid-November Tuition billed early December, due early January In-state: $6,751.00 Out-of-state: $15,789.00 Tuition will be billed by Roanoke College - you will not pay tuition to Virginia Tech for the Spring semester. Other Universities $6,000 (½ program fee) billed mid-September, due mid-October $6,000 (½ program fee) billed mid-October, due mid-November Tuition billed early December, due early January In-state: $6,751.00 Out-of-state: $15,789.00 Tuition will be billed by Roanoke College - you will not pay tuition to your home school for the Spring semester. Roanoke College You will pay on-campus room, board, and fees Your tuition payment remains the same as a semester on campus What scholarships are available to me? Scholarships are available through the program. The application does not open until the group is in Lugano. Virginia Tech students & Other University Students: We will work with you to ensure your scholarships/financial aid transfers to Roanoke College. Roanoke College Students: Your scholarships will apply as usual. What is included in my program fee? Housing in Lugano Dinner 4x/week in Lugano Flights to/from Europe Three-month unlimited Eurail Pass International Travel Insurance We enroll all students in the program in CISI international health insurance for the semester. Once you have been enrolled, you will receive an email with the information (we will email students so they know when to expect it). Weekly Laundry

Where will I live? You will live at the Montarina Hostel in Lugano, Switzerland, which is conveniently located 5 minutes from Lugano’s train station. You will have access to refrigerators and a small kitchen in the Montarina. How are roommates assigned? Rooms and roommates are randomly assigned for the group (2-5 students per room). What meals are included? In Lugano You receive dinner 4 nights/week and a lunch card for Franklin University Students are responsible for their breakfast and lunch on the weekdays In Rwanda (if you choose to go) You receive 3 meals a day for the duration of your visit Can I have something mailed to me while I’m in Lugano? Yes! The mailing address is listed below: Your Name C/O David Brinberg Montarina Hotel and Hostel Via Montarina 1 CH-6900, Lugano, Switzerland

What should I pack? We have linked our recommended Spring Packing List here Comfortable yet functional clothing is key. Europeans are more formal dressers than Americans. Keep in mind: bring clothes that you can mix, match, and wear with little fuss. Remember if you didn’t wear something at home, you probably won’t wear it abroad (so just don’t pack it). You will also probably want to buy things as you are there! Do I need to prepare for anything medically? If you take a daily prescription, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist to have that filled for the duration of the program. It can be difficult to get exactly what you might need based on different regulations in Europe.

Can I get credit for International Marketing at Virginia Tech? You can substitute MKTG 3954 for MKTG 4704 by completing additional reading and a paper that examines a topic in international marketing. Can I earn a minor in Leadership and Social Change with Virginia Tech? Students in the Linking Lives study abroad program have the opportunity to pursue a minor in Leadership and Social Change. The following courses can be substituted in the minor: MKTG 4644 Marketing, Society, and Public Interest for LDRS 4514 Skills for Nonprofit Leaders MKTG 3954 Study Abroad for LDRS 3954 Study Abroad Students would still need to complete: 6 credits of LDRS core courses (including LDRS 1414 Citizen Leadership which is required) 6 credits of social change electives (from group and society sections; see link below) 1 credit LDRS 4044 Leadership Studies Capstone (also required) More information can be found here. Can I take another class while I’m on the program? You can enroll in an online course through Virginia Tech, separate from the program if you would like. Additional tuition would need to be paid to Virginia Tech for the course. It would need to be an online asynchronous course to accommodate your course schedule while in Lugano/Rwanda. Students are generally disconnected while in Rwanda, so it would not be possible to complete coursework during the two weeks in April for an online class.

During the last 10-day break, you have the opportunity to participate in an optional experiential learning project with our nonprofit partners in Eastern Africa. How much does it cost? The optional Africa experience is an additional cost ($2,300) not included in the program fee. This includes airfare to/from Rwanda, 3 meals/day while in Rwanda, lodging, and the visa for Rwanda. When do I need to decide? We will get a final count for the optional Rwanda trip during the first week in Lugano. What will I do there? Your project will depend on the needs of our non-profit partner organizations in Africa. To learn more about the Africa experience, check out our Service Learning and Impact pages. Do I need to prepare for anything medically? There are no required vaccines or medications needed to visit Rwanda. We recommend speaking with your doctor to determine the best plan for you