The Freshman Passport program is so unique to St.
John's that we realize the amount of questions you might have.
Below we try to help answer those questions and give you all of the
specifics about your upcoming trip to Rome!
1. Will I know anyone else on the
program?
Students attending the summer program will meet during
orientation sessions specifically designed to introduce the group
and prepare them for their exciting adventure together. Students
attending the winter program will have the opportunity to meet the
other students and faculty over the course of their semester
together in New York!
2. How are the classes connected to the
program?
The global sections of English 1000c have a "Writing in
Rome" component designed specifically for the First-Year Student
Global Education Program. Throughout the 2 weeks of their stay in
Rome, students will work on a "critical journal," a culminating
project that will pull together much of what they have learned in
the previous semester throughout their ENG 1000c course. This
critical journal will be a portfolio of short essays, photographs,
and research-oriented writing. Students participating in the summer
Discover New York 1000C…
3. Do we fly together as a group and how to I get to
the Rome campus?
We’ll arrange group travel for all students,
with chaperones available to meet your family at the airport. In
addition, we’ll have buses ready to pick students up in Rome and
take them to the residence.
4. Where will I be staying and what is the rooming
situation like?
Students will stay in our newly renovated Rome Campus,
located in the historic Prati district. We’re located roughly 15
minutes’ walk from the Vatican and just two blocks from the Lepanto
metro stop in a beautiful residential neighborhood. Students will
live in double and triple rooms on our campus, which also has a
library, student lounge, computer lab, and shared bathrooms for
residents’ use.
5. Who from the University will be going and
overseeing the program experience?
The trip will include the faculty from each of the English
1000c or Discover New York sections involved in the program as well
as other administrators who work in the Institute for Core Studies.
In addition our Rome Campus is fully staffed with administrators
and staff who will be working in conjunction with the
program!
6. What are the policies and rules that students
must abide to?
Students are required to follow all regulations and policies
contained in the student handbook regardless of which campus you
are enrolled or when participating in a program. For more
information please visit http://www.stjohns.edu/campus/handbook for
detailed information. In addition, policies regarding the program
specifically will be discussed at the program orientation.
7. What if I get sick when I am
away?
In addition to our NYC-based chaperones, the students
will be met with our on-site staff, including a residence life team
who speak Italian. They’ll be able to assist with any medical or
personal issues. We’ll also provide all students with international
health insurance that will provide access to emergency services and
supplement your required, personal insurance while
overseas.
8. What travel documents do I need to participate in
the program?
All students will need a valid US passport. You’ll also need
to fill out standard university forms—e.g., a travel release,
emergency contact information, insurance verification—prior to
departure.
9. What's included in the price?
Included in the program price is roundtrip airfare,
housing, coach bus transfers in Rome to and from the airport,
several meals per week, a guided day trip to Florence, the Servant
Leadership and Service Seminar Program, walking tours, and a
Welcome and Farewell Dinner!
10. Will there be free-time?
Yes, students will have free time each day at the
conclusion of the program itinerary. However, the program includes
many activities that students are required to participate in over a
small amount of time. Not enough time is scheduled for students to
travel to other countries or European cities during this
trip.
11. Should I bring cash or euros with
me?
Students are welcome to bring a small amount of local
currency with them—perhaps €50. However, most travelers find it
easier and cheaper to use their ATM card to withdraw currency once
abroad. We’ll provide additional detail on money during our
pre-departure sessions, but you won’t have any
difficulty.
12. What happens if I decide not to go? Will I get a
refund?
In order to provide students with the most reasonable
price for the program, airfare and trips plans are arranged very
early. Due to the tight timeframe, summer program participants will
be ineligible for refunds after they commit to the program; winter
intersession participants will have until until September 5, 2009
to withdraw from the program without penalty. After this deadline,
students are fully responsible for all program cost and fees and
will ineligible for a refund.
13. Will the university run any pre-departure events
to help make my transition smooth?
The Institute of Core Studies and the Office of Global
Studies will host an orientation prior to departure to ensure that
your questions are answered and that you are prepared for all that
awaits you in Rome! If you are not from the New York area and plan
to participate in the summer program, we will make the program
available to you via online tools.
14. This sounds great! How do I sign
up?
Admission to the Freshman Passport Program is selective
and interested students need to complete and submit an application
by June 30, 2009. A committee will evaluate all applications
perspective candidates and notified of their acceptance. For more
information please contact Dr. James Keane, Associate Provost at keanej1@stjohns.edu
or by calling at 718-990-5530.