Villanova University, School of Business Global Citizens Program, England

Program Basics

This program is open to Villanova University freshman that will be enrolled in the Villanova School of Business. This sixteen week overseas study experience combines academic coursework with a practical internship located in London, England

Why Attend?

This program is designed to offer a unique and life-altering academic experience, thereby enabling participants to:

• Stimulate greater intellectual curiosity early in their college careers
• Challenge pre-conceived notions of the world
• Test career assumptions early
• Start building resumes and allow for more competitive future jobs
• Have the opportunity to study overseas later as a sophomore, junior, or first semester senior.

Overview

I think the most important thing is not to worry about missing anything at Villanova. Villanova will be there for 3 ½ other years and how many opportunities after college will you be able to live in Europe for 4 months?

- William Twomey, 2005 GCP Alum

Program dates

Spring 2008: January 7 to April 26.
A 16-week program, including:

2008 Calendar

Program schedule

• 10-week course component (January 8 – March 12)
• 3 days of exams (March 10 – March 12)
• 4-day mid-term break (March 13 – March 16)
• 6-week internship component (March 17 – April 25)

Program schedule

Monday, January 7 – Airport pick-up, arrival to housing
Tuesday, January 8 – Program orientation, tour of London, course meetings begin
Tuesday, January 8 to Friday, March 7 – Course meetings
Monday, March 10 to Wednesday, March 12 – Exams
Thursday, March 13 to Sunday, March 16 – Mid-term break
Monday, March 17 to Friday, April 25 – Professional practice internship
Saturday, April 26 – Departure from housing, airport drop-off

Professional practice internship

Villanova University will partner with EUSA, a provider of academic internship services in London. EUSA has partnered with the Villanova School of Business since 2001 and the organization has placed over 500 Villanova students in academic internships throughout Europe. Students will participate in a 6-week professional practice internship, working 40 hours a week, Monday-Friday (240 contact hours)

Villanova University students will have access to professional practice internship opportunities spanning a wide variety of industry sectors in London. The internship services include:

• Instructions on preparation of a placement essay and a resume appropriate to the England
• Individual interview with an internship director on the Villanova University campus approximately two months prior to the program start date
• Group orientation on the Villanova University campus and on-site in London
• Placement of student in a professional practice internship
• Follow-up and any required trouble-shooting
• Coordination with each internship supervisor and obtaining the supervisor’s and the student’s written evaluations

Internship placements are based on the skills, interests and professional goals of the student and the project needs and work cycles of the internship sponsors. Students are placed in internships that directly reflect or relate to their courses of study to ensure quality and academic relevance of the placement.

Academic Coursework

There will be four course components, developed in collaboration with Villanova University and taught by British faculty:

1. Culture and Ideas in Britain
2. Intro to Macroeconomics
3. U.S. and U.K. Constitutional Systems
4. Directed Study Tutorial

On-campus Orientation

Once the participating students have arrived on Villanova’s campus in the fall, a member of the Office of International Studies’ staff will lead a series of orientation sessions on various topics that will prepare the Global Citizens for their semester abroad and internship placement.

Support Services in London

Orientation

All Global Citizens will participate in a pre-departure orientation on the Villanova University campus and an on-site orientation for students upon arrival to London.

Management and safety

EUSA’s London office, located near student housing, provides management and support to students for the duration of the program. A EUSA program director will be the principal contact for students on issues of housing, safety, culture and social life in the city. The program director will also serve as the principal contact with the Villanova University campus.

The program director will be available via regular office hours, outside the students’ normal work schedules, to answer questions and resolve problems and will also be available to students 24 hours per day via cell phone for medical, legal or other emergencies.   

Housing

Students will be provided with weeks of centrally located student housing in London. Students will stay in centrally located and fully renovated flats in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, one of London’s most attractive and safe neighborhoods. All flats are fully furnished, self-contained and specially designed for the student lifestyle. Each has a kitchen with modern cooking facilities, high-speed Ethernet connections, phone lines and basic weekly housekeeping.

Logistics

• Airport pick-up for group designated flight and airport drop-off on final day of the program
• London underground travel card for Zones 1&2 (16 weeks)
• Mobile phone rental for each student (16 weeks)

Global Citizens was my first time out of the United States. This was a huge leap for me, but I can't say how much this changed my life. I caught a travel bug after I realized a little bit of the world out there beyond our borders and I haven't looked back!
- Laura Spedick, 2004 GCP Alum

Cultural services

• Two one-day trips
• Two theatre trips
• Tour of London
• Farewell reception

Cost of the Global Citizens Program

GCP participants pay normal Villanova semester tuition directly to Villanova University. Students are entitled to all approved Villanova grants and scholarship aid. All GCP housing costs are included in the cost of tuition, but students are responsible for meals and their personal expenses. Estimated additional costs and meal options can be discussed with the staff of the Office of International Studies prior to departure.

Application to the Program

Participants are selected based on their high school academic credentials and are invited to apply. All invited students interested in applying for the GCP must submit a two page letter detailing why they are interested in the program and what they hope to gain from the experience. This letter must be submitted to the Office of International Studies, no later than April 4, 2008.

All selected participants will be notified by April 11, 2008.

Questions

For further information, please contact the Office of International Studies, Middleton Hall, Villanova, PA 19085-1699, or by phone: 610/519-6412

NOTICE: Villanova University reserves the right to modify or cancel the program if circumstances warrant...