Sprachcaffe NewYorkCity-English-2013.pdf

7/27/2019 Sprachcaffe NewYorkCity-English-2013.pdf

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NEWY

ORK


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WELCOME TO SPRACHCAFFE

You are totally committed not just to having a holiday, but at the same time, also learning a new language or

improving your skills in a language you already know. This is why we would like to send you our warmest

congratulations! It is great when people want to make the world a bit smaller for themselves.

It pleases us even more that you have chosen Sprachcaffe. We offer lively teaching methods, a relaxed and stress-

free atmosphere, and learning through interaction and natural conversation. We have become experts in our fieldfor 30 years, with 32 destinations worldwide.

In the enclosed documents you will find everything you need to know for your trip. Please do not travel without

this information sheet. If you have any additional questions, we are glad to answer them: Please send us an email:

[email protected]

We wish you a great holiday and lots of success

Your Sprachcaffe Team

Content

FLIGHT TO NEW YORK 1ACCOMMODATION 2

HOST FAMILY 2APARTMENT 3

THE SCHOOL 4GENERAL INFORMATION 6NEW YORK CITY HOTELS, ATTRACTIONS, AND INFORMATION 8SCHOOL LOCATION 9FEEDBACK 9CHECKLIST BEFORE DEPARTURE 11CHECKLIST FOR RETURNING HOME 11REFUND POLICY/CALCULATION 12


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Sprachcaffe / GEOS Languages Plus New York

1133 Broadway, Suite 1520, New York, NY 10010

Phone: 1-646-674-0001, Emergency number (weekends only: 001 646-589-5536)

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Flight to New York

New York City is served by three major airports: JFK International Airport and LaGuardia Airport (domestic) are in

New York and Newark International Airport is in New Jersey State, about 1 hour west of Manhattan. We suggest

booking a flight to JFK or LaGuardia Airport, these are about 30 minutes from most of our host families and closer to

Manhattan than Newark. For those students requesting our Airport Pickup service, please keep in mind that this

service is available only for JFK and LaGuardia Airports. Airport Pickup service is not available for Newark

International Airport.

Arrival in New York

Please inform your agent or Sprachcaffe about your arrival time at least two weeks prior to your departure to the

USA. If you arrive at an inappropriate time you need to confirm your arrival with your agent and / or Sprachcaffe key

account.

Please understand that we cannot guarantee a smooth check-in if we are not informed of arrival dates and

times or delays in advance.

If you have requested our airport pickup service, someone will be at the airport to greet you and bring you to

your host familys house. Usually, this is your host family. Your host family will be holding a sign with your name.Bring this paper with you to the airport. After you leave customs and immigration, look for someone holding a sign

with your name on it.

If you have trouble finding your host family please give them a call!

If you cannot reach them, call our Emergency number at 001 646-589-5536

DO NOT TAKE A RIDE FROM ANYONE THAT IS NOT HOLDING A SIGN WITH YOUR NAME.

If you have not requested our airport pickup service, after leaving customs and immigration, look for the GROUND

TRANSPORTATION signs. Go outside the terminal and look for the uniformed TAXI DISPATCHER. Tell the

dispatcher where you want to go and they will arrange a taxi.

. From JFK, it is a flat fee of $45 plus highway toll and tip (10~15%) to anyplace in Manhattan.

From LaGuardia, the driver will use the taxi-meter and the fare will vary depending on the destination. The fare from

either airport to other places will vary. DO NOT accept any offers for rides or taxis from anyone inside the terminal

or anyone who is not the official taxi dispatcher. These are unlicensed taxi drivers who charge significantly increased

fares and are less than reliable.

DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OFFERS FOR A TAXI FROM ANYONE INSIDE THE AIRPORT


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Accommodation

It is our aim to provide the best service possible. However, if you have any issues during you stay please talk

directly to the school staff.

Your first contact address can be found in your voucher.

The emergency number for clients with accommodation is the following: 001 (732) 278 1189

Host Family

Students can experience North American culture and practice their English by sharing a home with a host family.

Students will have a private room with a bed, desk and closet. They will also have most or all of their meals providedby the family. All families have been visited by members of our school's staff and live in safe, comfortable

neighbourhoods close to the school.

You will likely find many differences in the way of living in the USA compared to your home country. Usually the

furnishing, the division of buildings and the cleanliness will be different. The rooms in the US are usually quite small

so that you will generally only have a bed, a table and a wardrobe in there. You will share the bathroom with otherstudents and / or the family.

Facilities:Some host families have washing machines and detergent, which are available for students to use at no

additional charge. Some host families may prefer to wash the students laundry for them. If a family doesnt have

washing machine, you will have to go to Laundromat and need quarters to use those machines. The families are

NOT responsible to do your laundry. Students can use the phone for local calls. They may also use the phone for

international and long distance calls but they have to purchase calling cards beforehand.

Services: The host family does the basic cleaning but students should keep their rooms clean. Bed-linen is provided.

The American host families are very open-minded, helpful and welcoming to their guests. In general, the families

will explain to you their house rules on the day of your arrival, such as, for example, house key responsibilities, times

for meals, and how to use the washing machine. You normally share the bathroom with other members of the

family. Please make sure that you always leave your room and bathroom clean and tidy. If you damage any

property in your host-familys home, you are held responsible for fixing and/or replacing the damaged property.

Please take the family into consideration and avoid unnecessary noise. Especially late in the evening.

Please inform your host family beforehand if you will not be home for a meal, if you plan to go on a trip for a few

days or if you are not staying at home overnight. Communication is a key aspect in keeping up a good relationship

with your host-family. If you would like to have a friend over at your host-familys home, please ask for permission

and arrange the date/time before.

Please discuss with your family any specific rules of the household. Students may be expected to help in small

household chores. Please ask permission before using the phone. Please also note that most of our Americanfamilies do not allow students to smoke in their rooms or in the rest of the house. When staying with a host family,

bed sheets and towels will be provided.

Sprachcaffe homestay rules indicate that we do not place two students with the same native language in the same

home. If there is another student in the home who speaks the same native language, please let the school know

right away.

If you would like to move out of homestay, there is normally a 2-week notification required, and if you leave

early, you would be responsible for these fees.

If students go on vacation while in homestay, they are still responsible for the accommodations fees.


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Most families have wireless internet at home. Whether or not students havetheir own computers, they should still ask their host family about the rules for using the internet at home.

Alcohol: Please make sure you know the legal drinking age in the city in which you are studying. In terms of

drinking alcohol at home, please make sure to check the rules with your host family, as different families have

different rules about alcohol consumption at home.

Please make sure to let Sprachcaffe know in advance of any food allergies, pet allergies, or special foodrequirements that you may have.

Distance from school

It is characteristic of New York that some students will have to travel by public transport to the center; normally a

maximum traveling time of 90 minutes during peak periods.

Apartment

University Place offers its residents a beautiful, well-decorated, boutique residence as appealing as a fine New York

hotel. Conveniently located at 385 McDonald Avenue in the Kensington section of Brooklyn, our state-of-the-artstudent housing property is home to students from NYC and all across the globe. Just minutes from Manhattan and

vibrant downtown Brooklyn.

Community Amenities

- 24/7 security and building concierge- Student lounge with big-screen TV, pool table and communal kitchen- Resident Advisers on site- F-Train subway and MTA buses stop at front door- Supermarket directly across the street- Dozens of restaurants, stores and banks within a few short blocks- Safe and gentrifying neighborhood- On-site parking available

Apartment Amenities

- Fully furnished apartments with private bathrooms and kitchenettes- TV w/ free cable and free local telephone service- All utilities included (electric included up to $40/person/month)


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The School

New York City is known as the Big Apple and is a major centre for culture, fashion, entertainment, finance, and

business in the world. There are amazing museums, great shopping districts, world class restaurants, and exciting

nightlife. New York is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic melting pot of people from all over the world. The Sprachcaffe

campus is located in the heart of Manhattan. We are in walking distance from all major subway, bus and commuter

rail stations. Many of New York's most famous attractions are a short walk away - Times Square, Madison Square

Garden, Broadway shows, Grand Central Station, and lots more.

During the summer classes are held by our summer time table. Please be at school at 12:00PM during these

dates. Outside these dates please be at the school at 9AM.We will have a school orientation and you will take a

placement test. Remember to bring all your important documents with you on the first day of school including your

passport, U.S. address, I-20, and letter of financial support.

Address: Sprachcaffe New York / GEOS Languages Plus1133 Broadway, Suite 1520, New York, NY 10010

(On Broadway between 25th

and 26th

Street)

Phone: 1-646-674-0001

Emergency number (weekends only: 001 646-589-5536)

We have a modern facility including a spacious student lounge with computers and high-speed Internet access. All

instructors are native speakers, and are highly skilled, caring professionals. Our staff is specially trained to work with

international students and we pride ourselves in the high level of personal attention we give to every student. Publictransportation to school: the closest subways stops are the N/R train at 28th street, 6 train at 28th street, and F/M

train at 23rd street.

Opening hours: 9am 5:30pm, Monday to Friday

Languages spoken by the staff at the school: Spanish, French, Japanese, and German

Student card: A student card with photo is issued on arrival at a $5 fee.

Bistro, Snacks and Drinks: 2 Vending machines (1 with beverages and one with snacks) and a water cooler

Internet room: There is a computer lab and free wireless internet throughout the school.

Study Room: A study room where students can work on/revise their homework is available.

Schedule for the first day of school:

Orientation for new students Placement Test Speaking Test Lunch Break Academic Orientation Homestay Orientation 02:30pm Finished

The school is open Monday through Friday. If you have an emergency on the weekend, please call the

Accommodations Officer, Mr. Jonathan Feigenson at 1-646-873-0047

Please note that you need to pay a for the course books. The approximate prices are:

$40 - 60 for part-time course

$80 - 100 for standard course

$120 - 140 for intensive course(changes during the year are possible)


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Students will be charged per class and will be given their own book to use, write in and keep. If you are enrolled for 4

weeks or less, you have the option to rent the books instead of buy them. The fee would be $40 per book plus $5 per

book per week non-refundable rental fee.

Summer time table:

Standard:12:00pm-1:30pm I.S.

1:45pm-3:15pm A.L.

Intensive:

12:00pm-1:30pm I.S.

1:45pm-3:15pm A.L.

3:30pm-5:00pm Elective 1

Super Intensive:

10:00am-11:30am Elective 2

12:00pm-1:30pm I.S.1:45pm-3:15pm A.L.

3:30pm-5:00pm Elective 1

Students may change into a lower or higher level class after completing the course, or after 8 weeks with teacherrecommendation if they have achieved a minimum of 80% attendance and 80% average score on all tests. The

maximum number of students in one group is 14.

During your entire stay, we will offer you the highest quality of teaching. Our employees and teachers have a lot

experience with long-term students and especially with examination preparation courses. However, please also take

into consideration that the teachers, despite their years of experience, cannot be held fully responsible for the

examination results. Only if you participate actively in the lessons will you be best prepared for the examination.

Lessons are not held on the following public holidays in 2013: 01.01., 21.01., 18.02., 27.05., 04.07., 02.09.,

14.10., 28.11.-29.11. and 25.12.. Please note that lessons lost due to public holidays, late arrival or early

departure will not be made up.

It is our aim to provide the best service possible. However, if you have any issues during you stay please talk

directly to the school staff.

School closures due to force majeur

'In cases of force majeur, the school will be closed. In such cases, group lessons are not recuperated or refunded.

Private lessons will be rescheduled with the agreement of the student, teacher and the school management.'


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General information

Money

Please ask your bank about the current exchange rate. We recommend paying by credit card (such as Visa Card,

American Express or Eurocard) or using Travellers Checks rather than changing large amounts of money in the

United States.

Tip10 to 15 % of the total amount is standard in the United States for wait-staff at restaurants as well as taxi drivers

Individuals who assist with carrying luggage often expect a tip of a few dollars. Also, in NYC, it is customary to leave

a dollar tip for every drink one orders at a bar. Tipping appropriately helps to ensure the best service!

Insurance

We strongly recommend taking out health insurance because medical service in the U.S. can be very expensive if

you do not have appropriate insurance.

The loss or damage of luggage and valuables is always a great disappointment but this risk of loss can be covered byalso taking out luggage insurance.

TimeThe time lag is: MET - 6 hours.

Climate

Month Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Precipitation.

Jan 4C -3C 98.6 mmFeb 6C -2C 75.2 mm

Mar 10C 2C 102.6 mm

Apr 16C 7C 99.8 mm

May 22C 13C 112.5 mm

Jun 26C 18C 89.2 mm

Jul 29C 21C 115.1 mm

Aug 28C 21C 104.9 mmSep 24C 16C 101.1 mm

Oct 18C 10C 86.1 mm

Nov 12C 5C 96.5 mm

Dec 7C 0C 91.4 mm

(Source: http://beta.weather.com/weather/)

TransportationGetting around New York City is a breeze, thanks to 3,700 buses, 714 miles of subways, 12,000 taxis and limousines,

and countless feeder roads. There are also ferries, helicopters, bicycles, and frequent Amtrak and commuter rail

service. And dont forget your feet! NYC is a walking city flat and much of it on a grid. For more information, please

visit http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm

Subway: Metros run between the airports JFK and LaGuardia and the city. You can take a shuttle bus to get to the

Metro station. Metrocards can be bought on a pay-per-ride basis ($2,25 per ride) or weekly or an unlimited ridebasis. http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited

Bus: The Express Shuttle USA (formerly Gray Line) operates daily from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm from JFK, LaGuardia,

and Newark Airports. Immediate arrangements can be made at the Airport Ground Transportation Desk or dial 24 at

the Express Shuttle USA courtesy phone at the baggage claim area. Operates daily from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm to the

airports. For tickets, reservations and service locations call: 1-212-315-3006 or 1-800-451-0455. Service operates

between airports and hotels between 21st-103rd St. Fares for Round Trip: La Guardia 26$, JFK and Newark 28$.

Documents


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We strongly recommend copying all your important travel documents (such asflight ticket, insurance policies, passport, driving licence, documents of the rental car) before you start your

language trip to New York. In case you lose one of these documents, authorities can help you more efficiently on the

basis of your copies.

Smoking and Drinking

Smoking is frowned upon in the United States! New York State has published several strict laws concerning smoking

in public areas. Nobody can smoke inside a public area or in park now. Anywhere outside is fine. It is strictlyforbidden for people under 21 to drink alcoholic drinks in public areas such as bars or restaurants

Taxi: from JFK into the city can take between from 30-60 minutes. The cost is about $45 to Manhattan not including

bridge or tunnel tolls (these are an additional $4). Taxis from La Guardia into the city take 20-40 minutes. They cost

between $16-$26 excluding tolls (these are an additional $3). Taxis from Newark into the city take anywhere from

20-45 minutes. They cost $30-$38 excluding tolls (these are an additional $10). Be sure to hail a cab in the

designated areas or ask a uniformed airport employee to help you. Generally, it's polite to tip at least $1 per bag if

the taxi driver assists you.http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/taxicab_rate.shtml

Location DescriptionNew York City, known as the Capital of the World and the Big Apple, is one of the worlds centers of education,

arts and finance. The public transportation system in New York is one of the best in the world, making it easy to visit

museums, cultural attractions, and the fascinating neighborhoods that make New York the world class city that it is

today.

During the daytime, Central Park is a great place to visit. Its historical statues and patches of green grass are open

for all to enjoy. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Carnegie Hall are two places to check out if you appreciate

fine art and music. The exhibits at the MoMA and the performances at Carnegie Hall are top notch. Times Square is

literally an outside museum a place of pop culture with neon lights and humongous advertisements that are larger-

than-life. Also, catching a Broadway musical while in New York is a must.

While the city offers a plethora of activities, New Yorkers also love to get away from the fast-paced city life. Thebreathtakingly beautiful Niagara Falls located in both New York and Canada are a short day-trip away. The falls are

the largest attraction within Niagara County, but there are also other interesting things to do. Riding the Whirlpool

Jet Boat is a great way to get to know the Niagara area. Touring the Cave of the Winds or visiting the Art Park are

other fun alternatives. Just a short train ride east of Manhattan is Long Island. It boasts of white sand beaches and

haunting but beautiful lighthouses. While at Long Island be sure to also check out its busy boat traffic, dramatic

cliffs, green hills and magnificent mansions.

Popular Tourist Sites: Times Square, Little Italy, Chinatown, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Metropolitan

Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, The

United Nations, Central Park, The Metropolitan Opera and many more.


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New York City Hotels, Attractions, and

Information

Once capital of the United States, now considered capital of the world, New York City is a wonderful place to visit.Whether you go for the exclusive shopping, phenomenal dining or the culture, culture, culture, New York City has

something for everyone. Tourists find themselves dizzy when trying to decide just what to do first in this city ofabundant activities. New York can be visited over and over again throughout a lifetime, yet each time something

new and exciting to experience can easily be found. Whether travelling for business, a family vacation or a romantic

getaway, New York is a city that people fall in love with. Hundreds of New York City hotels dot the landscape to

serve your specific need.

World Famous Museums

New York City has literally hundreds of world famous museums. The National Academy of Design possesses one of

the largest assemblages of American art including 2,200 paintings, 5,000 works on paper and 240 sculptures. Wide

arrays of artists are on display. The American Museum of the Moving Image chronicles the art, history and

technology of mediums such as film, television and digital media. A trip here will open your eyes to just how much

these mediums affect the world that we live in. In addition to offering visitors educational tours that focus on marine

history, the Waterfront Museum puts on performing and visual arts programs. The Paleontological ResearchInstitution has dinosaur eggs from China as part of their extensive collection. The Snug Harbor Cultural Center is an83-acre National Historic Landmark made up of buildings that represent various architectural styles including Greek

Revival, Victorian and Italianate. The collection at the Ukrainian Museum includes folk art and fine arts. In addition

to housing an art gallery and research center, the Caribbean Cultural Center sells handcrafted jewelry, instruments

and art from Africa. The Museum of Jewish Heritage's Living Memorial to the Holocaust features over 20

documentary films as well as 2,000 photographs from this horrible time in history. The Museum of Modern Art

possesses one of the most extensive collections in the world. Over 100,000 pieces of art are on display representing

every artistic medium under the sun. The museum's library features over 140,000 books and periodicals. The MOMAis an art lover's dream come true. The Metropolitan Museum of Art represents over 2,000 different artists.

Celebrities are immortalized at Madame Tussaud's. The museum features over 170 wax figures of the rich and

famous.

Entertainment and Recreation

New York City is absolutely exploding with zoos, parks, gardens and entertainment complexes. Central Park

stretches over 840-acres and offers a wide array of activities including sports, entertainment and a zoo. The

Brooklyn Botanical Garden features over 12,000 species of plants. The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden is absolutelybeautiful. The New York Botanical Garden is the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic or romantic stroll. Home to over 48

gardens, the foliage is bursting with vibrant colors during the spring and fall months. The world famous Bronx Zoo is

the largest in the United States. Over 6,000 animals call the Bronx Zoo home. Prospect Park is the sight of

numerous events including concerts, plays and festivals. Visitors to Broadway City can play high-tech video games

and experience virtual reality tours. A trip to New York City is not complete without a visit to Radio City Music Hall,

home to the high kicking Rockettes. Staten Island Zoo has been drawing animal lovers for over 50 years. Carnegie

Hall has hosted some of the best concerts and performances ever. The New York Aquarium, located on Coney

Island, features over 350 species of marine life. The best view of the city can be seen from the 86th and 102nd floors

of the Empire State Building. The building looms over Manhattan and is one of the most popular tourist attractionsin the Big Apple. The Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex features everything from bowling and roller

skating to shopping and a fitness facility. The Astroland Amusement Park is a fun place for the entire family. The

world famous Cyclone Roller Coaster is deemed an official historic landmark. Home to the New York Knicks,

Madison Square Garden hosts an array of sporting and concert events throughout the year. The Statue of Liberty is

probably New York's most popular symbol. A gift from the French, Lady Liberty represents everything that makes

the United States one of the best countries in the world. For further information visit: www.visit-new-york-city.com.


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School location


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Feedback

Before the everyday routine back at home sets in completely we would be very pleased if you could give us your

feedback. As a participant you can tell us about your experiences. Just fill out the online form at

http://www.sprachcaffe.com/english/feedback.htmWe always welcome ideas, tips and constructive criticism!

Address: Sprachcaffe Languages PLUS

Headquartes Gartenstrasse 6

D 60594 Frankfurt/Main

Tel.: 069 (0) 6109 120

Fax: 069 (0) 603 1395

Email: [email protected]

www.sprachcaffe.com

We wish you a wonderful stay and a successful language course!

Your

Sprachcaffe Team


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Checklist before departure

Things you might want to think of when packing your luggage

Important travel items

Travel guide

Reading material

Dictionary

Cash, credit card

Phone number of your credit card company, in case you have to block the card

Vaccination card

Inform Sprachcaffe about arrival time

Alarm clock

Sunglasses

First-aid kit

Sunscreen

Any medicine required Insect spray

Medicine for stomach trouble

Plasters

After-sun lotion

Tweezers

Travel documents

Identity card

Flight or train ticket

Student ID

Sprachcaffe travel documents

Sport/Hobby

Camera

Extra film, extra memory card

Music / radio

Batteries

Sports equipment

Insurances

Travel health insurance

Luggage insurance

Insurance card from your car insurance

Phone number of your car insurance

Checklist for returning home

Buy souvenirs for friends and relatives at home

Exchange addresses with people in the course, teachers and host family

Pick up course participation certificate

Tidy and clean up the room

Pack and check the rooms for anything left behind


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Refund Policy/Calculation

Due to U.S. government regulations, GEOS Languages Plus is obliged to give proof that every student has read

their Refund and Cancellation Policies. Because of this we ask you to read and sign the following form. It is

important to sign and date this form BEFORE you leave your home country. Please bring it to school with you

on the first day. The school staff will collect it from you during orientation. You will not be able to take part inyour class without this form.

Cancellation Term Refund

Prior to or on the first day of class Total refund*

Within the first 4 weeks Total refund, less 4-week-price of tuition*

After the first 4 weeks, before the midpoint of the term Total refund, less the number of weeks completed*

After the midpoint of the term No refund

In case of additional terms of study booked:

before the midpoint of the new term

Total refund, less the number of weeks completed up to the

midpoint of the new term.*

In case of additional terms of study booked:

after the midpoint of the new term

No refund

* minus any non-refundable fees as outlined in the enrollment agreement

GEOS is not obligated to make any refunds to students who are dropped administratively due to the violation of its written

disciplinary and/or attendance policies or local, state or federal law

All refunds will be made within 45 calendar days of a student's cancellation or withdrawal.

Students who enroll at GEOS with an overseas agency should collect their refund from that agency directly.

All tuition discounts or special offers are dependent upon completion of the total contracted weeks of study. If a

student withdraws or shortens their course after the first day of class, but before completing 50% of their contracted

number of weeks, the student will be charged the pro-rated price for the number of weeks completed when

calculating a refund.

I have read, understood, and agree to my rights and responsibilities. The institution's cancellation and refund

policies have been clearly explained to me.

X____________________________________________

Date Signed ___________/_________ /____________