Luggage

Coaches have limited space for luggage.  Luggage is restricted to one large size suitcase with a maximum weight of 20 kilos (44 lbs) plus one small hand/day bag that can go on the coach with you.  It will not look anything like what you are used to carrying on board an airplane in the overhead bins—absolutely no rollaboards will be allowed.  No external metal frame backpacks are allowed because the overhead racks on the coaches are very limited and narrow in space.  The size of your carry-on bag is limited to the size of a handbag or very small collapsible soft-sided bag.  Once you are in Barcelona then luggage restrictions will not be so strict.  You might plan to purchase one of those collapsible soft-sided duffle bags that fits in your luggage so that after you arrive in Barcelona you will be able to use it as an additional bag through the rest of your trip.  Students with excess luggage may be required to ship their excess luggage at their own expense.

Student Loans/ Financial Aid

All Miami students eligible for student loans may apply through the Financial Aid Office of the University of Miami School of Law.  Applications for financial aid must be completed and submitted to the University of Miami Law School Financial Aid office by the end of March 2007.

The financial aid budget available for the 2007 London Summer Program is adequate to meet all your financial needs associated with your summer study of law abroad but it is not generous. In addition to the federally regulated Stafford loan, students can also apply for a Graduate Plus loan which together fund the full cost of the program. The Graduate Plus loan is also a guaranteed federally regulated loan employing the same processing system as the Stafford loan.  Both loans should be applied for at the same time, if needed.

All visiting students should apply early through their home school and check with their financial aid office regarding processing of consortium agreements, loans, and check disbursements of funds.  Please liaison with our Financial Aid Office, telephone (305) 284-3115, fax (305) 284-5868, or email: finaid@law.miami.edu to ensure processing of your funds.  All registration fees, tuition and housing costs must be paid for by the time the program starts.

Liability

The University of Miami School of Law will not be responsible for personal injuries to students or for loss or damage to personal property within or in transit to the Mediterranean Experience summer program or any Summer Abroad Programs destination.

Health and Travel Insurance

Students must obtain insurance that provides reimbursement for health care abroad and should consult their home school or current insurance policy to determine health insurance eligibility.  In addition, students are strongly advised to consider purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation or interruption. STA Travel provides health insurance coverage  plans  while  abroad.  For  further information, please contact STAtravel.com or call their toll-free number at 1-800-781-4040 for a complete description of purchasing travel insurance coverage, medical protection/health insurance, travel accident protection, worldwide emergency assistance and travel deals and discounts.
Contiki Holidays can provide travel insurance for the portions of the summer abroad programs operated by Contiki Holidays.  Please email Contiki Holidays Custom Groups at groups@contiki.com or call their toll-free number at 1-866-652-4483 for pricing and details.

Disabled Students

The 2007 Mediterranean Experience is generally accessible to individuals with disabilities and special accommodations requests.  Special accommodations requests should be made at the same time of application.

For further information, please contact the University of Miami School of Law Disabilities Services at area code (305) 284-2599.

Passports and Visas

It is each participant’s responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for all Summer Abroad Programs destinations.  U.S. citizens only need a valid passport.

Students participating in the Italy Optional Trip are in addition responsible for obtaining all visas, permits and certificates required for Italy.  U.S. citizens only need a valid passport.

Break Period/ Italy Optional Trip

The 10-day break period, June 29-July 8, 2007, begins upon arrival into the city of Rome.  Students not participating on the Italy Optional Trip commencing in Rome, will be dropped off at the train station or the airport.

Housing and transportation do not include the break period.  Students should consider making travel arrangements for self-directed travel in advance of the break period.

So that students may visit the European continent in depth, no classes or field trips are scheduled during the break period.  Contiki Holidays, the world’s largest travel for 18-35 year olds, is offering the 2007 Mediterranean Experience students an optional ten-day guided tour of Italy as indicated on the schedule above.  Included in the Italy Optional Trip is transportation by air-conditioned coach, services of a Contiki Tour Manager throughout, Continental breakfasts daily and some evening meals.  Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class hotels at group prices are also being arranged by Contiki Holidays which is solely responsible for the conduct of the Italy Optional Trip.

In order to participate in the Italy Optional Trip students must make their own arrangements for air travel on Sunday, July 8, from Venice to Barcelona.  Please see Contiki Holidays Italy Optional Trip section of this brochure for further details.

For those who are interested in participating in the Italy Optional Trip arranged by Contiki Holidays, a $300 deposit is required at time of registration.

The Italy Optional Trip is priced so as to pass along to all participants all the savings realized from group travel.  The cost of the land portion of the Italy Optional Trip is $1,048 plus applicable air fare.  The foregoing price is also subject to adjustment, up or down, should there be a currency fluctuation.  In 2006, nearly 50 students enjoyed the Italy Optional Trip arranged by Contiki Holidays.

The Italy Optional Trip is subject to cancellation for insufficient enrollment.  In case of such cancellation, the $300 deposit will be refunded.  Enrollment in the Italy Option-al Trip is subject to space availability, which is limited in part by the size of the coach.  Enrollment is on a first come (deposit received), first serve basis.

Finally, it is the participant’s responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for the Italy Optional Trip.  U.S. citizens only need a valid passport.

Students in the 2007 Mediterranean Experience should book air travel as early as possible from Venice to Barcelona on Sunday, July 8, and make their own way upon arrival to the RESA residence halls for check-in.