1. Program Information

2. Program Photo Album

3. How to Apply

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding Loyola’s Chicago Center program should be directed to Dr. Patrick Boyle, Associate Provost and Assistant to the President for Global Affairs and Initiatives. 

The Chicago Center Program at Loyola University

- Where Chicago and the U.S. are the classroom

Program Description

Offers qualified undergraduate and graduate students an excellent introduction to American life & culture in a semester of study at one of the top universities in the United States. During the semester, students can take up to 5 undergraduate courses including a customized integrative seminar on Chicago and the U.S.. Besides on-campus classes and activities, there are also two excursion trips to two other major cities in the U.S. during the semester as part of the immersion experience.  

Intended Students

Undergraduate or graduate students (minimum requirement: sophomore standing, GPA 2.8, TOEFL 550 or TOEFL iBT 79).

Program Dates

Spring semester (Jan 15th – May 15th, 2012)

Fall semester (Aug 17th – Dec 18th, 2012)

Application Deadline

Fall semester (2012): April 30th, 2012

Tuition

$11,000 per student for Fall 2012 (payable in advance of beginning the semester)

Included in the program tuition:
Tuition for 5 courses for a semester; A customized integrative seminar course; On-campus double or triple occupancy housing; Partial meal plan; Orientation in Chicago; Two excursion trips: trips include transportation, hotels, several meals, and admissions fees; and Special gatherings and banquets.

NOT included in the program tuition:
Visa application fee; Airfare; Textbooks; Special class fees; Food; Vaccinations; Weekend field trips in the city; Personal expenses and souvenirs; Optional travel; and Health insurance (required). Estimate of these expenses:

Airfare: $1,800
Textbooks: $300
Food: $1,000
Insurance: $300
Weekend field trips in Chicago: $150
Special class fees: for example, Communicaton course - $15, French course - $50, Art course - $50 

Housing

Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus, Chicago, IL.  Space permitting, students will have the option of an American roommate if available.

Course Options

All Students in the program may take up to four Loyola undergraduate courses and will have the choice to take any courses if they meet the requirements. Besides that, all students will be placed in a seminar course on Chicago and the United States specifically designed for this program (UNIV 120). Some examples of Loyola undergraduate courses:  

Excursion Trips

There are 2 trips provided every semester. Examples of previous trips are listed below. (Trips are subject to change)

Spring:

“Capital of Markets”: New York from 3/5-11

Theatre, music, history, art, cultural diversity and so much more - New York City has it all! On this NYC trip, students will be captivated by the towering architecture and the hustle and bustle of this world-class city. They will also be able to enjoy opportunities of taking a stroll in Central Park, boarding a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, catching a Broadway show, taking in the twinkling lights from the Empire State Building or Times Square, having a visit to the UN headquarter, and discovering all the natural history, cultural heritages & modern art scene the world-famous New York museums have to offer.

“Culture, Film and American Dream”: Los Angeles from 5/9-15

The city of Los Angeles holds many distinctions such as a cultural mecca boasting more than 300 museums, or a paradise of good weather, but among them all LA is most famous as the entertainment capital of the world. On this trip, students will be able to have a first impression of the city by strolling down the Walk of Fame, visiting exciting theme parks, shopping in style on Rodeo drive, and maybe even have your first Hollywood celebrity encounter.

Fall: 

“Capitol for Democracy”: Washington, DC from 8/17-22

Washington, DC is a quintessential "living classroom", a destination that allows the international students to experience American government and politics in action at the U.S. Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court; to pay respect to the most famous American Presidents and the Americans who have fallen in war in this city of awesome monuments and memorials; to marvel at treasures in the Smithsonian's numerous museums on the National Mall, such as a moon rock, the Hope Diamond, or Dorothy's Ruby Red slippers; and to discover human fortunes like the Gutenberg Bible at the Library of Congress, the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in North America at the National Gallery of Art and historic documents like the U.S. Declaration of Independence at the National Archives.

“Capital of Markets”: New York from 10/7-12

Theatre, music, history, art, cultural diversity and so much more - New York City has it all! On this NYC trip, students will be captivated by the towering architecture and the hustle and bustle of this world-class city. They will also be able to enjoy opportunities of taking a stroll in Central Park, boarding a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, catching a Broadway show, taking in the twinkling lights from the Empire State Building or Times Square, having a visit to the UN headquarter, and discovering all the natural history, cultural heritages & modern art scene the world-famous New York museums have to offer.

Academic Certification

Students in this program will be given a Program Certificate upon successful completion of all courses for the semester.  A transcript, with grades will be provided upon request.

Student Life

The program will begin with an orientation that includes a tour of Loyola. Throughout the semester there will be various trips to Chicago neighborhoods, museums visits, opportunities to attend Chicago festivals (Jazz Fest, Blues Fest, etc), as well as to participate in Loyola student clubs. The program will also include social opportunities to interact with American students during the semester.

program photo album

Spring 2012 (click to enlarge)

   

Fall 2011 (click to enlarge)

   

To the whole album >>

How to apply

Once Accepted

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are my housing and roommate options? 
2. How much financial resource do I need to have to get visa?
3. What kind of visa do I get for this program?
4. If I want to stay and travel in the U.S. after the term, how long is my visa good for?
5. Is health insurance required? And what kind of health insurance should I have?
6. How should I submit my application?
7. Can I apply to this program without a TOEFL score?

   
1. What are my housing and roommate options? 

Students will have double or triple occupancy housing in a standard undergraduate dormitory. There are American students in the same building but not necessarily as roommates.  We cannot guarantee American roommates, but we will try to address all requests. 

   
2. How much financial resource do I need to have to get visa?

Students need to show that they have the amount that is charged for the program. For Fall 2012, the program fee is $11,000. However students will likely incur many additional personal expenses (such as flights, food, insurance, and class fees) and are thus required to show that they have at least $12,000 in financial resources for Spring 2012. Estimate of additional personal expenses:

Airfare: $1,800
Textbooks: $300
Food: $1,000
Insurance: $300
Special class fees: for example, Communicaton course - $15, French course - $50, Art course - $50  

   
3. What kind of visa do I get for this program?

We will be issuing the I-20 which allows students to obtain the F-1 non-degree student visa.

   
4. If I want to stay and travel in the U.S. after the term, how long is my visa good for?

Students have a 60 day grace period after their program. They can stay and travel in the U.S. during that time, but they cannot re-enter once they leave.

   
5. Is health insurance required? And what kind of health insurance should I have?

All students are required to have health insurance. Loyola offers insurance which is not covered in the cost of this program. If you already have health insurance that will cover your study in Chicago, you may waive out of Loyola's Student Health Insurance by providing proof of the other coverage. Once accepted into the program, students may choose to opt out of Loyola's insurance. If so, please follow the instructions: 

1. Log on to LOCUS (you will be provided with an account on LOCUS once admitted to the program);
2. Click on "Student Health Insurance" in the "Campus Finances" section;
3. Submit the electronic waiver by October 1st for Fall semester (February 28th for Spring semester) and the insurance charge will be waived from your account.

Students who fail to provide insurance will be charged $1,115 for Loyola insurance.

   
6. How should I submit my application?

Students need to fill out the application form (download), and provide with it additional documents indicated on the form. These can be sent to the coordinator in your local university or directly to Mary Theis (mtheis@luc.edu) in PDF format.

   
7. Can I apply to this program without a TOEFL score?

Students who are not able to provide TOEFL score can still apply to the program, but are required to take a English Language Placement test in Chicago at the orientation to decide what ESL (English as Second Language) courses he/she might have to enroll in before registering for any other Loyola academic courses.  

Any other questions regarding Loyola’s Chicago Center program should be directed to Dr. Patrick Boyle, Associate Provost and Assistant to the President for Global Affairs and Initiatives.