University of Southern Maine
Estimated number of Students who can attend: 1 or 2 depending upon current exchange numbers
Deadline:
Fall April 1
Summer October 1
General school website
http://www.usm.maine.edu
Exchange Website
http://www.usm.maine.edu/international
Primary Student and Administrative Contact:
Kimberly B. Sinclair
Associate Director of International Exchange
University of Southern Maine
Office of International Exchange
96 Falmouth Street, PO Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104
207 780-4959
207 780-4933 – fax
ksinc@usm.maine.edu
Application Materials:
Letter of Intent
Student Exchange Application Form
Letter of Recommendation
Transcript
Health Insurance Statement
Financial Statement
(housing form will be provided after student has been accepted on exchange)
Academic Calendar:
16 weeks per Semester
Fall Semester: September 2, 2008 – December 19. 2008
Spring Semester: January 20, 2009 – May 15, 2009
Major programs of study
Ceramics, Digital Art, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking & Sculpture
General order of application process:
1. Students must mail application materials. Mail materials to:
Kimberly B. Sinclair
Office of International Programs
96 Falmouth Street, PO Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300 USA
2. Undergraduate admissions office generates an acceptance letter on their behalf.
3. IES generates a DS-2019 and Fedexes it to students.
4. Students must submit an application to their nearest US Consulate
to obtain a J-1 exchange student visa. US Consulates usually have clear
instructions as to how to apply. Students will also need a face-to-face interview
with a consular official, according to new US government regulations, in order
to obtain a visa.
5. After students have confirmed arrival date and opening of halls of residence, they can purchase an international air ticket.
Typical curriculum
Students may choose courses in conjunction with their academic advisor at FHSH
and Jan Piribeck from the USM Art Department.
Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Additional homework
will also need to be completed outside of the classroom.Students have studio
access for the courses they are enrolled in. Studio hours are typically 8 AM
to Midnight.
How and when students register for courses:
Students register through the International Programs Office prior to their
arrival (typically in April or May). Changes can be made upon their arrival
or during the first week of classes using the add/drop system.
Mandatory fees (administrative, application, studio, health, etc.) and the amounts:
* Fee amounts will be available in mid-July. Most fees are included in the exchange, but art course fees are not considered part of the exchange and can range from $25 to $130 per course.
Housing options available:
Most exchange students live on campus. The recommended residence hall is Philippi which is located on the USM Gorham Campus very close to the art department. Philippi Hall also houses USM’s International Learning Community matching international students with roommates who may have studied abroad, are interested in international travel or are just interested in having an international room-mate. Specific activities are planned for members of the International Learning Community.
Please note: Portland Hall – our only Portland based dorm – will close in August of 2008. All exchange students who wish to live on campus will need to live on the Gorham campus.
Students who wish to live off campus will be responsible for locating their own housing.
Contact person and number and/or email address for housing information:
Kimberly B. Sinclair c/o the International Programs Office
Estimated room and board expense for a semester:
Room and Board amounts will be available in mid-July
To see 2007-08 room rates visit: http://usm.maine.edu/reslife/RoomandBoard.htm
Total estimated budget for one semester exchange:
To see the 2007-08 budget visit: http://www.usm.maine.edu/international/pdf/EXMONEY.pdf
Brief description of the area and interests.
Maine is a beautiful location!!! USM has campuses in both Portland and Gorham
and offers students the experience of a metropolitan city and the charm of a
New England Village. Portland, Maine’s largest city is considered the
cultural capital and was ranked as one of the most livable cities by Outside
Magazine. The city of Gorham has lots of rural charm and the USM Gorham campus
is well geared to providing USM students a positive experience with lots of
student based activities. There are lots of activities for outdoor enthusiasts
and numerous beaches to choose from!
Portland is just 2 hours from Boston and it’s easy to get a bus to New York. Canada is approximately 6 to 8 hours away but students must check with the International Office regarding visa needs and restrictions.
Additional Information:
For students entering in the fall our office facilitates a New International Student Orientation. This year it will begin on August 27th and continue through Sunday, August 31st. We will work with students to help them get adjusted to Maine and USM, help them finalize any academic details prior to the start of school and address any other concerns or needs that they may have. We will also include some activities to introduce them to the surrounding community.
Maine Convention and Visitors Bureau: http://www.visitportland.com/
Maine Tourism Office: http://www.visitmaine.com/
Local Weather (Zip Codes for Gorham 04038 & for Portland 04103) http://www.weather.com/weather/my
Additional Contacts
Administrative Contact:
Jan Piribeck
Professor of Art
Art Dept.
University of Southern Maine
Academy Bldg 205
207 774-3065
207 780-5759 fax
jpiribec@rr.maine.com
Domenica T. Cipollone
University of Southern Maine
Office of International Exchange
207 780-4959
domenica@usm.maine.edu
Additional Contact::
Juris Urban
Professor of Art
Art Dept.
University of Southern Maine
Academy Bldg 205
207 774-9184
207 780-6749 fax
ubart@usm.maine.edu