GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Is the Friends World degree program accredited?
   
   Yes. Friends World is one of several undergraduate programs at LIU. Students receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, which is awarded by Long Island University and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the State of New York.
   
   
2. What are the degrees of your faculty?
   
   Most Friends World faculty have their Ph.D. or other terminal degree.
   
   
3. What center can I begin my studies in?
   
   Starting in fall 2005, first year students will begin their studies in our center in San Jose, Costa Rica. In keeping with Friends World’s commitment to global education, global citizenship, and the global issues of our changing world, we are moving our first year program to this Latin America Center.
   
   If you have more than 24 college credits, you may begin your studies in any one of the Friends World centers in China, Costa Rica, India, Japan or Brooklyn. You might also consider studying in our Comparative Religion and Culture Program. Please see our Comparative Religion and Culture Program page for details on the locations of study.
   
   
4. Can I visit to hear more about options in the Friends World Program?
   
   You can visit our Admissions Office any time, Monday through Friday 9 – 5. Your visit will consist of a conversation with admission staff. Students who have submitted their application can schedule an interview. While most of our students and faculty are abroad, it might be possible to meet with someone who is visiting. There are also student Portfolios of Learning and a video you can review. Visiting the campus is not required for admission to Friends World Program.
   
   
5. Is there an application deadline?
   
   Friends World Program has rolling admission, which means that one can apply at almost any time. However, the Friends World students register for spaces in the centers and students are accepted to foreign centers, whether it is the First Year site in Costa Rica (for those with less than 24 credits), or another center, provided they have at least 24 credits. At times a waiting list is established and students are selected by seniority determined by number of credits. Students need to allow ample time to apply for and obtain visas where necessary.
   
   
6. How do you conduct your interviews?
   
   Most of our interviews are done via the telephone, but you can visit the campus and have an in-person interview with an admissions counselor.
   
   
7. What do I need to submit in order to complete my file for acceptance?
   
   We need your application, application fee, your essay, and official transcripts. We do not need your SAT or ACT scores. However, if you have them, send them to us. They can be helpful when the counselors evaluate you for merit scholarship. (Refer to #24)
   
   
8. How long will it take before I know I'm accepted?
   
   Once your application process is complete, we make our decisions very quickly. If you want to know right away, be sure to read the application very carefully and send all your records with the application. A complete file and an interview can result in immediate acceptance. This usually means you will receive a letter a week to ten days following your interview.
   
   

ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND LIFESTYLE ISSUES

1. Do you accept transfer credits? Do I have to start in the First Year Program if I transfer?
   
   Friends World accepts up to 64 transfer credits with a grade of “C” or better. If you have more than 24 college credits, you do not have to start in our First Year Program in Costa Rica. You can choose which center you would like to begin your studies in.
   
   
2. Will you accept a GED? What is the minimum acceptable score?
   
   We accept a GED. The acceptable score for entry into the Friends World Program is 250. You are eligible for scholarships with a GED if your scores are high enough to meet our criteria.
   
   
3. How long can I stay overseas?
   
   If starting as a freshman, you will go to Costa Rica for the First Year, two-semester Program. The requirement for the B.A. degree is that students study in two of the Friends World centers, spending two semesters in one center, and one semester in a second center. After that you can choose to study on one of the Long Island University campuses (C.W. Post or LIU-Brooklyn). You are only required to study in the states, at the Brooklyn Campus, for the last semester of your senior year. 
   
   
4. Can I earn Life Experience credits? How do I do that?
   
   Life experience credits can be earned for post high school experience. Once you matriculate as a Friends World student you can discuss the possibility of this credit with a faculty advisor. Naturally, you will want to keep very good records of the experiences you have that might result in life experience credits. You may obtain up to 22-life experience credits.
   
   
5. Do I have to know a foreign language before I go to one of your centers?
   
   No. You can begin your language studies in the program. If you already know a foreign language, you will be evaluated and placed in a language course according to your skill.
   
   
6. I have a learning disability. Can I get help?
   
   Some help is available. Applicants should tell their admissions counselor what their needs are in order to determine whether specific accommodation can be made. Friends World students do extensive reading and writing, but test-taking is not part of the requirements of Friends World courses. However, test taking or evaluation may be a component of language courses. The lack of test taking can be a relief to some students with disabilities. Due to the dialogic nature of the program, combined with advising, students find our approach helpful in applying themselves to their studies.
   
   
7. What is the typical enrollment ratio of males and females?
   
   There are more females than males in the program, approximately 65% female.
   
   
8. What is the diversity in the FW student population?
   
   While most of the students are from the United States, there are some students in the program from other countries. There are students from all races and socio-economic backgrounds. They have had different types of educational experiences and bring a diversity of thoughts and ideas to the Friends World communities.
   
   
9. What is the average age of a freshman?
   
   While many Friends World students come directly from high school, it is not unusual for students to begin their studies with FWP in their twenties. Some students do service/training programs like Americorps (where they can earn scholarship money for college), travel, earn money for college or take college courses elsewhere before coming to Friends World.
   
   
10. How long does it typically take for a student to graduate?
    
    While there are students who complete their degree program in four years, other students approach their studies in different ways. Some accelerate their program and complete their degree in less than four years. Some take longer. They may interrupt their studies to earn money or follow up on an interesting internship or take advantage of an opportunity that may further enhance their knowledge in an area of particular interest.
    
    
11. Are all of the centers run by Americans?
    
    No. In the case of most centers, academic and administrative personnel in the different centers are generally native to the country where the center is located. They are employees of the Friends World Program, Long Island University.
    
    
12. Can I work overseas when I am enrolled in Friends World?
    
    When overseas, working may not be possible. Like the US, most countries protect their labor market by restricting employment to local citizens or to foreigners only by permission. When studying, it is hard to qualify for that permission.
    
    
13. Can I take courses during the summer? Can I take courses during the summer in other schools?
    
    Friends World does not offer FW coursework for its matriculated students in the summer, but you can arrange to take courses either through Long Island University or other colleges. However, make sure you discuss your plans with your advisor so you are informed of the correct process to follow.
    

FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER MONEY QUESTIONS

1. Do you give scholarships?
   
   Friends World Program offers a number of scholarships. Students who have participated in verifiable study abroad programs will receive a scholarship ranging from $2000 to $4000 per year. Friends World offers merit scholarships to students who provide superior academic qualifications and a strong record of community service. The amount of merit scholarships ranges from $1000 to $8000. Friends World students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are considered for all federal and state, need-based financial aid programs (grants, work-study and loans), as well as merit scholarships. International students are considered for merit scholarships only.
   
   
2. How much merit scholarship can I get once I'm in the program?
   
   Scholarships are determined during the application process, before students enter the program. New Merit scholarships are not awarded once a student has matriculated.
   
   
3. What kind of financial assistance can I get if I am not a US citizen?
   
   Friends World offers merit scholarships to students, regardless of citizenship or visa status, who provide superior academic qualifications and a strong record of community service. International students are not eligible for US federal or state, need-based funds.
   
   
4. How much does this program cost? How do the costs change when studying abroad?
   
   Please refer to the current “estimated cost sheet” as tuition, fees, and other expenses can change from year to year. The cost sheet is updated yearly. Tuition and fees are the same from center to center. Room and board, personal expenses, field travel, international travel and books vary from center to center. Check with Admissions for current figures. Will the costs change from year to year?
   It is always possible that there will be a tuition and fees change, usually in the summer before the new semester begins. The estimated cost sheet is prepared using the vital information collected by centers. If those estimates reflect a significant change, we will pass that information on to students and their families. It is also possible that the currency in another country can fluctuate without warning and that may affect cost.
   
   
5. How do you help me pay for this program?
   
   Remember to file a timely Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which can be obtained from your current school, downloaded from the internet (www.fafsa.ed.gov), or obtained by writing to LIU-Brooklyn Office of Financial Aid. Though the information on the FAFSA does not effect the amount of merit scholarship you will be awarded, a FAFSA must be filed in order to receive your merit scholarships.  No aid will be awarded if the FAFSA is not submitted. PLEASE NOTE that the FAFSA must be submitted for processing after January 1 preceding the academic year you plan to enroll (for example, after January 1, 2006 for enrollment in September 2006 or January 2007.)  All continuing Friends World students must also file their FAFSA every year to be considered for aid and they must file their FAFSA by March 15.
   Friends World offers need-based grants that are awarded on your need, as determined by the FAFSA filing and your student aid report (SAR).
   
   
6. Can I take time off to earn money if needed?
   
   Yes. Students have done this in the past. Be sure that you make all proper arrangements with your faculty advisor, the Registrar and the Associate Dean of Friends World Program who is responsible for exit information.
   
   
7. Can money be wired?
   
   Students need to rely on Western Union for wiring money to centers. Refer to the vital information contained in specific center handbooks for more information.
   
   
8. How does money work in the centers abroad? How do I pay for things?
   
   Students are required to bring money for their personal, field travel and book expenses. The college bill for tuition and fees will also reflect charges for room and board. The students are then given their room and board money, in the form of stipend checks. These checks are sent to the centers during the semester. Students should arrive in their country of choice with enough money to cover the first rental charges in the event the stipend checks do not arrive on time. Additionally, second semester students can elect to have their room and board charges removed from their bill. They must inform Friends World of this choice. In that way, they will pay their own housing costs from the beginning of the semester. In some countries, hosts or dorms are paid directly. (Refer to center handbook.)
   

SAFETY

1. What do you do about safety? What if I'm far away from the center? How do we stay in touch?
   
   Safety is our number one priority. We do not hesitate to shift field trips, to move students or change programs, if we feel that the students are in a dangerous situation. In making these decisions, we follow the US State Department travel warnings, which are posted on the State Department website: http://travelstate.gov/warnings_list.html
   
   When students arrive in a center, their orientation deals with important safety information provided by Center Directors. Students are required to adhere to these instructions and protocols. Overseas students in field studies stay in touch through e-mail, phone calls, and mail. All students are required to fill out a form listing emergency contacts. Refer to the appropriate center handbook for additional information. Students are also responsible for traveling with their health/medical and emergency contact forms in case of emergency.
   
   
2. What does a center director do in case of medical emergency?
   
   All center directors have identified medical resources and facilities in the center’s region. Students carry their important medical papers with them in order to facilitate medical attention when needed. Center Directors and World Headquarters also retain copies of health/medical and emergency contact forms.
   
   
3. Does the center director know where the students are at all times?
   
   Students are expected to keep the center informed of their whereabouts during the semester.
   
   
4. When students are interning in other regional areas do they travel alone? Will other students be nearby?
   
   Students may choose, with their advisor’s approval, to go to other regions. Internship arrangements are made in accordance with center requirements and a learning plan. These arrangements include safety precautions. However, students can elect to stay near the center and continue their work. Students often plan to live together in other regions where they are conducting their studies and research.
   
   
5. What happens if I need to go home?
   
   A student’s first point of contact is their academic advisor and center director. Friends World headquarters (WHQ) will work with the center director to ensure that arrangements and details are handled efficiently.
   

THE OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE

1. Will someone meet me when I arrive in another country?
   
   In some centers, students are required to inform the Center staff of their arrival plans so that arrangements can be made to pick them up at the airport. In other centers, students are given specific instructions to follow for finding their way to a center.
   
   
2. How can my special eating habits (vegetarian, vegan) be accommodated abroad?
   
   Students need to take their eating habits into consideration when planning their studies. It is always a good idea to check with the other students who have studied in regional centers to discover how they maintained their special diets abroad. The Admissions staff will help you secure this information. Students living in homestays can indicate their preferences when arrangements are being made.
   
   
3. When I live overseas, will you find housing for me? (What do you mean, I have to find it myself?) Where will I live overseas?
   
   First Year Program students will have their housing arranged for them in Costa Rica. The China Center, located on Zheijang University, has international dorms. The Latin America Center places students in homestays. In the other centers, the registered students stay in temporary housing and are given housing information about choices in the vicinity for a more permanent arrangement for the semester. Each center has local resources that may include residential hotels, hostels, YMCA’s or apartments. Students network with others and draw on previous practices. They are always very resourceful in finding places to live.
   
   
4. How can my parents contact me when I am abroad?
   
   Once a student is enrolled in a center they receive a handbook for that center. The handbook contains vital information with regard to phone numbers, emergency contacts, addresses, e-mails. Make sure you give a copy of this information to your parents before you leave for that center. Also, many students have personal e-mail accounts that parents can use.
   

CAREER PLANNING

1. What kind of a job can I get with the degree I'm working toward?
   
   You will receive a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Long Island University, Friends World Program. This is comparable to any liberal arts degree that can be applied to many different areas of employment. Friends World students often choose to go on for an advanced degree or to enter directly into many fields of employment. They are teachers, social workers, journalists, psychologists, lawyers, alternative health care practitioners and artists and many have chosen to work in the field of international relations or politics. The entrepreneurs have started their own businesses. Students have gone to graduate school, law school, and some have gone to medical school.
   
   
2. Can I get into graduate school if I don't have a GPA? How?
   
   By all means, consider graduate school. 50% of Friends World graduates continue on to graduate school directly after graduation.  If a college needs to discuss your evaluations and academic work at Friends World, they can call the Friends World Dean’s office. Call the Admissions office if you want a list of graduate schools attended by Friends World students.  A number of graduates also join the Peace Corps. 
   
   
3. Does Friends World assist with job placement?
   
   Long Island University has Career Placement offices on all campuses. Friends World students are eligible to use this resource in person, on the web and by e-mail.