FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the total cost of the ESL study-vacation?
2. How much spending money should I bring?
3. What should I pack for the ESL study-vacation?
4. Should I bring a laptop computer?
5. If I forget to bring something, can I buy it in Albany?
6. What do I need to do before I arrive?
7. Do I need medical insurance?
8. What is the weather like in Albany?
9. What is the typical schedule for the ESL study-vacation program?
10. What can I do on the weekends?
11. How can I contact you for more information?

1. What is the total cost of the ESL study-vacation?

For a one month study-vacation, you can expect the following expenses:

Tuition, fees & materials	$825
Homestay (breakfast & dinner included) + OvECS placement fee	$800
Lunches (30 meals x $10 average restaurant price for lunch & drink)	$300
Airport Shuttle (round trip)	$ 85
Visa: (0 if your country participates in the Visa Waiver program)	$130
Accident Insurance	$ 20
TOTAL, excluding airfare & spending money	$2160

2. How much spending money should I bring?

That depends on your spending habits. You may want some spending money for
souvenirs and snacks, or to travel on the weekends. It is not necessary to bring all
of your spending money in cash. Most stores also accept Mastercard & Visa.
Some stores also accept Discover cards and travelers' checks. There are also a
number of banks & ATMs in downtown Albany.

3. What should I pack for the ESL study-vacation?

YOU SHOULD BRING:

Comfortable walking shoes - essential!
Casual clothing for daily wear & class - jeans, shorts, and t-shirts
One dressy outfit if you plan to go out somewhere special
A sweater or sweatshirt for cool evenings
One lightweight jacket with hood, or a hat, in case of rain
A swimsuit if you plan to use the pool
Pajamas
Personal items and toiletries
Prescription medications with a written prescription from your doctor
Airplane ticket
Passport & visa
Spending money
Camera

YOU DO NOT NEED:

A suit

4. Should I bring a laptop computer?

A laptop is not necessary. Both the Oregon Language Center & the Public Library
have computers with free internet access for short-term use. However, if you use your
computer a lot, you may want to bring it along.

5. If I forget to bring something, can I buy it in Albany?

Almost anything you might need is readily available for purchase in Albany, including:
American groceries, toiletries, school supplies, international telephone cards,
inexpensive temporary cell phones ($50 for phone + 300 minutes of US calls),
postcards & stamps, clothing, shoes, & electronics.

6. What do I need to do before I arrive?

PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST

__ OLC Registration & Payment Arrangements
__ Homestay Arrangements & Address (necessary for US Customs at the Airport)
__ Obtain Passport & Visa (unless on Visa Waiver Program)
__ Obtain emergency medical insurance for overseas, if desired
__ Notify OLC of Airplane Flight Schedule
__ Print a copy of OLC Admission Letter for US Customs Agents at PDX Airport
__ Schedule Airport Transfer from PDX to Albany

7. Do I need medical insurance?

You will be responsible for any medical expenses you incur in the United States. Please be
advised that the cost of medical care in the United States is exhorbitant. You will be
required to purchase accident insurance (about $20 per month) for the length of your
participation at the Oregon Language Center. An insurance agent will register you for
accident insurance on the first day of class. You may also wish to purchase emergency
medical insurance for overseas before you leave your country.

8. What is the weather like in Albany?

Every year the weather patterns change a bit, so this is just a general guide.

January:	Cold (30-35F), with a mixture of clear days and cloudy or rainy days.
February:	Cold (35-40F) & damp; lots of rain & occasional snow.
March/April:	Cold (50s F) & rainy, but flowers are in bloom, so it can be quite pretty.
May/June:	More sun, but remains coolish (50-70s F); still many rainy days.
July-September:	Hot (80s-95F) & dry; a bit cooler at night (60-80s); minimal rain.
To mid-October:	Mostly clear; air is crisp; cool at night & a bit cool during the day (50-70F).
late Oct-Dec.	Rainy and cold (40s).

9. What is the typical schedule for the ESL study-vacation program?

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
8:30 AM	Conversation Skills	Conversation	Full day field trip	Conversation	Conversation
9:30	Applied Conversation (Ex.: Treasure Hunt)	American culture		American culture	Grammar
10:30	Reading Skills	Pronunciation Guided Listening		Pronunciation Guided Listening	Weekly review Writing
11:30	Vocabulary	Reading fiction		Reading Nonfiction	Writing
12:30	Lunch	Lunch		Lunch	Picnic lunch
1:00 - 3:30	Activity: American cooking	Tour: Oregon State Univ.		Tour: Carousel Museum	Activity: Outdoor games
7:30 PM	Optional: free Monteith Mondays music concert - July & August			Optional: free River Rhythms music concert - July & August	Optional: free Movies by Moonlight - July & August

10. What can I do on the weekends?

There are lots of fun things to do on the weekend. But before you make plans, please check with your host family.
Sometimes host families will arrange to take you to an out-of-town attraction. Here are some other ideas:

In Albany, within 1 mile of the OLC, you can:

Attend a summer festival.
Go golfing at the public golf course.
Attend a play at Albany Civic Theater.
Go fishing or swimming.
Attend a movie at Pix Theater.
Ride bikes, play tennis, or play frisbee golf in one of the parks.
Make a stained glass or fused glass piece at Glass Magic Images.
Practice Yoga at Sweet Yoga or fitness at the Recreation Center.
Paint ceramics at Sure Fire Ceramics.
Sing karaoke or go dancing.
Make jewelry at Spearit Beads.
Go shopping downtown
Catch a bus to the mall or bowling alley.
Rent a pedal boat on Waverly Lake or skateboard at the skateboard park.
Volunteer opportunities, and more!

Or, get out of town:

Take a Parks & Recreation day trip, such as hiking on Mt. Hood, or whitewater rafting. The trips are available through the City of Albany and must be reserved in advance. Check out their Activity Guide at http://www.cityofalbany.net/parks/.
Amtrak train station is just 6 blocks from the Oregon Language Center. Amtrak trains run between Vancouver, Canada and Los Angeles, California, stopping in Albany several times a day. Check schedules at http://www.amtrak.com.
Amtrak also has several intrastate buses, including one that travels to the quaint towns of Bend and Sisters in Eastern Oregon.
To spend a weekend at the beach, take the Valley Retriever bus to Newport. You will need to reserve a hotel room as the bus doesn't return the same day.

11. How can I contact you for more information?
Email us at info@oregonlanguagecenter.com or call 541-928-8975.