Frequently Asked Questions
YES! Please see the information found on the State Department website to see information on getting a new passport or renew your passport.
The U.S. State Department estimates 6-8 weeks, but processing times can vary. Start the process early!
There is a new system that will go into effect in 2025 called ETIAS. This affects visa-exempt nationals. Germany and Netherlands will be requiring ETIAS.
In Osnabruck, we will be staying in short stay apartments located near the city center. The apartments are about a 10-minute walk or short bus ride from the train station and about a 15-minute walk from the university.
The Study Abroad Program application can be found on the Center for International Programs Study Abroad webpage. Search for the CNHP Germany trip to submit your application.
The first stage of the application is very simple and just tells us you are interested. You haven't committed to anything at that point. You will need to submit a $75 deposit to hold a seat for the trip. We will accept the first 20 students who submit deposits. There are also several forms that need to be completed so that your application will be considered 'Committed'. One of the early important forms is the Flight Request Form. The group cannot purchase flights until each student has submitted the Flight Request Form which gives us permission to purchase a plane ticket in your name.
Yes, but there is a big caveat. We need to have your exact name for the plane ticket that will be on your passport. If your full name is Johnathan Doe, but you go by Johny Doe...You can't put your nickname on the plane ticket. We will also need full names for train tickets.
No worries! Dr. Ward and Dr. Reynolds are seasoned travelers and will help you as we travel. While you may not be seated next to another USI student on the plane, we are generally close to each other, and you will be provided a seat map with the seat placement of the other students and faculty traveling with you.
We suggest that you bring motion sickness medication (like Motion Sickness Patches or Dramamine (Over the Counter) or prescription scopolamine patches). You can also bring acupressure bands that target pressure points that can help with motion sickness or invest in a Relief Band which uses electric pulses to control the motion sickness. See the CDC for more motion sick advice.
Yes, there are a variety of sources of financial aid available for the trip. For previous trips, students have received approximately $500-$750 in support. Amounts may vary year to year depending on the department budgets, but the CNHP works very hard to provide support to our students to help with this opportunity.
There are scholarship options available via the Center for International Programs website, but the options are tailored to semester and year long programs.
YES! This is very useful to keep in touch with family back home and to have access to your phone's map app while navigating around Europe. Students have also used additional travel apps to help with trains and bus transportation in Amsterdam and Berlin.