Academic Preparation and Culture Program
 As you look ahead to traveling to Oxford, Ohio, and beginning your studies at Miami University, we hope you will consider a new program that has been planned to help in your transition to life at an American university.
This new effort is called the Academic Preparation and Culture Program, a program that begins in early August before all other activities for new international students. It is designed to help introduce you to academic life and to Miami University and provide experience in everyday cultural and language practices of this country. The Program involves a three-credit-hour course, English 106, "Experience in American Culture and Language," that will be taught prior to the start of regular classes in August. The course will be taught with no additional tuition charge to you and the credit will count toward your graduation here at Miami.
The Academic Preparation and Culture Program (APCP) will be directed by a member of the Miami University staff who has taught English conversation and grammar classes in three countries on three different continents. The Program will provide practical, advanced language experiences and an excursion around the area to introduce you to American culture, help you understand what to expect in classes in an American university, and sharpen your English conversational and writing skills in preparation for your immersion into Miami.
We have put together the following question-and-answer list to address the majority of your questions about the Program, and we've attached a simple registration form that allows you to enroll in the Program.
 When does the Program start?
You will check in with the Office of International Education on Monday, August 3, 2009. The English 106 class (associated with APCP) will begin Tuesday, August 4. This date is a week before the other new international students will arrive for orientation, so the program will provide you with extra time to get adjusted to life at Miami University. The majority of the Program will be completed over the next two weeks, before the First-Year Institute begins for all incoming new freshmen on campus. Thus, the Program is specifically arranged so it will not conflict with your classes when the regular semester starts in late August.
When should I arrive in Oxford?
To take part in this program you must arrive on campus August 1 or August 2, 2009. Miami will provide transportation for Program participants, at a significant discount from usual costs, from the Cincinnati airport (CVG) to Oxford on August 1 and August 2.
What will I be doing during the Program?
You will be taking a three-credit-hour course, English 106, "Experience in American Culture and Language." The course will be devoted to English conversation and writing skills, American culture, what to expect from American professors in the classroom, how expectations for you in an American classroom might differ from those expectations in classes in your country, and what campus resources are available to you.
In addition to the time in class, you will be able to enjoy an excursion in the area that is planned to help you get familiar with American life and culture. This excursion will be held at the end of the first week of the Program. During parts of the second week you will be joining the other new international students in scheduled activities, such as academic advising and registering for other classes for the fall.
Will I have to pay tuition for the English 106 course?
No. The "Experience in American Culture and Language" course will be taught with no additional tuition charge to you. There will be a planned fee of $225 to cover materials, any out-of-class trips, activities, and instructional and other costs associated with the course.
The three hours of credit you earn will count not only toward your graduation here at Miami but also toward your fall semester enrollment.
What other costs will I be responsible for?
You will pay for housing and food during your extra one-week stay in Oxford. If you are living on campus during the coming year, you will stay in an on-campus residence hall during the Program and pay the early arrival fee (estimated $20 per day). You will be able to purchase a Miami meal plan at a special rate for the period before other classes start. If you eat three full meals per day, the dining hall cost would be about $25 daily. Thus, depending on your food needs and what day you arrive on campus, you would spend about $250 to $350 during the extra week on campus.
Where will I be staying during the Program?
You will be housed in an air-conditioned residence hall near the dining facilities that will be used during this period. All new international students who plan to live on campus during fall semester will be staying in this area for several days during orientation before beginning full classes.
If you have additional, specific questions please email international@muohio.edu.
To enroll all you have to do is fill out the registration form and email or fax it by July 1, 2009, to the Office of International Education at Miami.
Once again, congratulations upon your acceptance into Miami University. We at the Office of International Education look forward to seeing you on campus and assisting you with your life at Miami.
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