Semester Abroad Frequently Asked Questions

Academics

Computer Issues

Finance Questions

Insurance Questions

Postal Mail Questions

Travel and Visa Information

What to Bring and Not Bring

Miscellaneous Items

Academics


Q. How do I purchase my textbooks?

There are two options available:

  1. You can ask admissions (admissions@eunc.edu) for a list of the textbooks that you will need so that you can purchase them before you come. Please understand that these will add considerably to the weight of your luggage.
  2. You can buy your books from the EuNC bookshop at cost (cash only) when you register for classes.


[return to top]



Q. Can I see your academic calendar?

You can see the academic calendar for this and the next few years here.



[return to top]



Q. How many credits should I take?

In order to maintain full-time status for your financial aid, you will want to select courses that equal at a minimum 22 ECTS. You can see the conversion between ECTS and the American credit system at the following link: ECTS Information.



[return to top]



Q. Frequently Asked Questions about Course Offerings

You can find out more about terminology and course offering options for semester abroad students here.



[return to top]



Computer Issues


Q. What are the computer facilities at EuNC?

EuNC has a computer lab that is open 24x7 for Internet access, class work and printer usage. Each student is given an account and emailbox upon arrival. Lab computers can be used free of charge but printing is charged at € .10 per page. You will be asked to sign a user contract before using any computer on campus.

[return to top]



Q. Can I bring my own computer to EuNC?

Yes, and each dorm room has a network connection so you can access the local network. There is a monthly € 7,00 fee for this access and it is strongly suggested that you bring your own network cable. They can be purchased here, but are more expensive and it will delay you being able to get connected to the network until you get to the store. Please note, your computer must have an anti-virus program installed that is receiving automatic updates. Computers that do not have an anti-virus program will not be allowed on the network.

You can read a bit more here about the technology situation at EuNC and if you have any further questions you can email the I.T. Director at  for more details.



[return to top]



Finance Questions


Q. Can I use credit cards?

Europe is more of a cash society and so credit cards are not as readily accepted. American Express, Mastercard and Visa are the most widely used credit card in Europe. Discover card is RARELY accepted. EuNC does not accept credit cards.

[return to top]



Q. Can I use an ATM to get cash?

Yes. ATMs are common and are easier to use with your current ATM card instead of exchanging money at a bank (due to banking hours). Any withdrawals you make (whether in Euros or Swiss Francs) will be deducted in dollars from your American bank. Please check on your fees for withdrawing in foreign currency from your ATM network. (You may get a better exchange rate via ATM but then you need to add the cost of the fee.)

[return to top]



Q. What are the exchange rates between the dollar and Euro and Swiss Franc?

The currency rates continually fluctuate so they are best found by looking online at anyone of several websites. We recommend http://www.xe.com/.

[return to top]



Q. How do I pay my school bill?

Arrangements should be made with your home institution before coming to Europe so they will transfer your tuition and room and board into our school’s account or you should come with a check for full payment. You will need to have access to cash to pay for phone bills, textbooks, etc.

[return to top]



Q. What does my tuition cover?

The Semester Abroad Programme tuition covers the application fee, registration fee, and student activity fee. It does not include your textbooks which you must purchase separately.

[return to top]



Q. What are the food arrangements at EuNC?

Room and Board covers one meal: the main meal at lunch time from Monday to Friday during term time. You will need to budget for the breakfasts, suppers and weekend meals that you will prepare for yourself. Kitchen and storage facilities are provided for food and cooking. There are very few restaurants close to the school, and the restaurants that are around are generally not cheap. “Fast food"? is not much of an option in Büsingen.

[return to top]



Q. What should I budget for living costs?

You should plan on budgeting between € 80 and € 100 per month for food, toiletries, etc. Any travel or entertainment expenses would be in addition to that price.

[return to top]



Insurance Questions


Q. Do I need health insurance while at EuNC?

Yes. You need to check that your current health insurance will cover you for emergencies and visits to the doctor while you are here. You need to know how to process a claim while here. (EuNC cannot pay for your medical expenses and then be reimbursed later.)

[return to top]



Q. What insurance information or documentation do I need to bring?

You need to bring proof of coverage and the information about your policies. Usually an official insurance ID card will suffice.

[return to top]



Q. Does EuNC have insurance that I can buy while I'm there?

If you are not otherwise covered, you can join EuNC’s student health programme for €-,75 per day, if you will be staying up to 90 days. If your stay will be longer than 90 days, then the rate is €1,75 per day. Please note that this rate is not in addition to the €-,75 that was earlier quoted. It is a different rate in its entirety.



[return to top]



Q. Should I have travel insurance?

Travel insurance is optional and is the sole responsibility of the student.

[return to top]



Postal Mail Questions


Q. What mailing address should others use to send me mail at EuNC?

Since Büsingen is a German town that lies within Switzerland's borders, we have two addresses. However, you should only use the Swiss address which is given here. If the German one is used then the package or letter could experience customs difficulties.

European Nazarene College
Junkerstrasse 68
CH-8238 Büsingen
Switzerland

[return to top]



Q. Are there any special arrangements that should be made for packages that will be sent to me?

Gifts that will be returning with you to the U.S. need to be sent to you as “used" items.  Encourage your family to open packets, take off packaging, etc., and list them as used items/gifts on customs forms, or you may get charged import tax. This is all possible because the gift items will be leaving the country with you when you return to your home country.

[return to top]



Travel and Visa Information


Q. What airport should I fly to?

Zürich International Airport is our closest airport. If you fly into this airport, we will pick you up there when you arrive. If you fly into another airport, you need to catch a train to Schaffhausen train station (Switzerland) and we can also pick you up from there. We can also take you to the airport or train station for your departure. This offer is only valid for your arrival and final departure. All other travel needs are the responsibility of the student.

[return to top]



Q. When should I arrive?

You should try and arrive and depart as close to the beginning and end of term times as possible (see the Academic Calendar when it has been posted). The Room and Board costs you pay cover you for the term time you are here. If you wish to come earlier or stay later than the term times, then you will need to pay about €50/week. (Ask for nightly rates if needed.)

When you know your travel details you need to email them to the Registrar ( ). You need to tell us:

  1. time and date of arrival
  2. flight number
  3. airline company
  4. the last airport you take off from before arriving in Zurich.

Many times this information can be emailed directly from a website if you book online.



[return to top]



Q. Is there anything special I should know about getting my plane ticket to Europe?

IMPORTANT You MUST buy a round-trip ticket (even if it is open-ended).

[return to top]



Q. Do I have to purchase a round-trip plane ticket?

Yes. New immigration regulations in Europe stipulate that you must have a round-trip ticket purchased or the airline will not even let you on the flight.

[return to top]



Q. Can I buy a train pass when I arrive in Europe?

Eurail passes for the European train system are cheaper to buy outside of Europe, so you should purchase them before you come. Travel agencies and websites sell these and are easily located online.

[return to top]



Q. Do I need to get a visa before I come?

You will need your passport in order to travel to Europe and Americans are allowed in without a visa. However, to remain here, you will need to have a student visa and we will process one for you after you arrive. You need to bring 2 passport photos with you for this. Beginning in the Spring 2007 semester, these photos must meet the new international biometric identification standards. A photo shop will be able to meet this requirement but a photo machine will not. You can get these photos taken here after you arrive and 4 photos will cost around €10. The visa will cost you about another €50. You will need to surrender your passport for 4-6 weeks which means that you will not be able to travel outside Switzerland and Germany. You will need to surrender your passport on the first day of term and you should not plan any travel arrangements for the first 6 weeks.

[return to top]



What to Bring and Not Bring


Q. What Should I NOT Bring?

  • Phone cards
  • Towels, pillow and bed linen – the school will provide these for you.
  • Don’t go overboard with amount of clothes, shoes, and expensive items. Keep in mind you will be living with people from very varied cultural and economic backgrounds.
  • High voltage electrical items like blow dryers and curling irons.  They can use enough electrical current that they will blow out the transformer they are plugged into.  Instead, consider purchasing those items after you arrive here since they are inexpensive.  Lower voltage electrical items (like computers) are okay.


[return to top]



Q. What Should I Bring?

  • Dress clothes are required for some EuNC social events (e.g. choir, banquet, concerts, local church internships)
  • Good walking shoes / all weather shoes
  • Clothes for warm and cool/cold weather. Colorful clothes are fine.
  • Musical instruments (optional)
  • Network cable to connect your laptop to the wired network. Currently, wireless is not available for general use so you will need an ethernet cable to connect to the network.
  • Travel voltage adaptor (not recommended for any heating appliances, including blow dryers).
  • Consider that your favourite toiletries/foods may not be available here
  • Family photos, favourite CDs, movies, etc.
  • European adapter for 3 prong American electrical plugs. If you have an electrical device that already accepts European electrical voltages (like laptops) and it has a 3 prong plug, then you'll need to buy and bring a size adapter to accomodate those 3 plugs. Two prong size adapters can be found here but will be more expensive and so it would be best to bring that with you as well.


[return to top]



Miscellaneous Items


Q. What are the relationship possibilities there?

We do ask our exchange students to be really aware of this issue up front. Cross-cultural relationships are always tricky-especially in such a small, integrated community setting-but at EuNC we have a lot of reasons to ask you to not see this as another dating pool. We have students from a huge variety of cultures and settings, and many of them have responsibilities to their families and churches back home that go far beyond the typical connections experienced by our American exchange students.

Our bottom line might sound a bit strong, but we really expect you to not begin-or even appear to begin-dating relationships while you're a guest with us for the semester. History and a wide variety of complications compell us to encourage you to focus on the broader experience while you're here.

[return to top]