Study Abroad

The great capital city of London, with its population over eight million, boasts culturally rich museums, libraries, famous theaters, concert halls, and historic buildings. An exciting and easily maneuverable European city, London is a major political, financial and cultural center, graced with more parks and gardens than any other capital in the world.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM

• Open to students age 18 and older who have completed 12 or more units of college course work with a minimum 2.25 grade point average.
• Shared homestay accommodations in residential London neighborhood with daily breakfasts, or optional upgrade to shared apartment accommodations in central London.
• Subsidized program of extra-curricular events including day trips to nearby towns or cities, walking tours, theater, sports, and more.
• Take lower division courses that are UC/CSU transferable.

ACADEMICS:

This program is offered to enable students to study abroad while making normal progress toward their degree objectives and earning transferable units in courses taught by community college faculty and guest lecturers. This program is offered in cooperation with three other California community college districts, as well as the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), which arranges transportation, living accommodations, and a wide range of student and instructional support services. Students need not be currently enrolled at one of the sponsoring colleges in order to participate. Units earned in London will appear on transcripts issued by the participating colleges. 

PERSONAL:

Study abroad is a life-changing, transformative experience for many students, affecting their social and cultural awareness of the world. Below are several reasons to inspire you to study abroad (from the Institute of International Education):

1. Learn more about yourself and become more self-aware
2. Boost your self-confidence and independence
3. Learn more about your own country by going to another
4. Expand your worldview
5. Strengthen adaptability, communications, and team building skills
6. Enhance your career opportunities
7. Experience another culture firsthand and enhance your cross-cultural competency
8. Make new friends from around the world
9. Travel

Flyer
Brochure
Costs and Dates
Course Descriptions and Instructor Bios
Class Schedule Chart
Course Transferability Table

Program Costs and What Is Included

The base fee per person is $8,595 in a shared homestay, including weekday continental breakfasts, or $9,995 in a shared apartment (no meals included). This fee excludes airfare ($TBD), optional medical insurance upgrade ($65), optional personal effects coverage ($90), passport or visa fees if applicable, meals other than those listed above, personal expenses, textbooks, additional excursions, and California Community College tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

If you are eligible, financial aid may be used to help cover the cost of your study abroad program. It is strongly recommended you meet with our study abroad program Financial Aid Officer Stephanie Tran as soon as possible to discuss eligibility and potential aid amounts.

If you are receiving financial aid and would like to apply this towards the Fall 2020 London Study Abroad Program, you must complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA at and add the FAFSA school codes for all the community colleges involved in the consortium: American River College (001232), Diablo Valley College (001191), Santa Rosa Junior College (001287), and College of San Mateo (001181).

Scholarships

There are a limited number of $500-$1,000 scholarships that are available on a competitive basis to Los Rios students participating in the Fall 2020 London program. Application information is available in the Google Form that all students complete prior to their mandatory meeting with the program director.

Applications for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship are available to study abroad students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding. Award amounts vary, with a maximum of $5,000. The deadline for this year’s funding cycle is March 3, 2020.

For more information about these and other funding opportunities, visit Study Abroad Program Financial Aid.

AIFS Refund Policy and Dates

• June 17, 2020: Last day to request refund of $450 deposit (less $150 processing and non-refundable deposit fees).
• July 17, 2020: Total program fee is due. NO REFUND OF PAYMENTS after this date.

All notification of withdrawal must be made in writing via fax or certified mail to: Registrar, Customized, Faculty-Led Programs, AIFS Study Abroad, 1 High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905. Fax: (203) 399-5597. Postmark date or date of fax transmission is considered date of withdrawal. All withdrawal statements must be signed by the applicant.

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of four classes: Italian Life & Culture (ANTH 391), at least one BIOL class, and two other classes from the other offerings. Individual classes can fill, and students are assigned priority based on their application approval date.

Anne Marie Insull / Santa Rosa Junior College

ENGL 1B - Literature and Composition (prerequisite: passing English 1A or equivalent College Composition)

ENGL 3 - Introduction to Poetry (prerequisite: passing English 1A or equivalent College Composition)

ENGL 4A - Beginning Creative Writing

Rick Topinka / Los Rios Community College District

BIOL 300 - The Foundations of Biology

BIOL 301 - Evolution

BIOL 375 - Marine Ecology

David Laderman / San Mateo Community College District

FILM 130 - Film Directors

FILM 122 - Film History Focus: British 1960s Cinema

FILM 145 - Watching Quality Television

Ken Alexander / Contra Costa Community College District

ART 007 - Medieval and Renaissance Art History (350-1550 CE)

ART 008 - Early Modern Art History (1550 to 1920 CE)

HUMAN 4A - Shakespeare’s English Kings

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR LOS RIOS' STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Students wishing to apply for the Fall 2020 London Study Abroad Program must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.25
• Have completed at least 12 college units at the time of application
• Be at least 18 years of age when boarding the flight to London

Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Because classes have limited enrollment, students are encouraged to apply early in order to reserve a spot in the classes of their choice.

APPLY TO PROGRAM

Students must complete the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) online application and pay the requisite $450 deposit.

APPLICATION REVIEW APPOINTMENT

Once students have applied online through AIFS and paid their deposit, the Los Rios Study Abroad Office will email a Google Form link and schedule an eligibility review appointment with the program director, Dr. Kale Braden.

The following completed and signed documents will need to be brought to the meeting with Dr. Braden:

1. Los Rios Waiver of Risk Form 
2. Consortium Agreement Form 
3. Consent for Release of Student Records (FERPA)

In addition to the forms above, students must also bring:

1. Current passport (or photo ID if this is in process)
2. Unofficial college transcripts