Letter to Parents of Participants
Dear Parent or Guardian,
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Benedictine
University, we write to congratulate you on your son's or daughter's
participation this summer in the Middle East Partnership Initiative's
Institute for Student Leaders at Benedictine University. Their
selection for this program from among many outstanding candidates
attests to your student's academic achievements and his or her
potential for leadership in the future.
This letter is intended to share with you how the
Institute program will provide for your student's comfort, safety and
happiness. Many specific questions you have may be answered as you look
over the various pages of this program's website at
www.ben.edu/programs/MEPI. Yet, let us share with you the arrangements
Benedictine has established for the following parts of the
program.
Our Team: We have put
together an effective team to implement and administer the program.
The academic component of the program will be directed by Political
Science Professor Tammy Sarver, and the leadership component will
be directed by Marie Di Virgilio, Ph.D. The academic and leadership
session will also include faculty from across the university and
numerous guest speakers and participants who will add their expertise
to the subject matter. Carol Swett, Director of International
Programs, and Dr. Maria de la Camera, dean of the College of Liberal
Arts will be the administrators of the Institute and will be coordinating
the study tours. In addition, you son or daughter will get to
know a team of students from Benedictine who will be their "Mepi
Mentors" on local activities and trips.
Travel to the United States:
The State Department will be arranging your son or daughter's flight to
and from the United States, and each student participant will be
getting communications from them with regard to flight
information.
Meeting them upon arrival:
Your student will arrive in Washington D.C. on June 30. We will have
our staff at Dulles International Airport to greet the participants
and, if necessary, assist them with any problems in processing through
Customs and Immigration. From Dulles airport, we shall transport them
to their lodgings for their stay in Washington D.C. We will also
accompany them from Washington D.C. to the Chicago area, and on all the
study trips.
Academic components: The
program combines specific training to build their leadership skills,
academic learning about the United States, community interaction and
service projects to better understand the importance of volunteerism,
and, of course, many fun cultural activities and events. Your son or
daughter will be busy, but our schedule also allows plenty of personal
and study time.
Housing on campus and during study trips:
All the participants will be staying in either two-bedroom or
four-bedroom apartments at our University's Founders Woods Apartment
complex. Each apartment has its own kitchen and bathroom. Students will
also be provided with linens, towels and pillows and weekly cleaning
services. Your student will share that apartment with other
participants of the same gender, and each apartment is completely
separate from the others. During study trips the students will stay in
hotel rooms, again separated by gender.
The meals on campus and the community: Benedictine
University has one main dining hall and all students shall be able to
either choose food a la carte or select from specially prepared Halal
menus. All university meals are paid for by the program, and on many
occasions your student may also use his or her cash allowance to join
our staff and students at local restaurants.
Staff personnel to deal with potential problems:
We have a trained program team of faculty, administrators, resident
advisors and student "cultural partners" to assist your students with
any concerns or problems that may develop.
Safety on campus and who will be contacted:
Benedictine University's Public Safety Office will make every effort to
help maintain a safe and comfortable environment for your student to
study and interact with others. Should any student need assistance,
they will respond and contact administrative director or another member
of Benedictine Institute staff.
Medical insurance and care:
The State Department has provided your student with medical insurance
for the duration of the program. We have also made arrangements with
several local doctors to accept this insurance program. In case of a
more serious illness or emergency, program staff will either transport
them to the local hospital or contact Lisle Paramedic services to
provide emergency services.
Religious accommodations at a Catholic university:
Benedictine is one of the most diverse small universities in the
Midwestern United States and has a successful history of accommodating
and welcoming students from different religious backgrounds. Muslim
students have access to dedicated prayer space on campus, and we
provide transportation on Fridays to a nearby Mosque. Christian
students are invited to Sunday services at St. Procopius Abbey across
the street from campus, or to other local services.
Financial issues:
The State Department will pay all the costs of the program, airfare,
housing, admission prices for activities and provide a daily cash
allowance for off campus meals and necessary purchases. Should it be
necessary, we can also arranged with a Chicago area bank to provide
free temporary, accounts to deposit funds for ATM withdrawals.
Relatives visiting campus:
Some of you may have relatives in the Chicago area. Please be aware
that the program will not allow your student to leave campus to visit
them. Arrangements may be made for relatives to visit the student at
the campus at a specifically designated day and time.
We are excited about the opportunity to have your son or
daughter stay with us during the six weeks of this program. They will
have an academically challenging and personally enriching experience.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me
by email or phone below.
Carol Swett
Director, International Programs
Benedictine University
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