OVERVIEW

A full week in Berlin, Germany will be the centre for studying about Art, History, Theatre, German Culture and Civilization, Intercultural Community Building and or English Writing.

Choose between these 5 classes, bring your friends and experience the pleasure of learning as you travel in Europe.... you'll learn much more than you can imagine!

Family and/or friends of Penn State students, faculty and employees are welcome on our trips!

ITINERARY

AIR SCHEDULE

The exact timing of these flights is subject to change and will be reconfirmed.
Check-in at the airport should be 3 hours prior to departure time.

HOTEL ADDRESSES

A and O Mitte
Koepenicker Strasse 127-129
Berlin D-10179

PRICE

$1,595.00

including $360.00 fuel surcharge and taxes.

All participants are required to have a valid passport and provide proof of medical insurance.

This price includes:

• Round trip flights from Philadelphia to Berlin with Air France, via Paris.
• Airport taxes @ approximately $130.00 subject to change at time of ticketing.
• "Q" tax for fuel surcharge @ $230.00 as of July, 2008 subject to change at time of ticketing.
• 6 nights hotel accommodation at 2 star Hotel A & O Mitte in a double room.
• Hot buffet breakfast daily.
• Transfers from Berlin airport to your hotel.
• Tuition up to 6 credits for full time students at any Penn State campus.
• Supervision by Penn State faculty members.

This price does not include:

• Single room supplement +$255.00.
• Cost of personal items such as phone, drinks, laundry, etc.
• Meals other than breakfast.
• Passport & VISA FEE

Additional costs:

Visitors fee for all participants who do not have a Penn State ID - $50.00

This sum, which includes compulsory Penn State Insurance, is required from any participant who does not have a student, faculty, or staff I.D card issued by Penn State University. The funds are applied toward grants to enable worthy Penn State Brandywine students to join our trips when they would otherwise be unable to do so for financial reasons.


Visitors and other passengers must take the compulsory HTH travel insurance. A choice of various plans is available with HTH.

Compulsory Penn State insurance for visitors and students.

IMPORTANT! Indicate your nationality to Celestial Voyagers on first registering for the trip. Every American citizen needs a passport valid until November 17, 2009. A green card is compulsory for returning to the US. Some non-U.S. citizens may also require a Schengen visa in addition to a passport. Check with the German consulate office.

PAYMENT (TERMS & CONDITIONS)

Deposit: $300.00 by check only to be received prior to February 7, 2009.

Balance due no later than March 11, 2009

$100.00 or more late fee for payment received after March 12, 2009.

Course registration will be closed after April 11, 2009. Travel registration after March 12 is based on availability and will most probably require a late fee and an air fare supplement.

All check payments to be made out to Celestial Voyagers escrow account. Your deposit secures your reservation with the airline, the hotel and other suppliers. It must be sent with a copy of your passport, the registration form and the optional travel insurance premium, should you choose to purchase it.

Credit card payments:
We accept Visa and Master Card. Since Merchant fees are not included in the package price, a 3.5% supplement applies if you wish to pay by credit card.

Cancellation:
All cancellations must be received in writing. The following penalties will apply:

• $150.00 processing fee upon receipt of a written cancellation.
• $150.00 additional fee for cancellation received between February 7 and March 11
• Penalty of 50% of the cost of the trip if written cancellation is received between March 12 and April 9, 2009.
• Penalty of 100% of the cost of the trip if written cancellation is received after April 9, 2009 and in case of a no-show.

These policies will be strictly applied.
In case of cancellation due to medical emergency, penalties will be covered under ACCESS AMERICA travel insurance which may be purchased at an additional cost. Pre-existing conditions are covered only if insurance has been submitted and paid for with your deposit.

REGISTRATION

Registration online: (click here)
Register online, then mail your deposit immediately with copy of your passport, if available, along with the optional travel insurance amount to:

Celestial Voyagers
79 Watermill Lane
Great Neck, NY 11021

Registration by mail:
Brochures are available at Penn State Brandywine Campus in the following locations: Library, Lounge and Room 129 of the Vairo Building
Registrars Office, Main Building.

Or contact:

Gail Wray, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 610 892 1472
Email: gbw1@psu.edu

COURSE REGISTRATION

Credit Courses:

A number of Penn State 3-credit courses, not requiring regular attendance at Brandywine campus, are offered in combination with all Brandywine International Studies trips. Approved full time students at all Penn State Campuses are eligible to take two courses (6 credits) at no additional cost. To establish eligibility at any Penn State campus, the student should obtain his/her adviser's permission to register then receive the confirmation of approval from the Brandywine DAA and from the teacher of the course. The courses may also be taken by non-Penn State students for transfer-credit, but in those cases the applicable tuition fee will apply.

Trip Registration versus Course Registration:

All travel arrangements are made through Celestial Voyagers, a fully insured tour operator. Do not contact Penn State professors or employees regarding flights, hotels or travel information. They may not have the very latest information.

Course Registration:

To register students MUST contact the Brandywine Campus Registrar:
Mrs. Joanna McGowan, Ph: 610 892 1401 or jxm1019@psu.edu

Do not attempt to register for or find information about these courses by Touch-Tone. Classes are NOT full, but you will be told they are. You MUST contact the registrar.

Course Description:

ENGL 202B (GWS) Writing in the Humanities
Dr. Adam Sorkin (ajs2@psu.edu)

This is the second part of Penn State's two-part required writing sequence. You must have fourth semester standing or higher. English 202B is a course in developing skills in critical thinking, analysis, organization, clear, effective, purposeful writing, argumentation (the presentation of conclusions) based on evidence, and interpretation. To clarify, that last term does not refer to specific works of art but the museum-goer's experience, taking into account the hypothesis of Carol Duncan (see Texts, below) that museum going is a ritual experience, as well as such matters as her discussion of art museums' art-historical organization, the appearance, or lack of, bias in matters of gender and privileging the achievements of Western culture, and museums or museum sections or wings as donor mausoleums. It is expected that students will have mastered the skills of mature, thoughtful writing, relatively free of errors, that should be attained in English 15 or 30, or the equivalent first-year writing course.

GER 100 (GH:GI) German Culture and Civilization
Dr. Alita Kelley (kak7@psu.edu)

THE PURPOSE of the course is to broaden the student's horizons so that s/he will be able to make the most of the trip and in the case of students travelling abroad for the first time, to dispel apprehension. While knowledge of the foreign language is not required, the course will include instructions on concepts of politeness and courtesy, and basic expressions needed to "get along" in a country where the language is not one's own.

HD FS 287W (GS:GI) Intercultural Community Bldg.
Dr. Michael Madden (mem28@psu.edu)

This course focuses on cross-cultural comparison and contrasting. It is made up of two parts: Proposal and Portfolio. Your Proposal must be completed, submitted and approved by the instructor before the trip. The Portfolio completion date will be determined by instructor. The intention of this course is involve you in a cross-cultural experience. You will research and construct a model for the contrasting of social issues utilizing your background in HDFS. A support group will be developed through out this program.

IN ART 1/ART HIST 100 (GA) The Arts
Dr. Paul Greene (pdg4@psu.edu)

This course is not designed to test your artistic background, nor your skills in music-making, drawing, or acting. Instead, it is an introduction to the arts that targets your ability to consider and verbally discuss what meanings and functions an artwork takes on in our lives, and how it relates to other artworks in aesthetic traditions in Germany. The course will not tell you what is "good" or "bad" art, but instead invite you to decide this for yourself, in relation to artistic traditions that have been cultivated over the centuries in Germany.

THEA 105/100 (GA) Introduction to Theatre
James Symmons (jxs421@psu.edu)

Theatre art is an expression of creativity and diversity. It is living art, forever changing and responding to the world around it. Theatre productions are small episodes of life in the world in which we live. It is of our own choosing and experience. We will study the human diversity, cultural, social, political, musical and the classical nature of selected plays in Berlin. Films will be incorporated to enhance understanding, theme, styles, customs, theories and characterizations.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

TRAVEL INSURANCE (PENN STATE STUDENTS ONLY)

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Pre Departure Meeting
Airline tickets and travel documents will be delivered in person at 12:30 pm, Friday April 24, 2009 in Room 215 Main Building, Penn State Brandywine Campus, 25 Yearsley Mill Road, Lima (Media), PA - off Route 352. Tel: 610 892 1415

Attendance at this pre-departure meeting is strongly advised. Questions will be answered to put your mind at rest. If you cannot attend or send a reliable person to pick up your tickets, contact your professor so alternative arrangements can be made.

Special Delivery of Documents
If you cannot attend the above meeting nor have the documents collected, Celestial Voyagers can send them via special delivery, FEDEX or US Postal Service.

If your documents have to be sent individually, you must submit your request for this service in writing and supply your address. Somebody will need to be home to sign to receive the package and a $20.00 administration, handling and mailing fee applies.

CONTACTS

For more details on the program or for additional information, please contact:

Dr. Alita Kelley
Phone: 610 918 3793 or 484 574 1397
Email: kak7@psu.edu

Dr. Paul Greene
Phone: 610 892 1474
Email: pdg4@psu.edu


All travel arrangements are made by:
Celestial Voyagers, Inc..
Francoise, Leigh or Susy
79 Watermill Lane
Great Neck, NY 11021

Email: susy@celestialvoyagers.com
Phone: 516 829 1525
Fax: 516 829 0703