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02 | STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Message from the study abroad coordinatorGreetings to all students that venture abroad!

Let me personally invite you to study a semester or a year abroad with one of our exchange programs. I am

the international exchange coordinator from the University American College Skopje. We offer to you

numerous study abroad programs and I would assist and guide you through the process of going abroad.

Enrolling in a study abroad program is an experience you will never forget. Not only will you learn in a

classroom setting, but you will also learn in the world's classroom.

Immersing yourself in the culture of the US might be the greatest educational opportunity you will ever have.

Not only will you be living in the USA but studying at an international university, where you will meet many

international students who will teach you about their countries as well. Whether this is your first time abroad

or not you will experience life as you never have before. Living in the US will be an experience of a lifetime for

you, so pack your bags and get ready to enjoy.

Ms. Viktoria Gombar

International Program CoordinatorUniversity American College Skopje

IntroductionStudents that participate in the study abroad and student exchange programs will take advantage of student mobility and international experience.

Joint degrees, in both Undergraduate and Graduate programs, offered by Virginia International University & University American College Skopje, gives you an exclusive opportunity to experience the American educational model. Through limited exchange, or program completion students can experience the academic life at both universities.

Visit the campus of Virginia International University for one or more semesters and transfer your credit hours from UACS to continue your education in the USA.

UNIVERSITY AMERICAN COLLEGE SKOPJE · Treta makedonska brigada nr. 60 · Skopje · +389 2 2463156 · studyabroad@uacs.edu.mk · www.uacs.edu.mk | 03

Available programs for exchangeUndergraduate

· Business Administrationo Marketing o Management o Finance

· Computer Sciences o Management of Information technologyo Computer Networkso Software Engineering

· Teaching English Languageo Business Communication and Translation in Englisho Teaching English as a Second Language

Those students that decide to venture into the undergraduate exchange program may take one or more semesters during the academic year or attend the two summer semesters. Additional exchange may be in the form of completion of two years at UACS and the remainder at VIU. We highly advise you that degree completion at VIU is regulated by their accrediting agency, which recommends that students follow a set guideline for degree completion. Your study abroad counselor will provide you with guidance that should make the transition to VIU reliable.

Graduate · Master of Business Administration

o Concentration in Managemento Concentration in Marketingo Concentration in Corporate Finance and Bankingo Concentration in Management of Human Resources

· Teaching English Languageo Business Communication and Translation in Englisho Teaching English as a Second Language

Those students that decide to venture into the graduate exchange program may take one or more semesters during the academic year or the two summer semesters. Program completion and award of a degree is regulated by separate agreements between both universities. Students that transfer to VIU from UACS, must complete at most 49% of their courses at UACS and the remainder 51% should be taken at VIU. This corresponds to 5 courses at UACS and the remainder at VIU.Students that prefer to earn a dual degree may apply to complete program requirements to receive degrees from both universities.We highly advise you that degree completion at VIU is regulated by their accrediting agency (ACICS), which recommends that students follow a set guideline for degree completion. Your study abroad counselor will provide you with guidance that should make the transition to VIU reliable.

Applications for study abroad programs to VIU are processed by the Study Abroad Office at UACS in Skopje. Additional forms for transfer to VIU will be requested and should be completed with guidance from VIU counselors. Our nondiscrimination policy allows all students to apply for the study abroad programs. Students that apply to VIU, should be in good academic standing, which refers to average GPA of at least 2.67.The University policy for study abroad states: “UACS students may spend one or two semesters, in an approved study abroad program. Since this is a competitive program preference will be given to studentswith a 2.67 or higher GPA, regardless of their program of choice. Students in good academic standing are approved and recommended by their program coordinators or Deans. Students that are enrolled in any UACS program that are delivered in the English language will not be assessed additionally for knowledge of English language. For students that do not follow the programs in English language, may be asked to take an official TOEFL exam, or exams that assess English languagesproficiency. Applications of students that are placed on disciplinary and academic probation will not be considered during the probationary period.

Exchange Eligibility

04 | STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Prior to the arrival at VIU, study abroad applicant from UACS, shall be responsible for obtaining a visa andrelated travel documents necessary to pursue studies in the USA, such as satisfying host country studentvisa requirements and other formalities for study abroad students. Both universities will provide all necessary documentation for visa application. However, neither UACS, nor the host university VIU will undertake responsibility or be held responsible if the visa application is denied.Once your visa applications have been approved by VIU, they will request documents that pertain to financial obligation and securities. This will involve additional spending and it is not part of the tuition forprogram competition at VIU. Students that will be approved by Homeland Security agency of the US willreceive an I-20 visa application for issuance of a J-1 student visa in their home country. The duration of the student visa to the US is set according to the program of study.

Students who wish to transfer must apply with the Study Abroad Approval Form before the following dates:

Visa Requirements and Application Process

Application deadlines Fall semester Spring semester Summer semester Academic 2012/13 June 7, 2012 November 16, 2012 March 8, 2013 Academic 2013/14 June 5, 2013 November 15, 2013 March 7, 2014 Academic 2014/15 June 4, 2014 November 14, 2014 March 6, 2015

Students that apply to VIU should plan to find appropriate housing for the duration of the programs. The University does not offer any student on-campus housing option (dorms) nor does it provide with student housing. Their office for international students does provide assistance in finding suitable housing. The University does have a student canteen and provides students with warm meals during the day and evening classes. Prices for food and drinks are very reasonable and student will enjoy the environment surrounding the student canteen.

Accommodation

UNIVERSITY AMERICAN COLLEGE SKOPJE · Treta makedonska brigada nr. 60 · Skopje · +389 2 2463156 · studyabroad@uacs.edu.mk · www.uacs.edu.mk | 05

Student that complete the eligibility form and have been approved by the study abroad coordinator for thestudy abroad program may continue with the application process.Documents needed for the study abroad approval will be available to all in the office for international programs. You may download all necessary documents from the website designated for this program at www.uacs.edu.mk or www.studyabroad.uacs.edu.mk.Please consult with your international program coordinator, Ms. Viktoria Gombar for further details at studyabroad@uacs.edu.mk

Study Abroad Approval Form

Optional Practical Training (OPT)An International student with a nonimmigrant F1 visa faces choices upon the completion of his/her studies regarding future employment in the USA.Optional Practical Training is a program that permits students to gain practical knowledge through application of skills acquired during the course of their study at the university. Students that complete their programs, either undergraduate or graduate are under the F1 student status and have been in the US for more than 9 months, are eligible for this program. This practical training program, permits students to work legally in an organization for no more than 12 months, this employment may be extended another 17 months, (in total 29 months) on a student visa.This extension requires the student first to go to his/her school and request a new I-20 be issued with the OPT extension recommended and then to file an Application for Employment Authorization to extend the student's EAD. As long as the application is timely filed, the student's EAD will be considered automatically extended (for up to 180 days) until a decision is made on the application and the employee may continue to work while the application is pending.However, many International students do not want to return home at this stage and desire the opportunity to work in the United States. There are also possibilities of obtaining an H1B work visa and the possibility of further obtaining a Green Card and common situations that arise upon application for the H1B and the green card.

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§Affordable tuition and payment plans for UACS students§Various internship programs§Employment on campus§Legal employment opportunity in US (OPT)§Located in Fairfax, Virginia and just 18 miles from Washington DC

Reasons to Study Abroad at VIU

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Special tuition rates are available only to students from UACS. Tuition rates change and they are always publicized through VIU's website. The tuition is calculated according to the program, (undergraduate or graduate) and by the credit hour. Most courses have 3 or 4 credit hours. There is a flat tuition discount of 20% for UACS students, additional reduction may come from mode of payment and work on campus.

Tuition

Don't miss this opportunity and sign in now!For more details about this program contact Viktorija Gombar email: gombar@uacs.edu.mk

Square "Macedonia"

UniversityAmerican CollegeSkopje

Train station

LOCATION

UNIVERSITY AMERICAN COLLEGE SKOPJE · Treta makedonska brigada nr. 60 · Skopje · +389 2 2463156 · studyabroad@uacs.edu.mk · www.uacs.edu.mk |

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For more information visit or studyabroad@uacs.edu.mk

www.uacs.edu.mk www.studyabroad.uacs.edu.mk

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UNIVERSITY AMERICAN COLLEGE SKOPJE

Treta makedonska brigada nr. 601000 SkopjeMacedonia

Phone:(02) 2463156Fax:(02) 2463159