Information for Admitted Students
What should I bring? (What former students recommend as a must!)
What is the housing like?
Be sure to read the STUDENT HOUSING INFORMATION PACKET when you register for your summer Institute housing. On page 10 of this packet, you will find information about what your apartment WILL and WILL NOT include.
How much should I expect to pay?
Here is what current students estimate as their yearly costs:
What meals are included?
The program fee includes the cost of lunch Monday-Friday and two special dinners (a BBQ and a banquet). Students and faculty share these meals at the Faculty Club on campus. All other meals are on your own. Many students choose to bring cooking equipment and cook in their apartments. The apartments at Santa Ynez have full kitchens (refrigerator, oven, stove, sink, pantry). The small town adjacent to campus, Isla Vista, has lots of inexpensive food options, and there are grocery stores close by. If you would like to have family members join you for lunch or for the special dinners at the Faculty Club, you must purchase a meal ticket in advance from the Faculty Club.
Can I bring my family? What events can they join?
Families are common at the Institute. However, they are expected to speak only Spanish with you at all times during the six weeks. Their expenses are not covered by the Institute program fee. They pay for their own meals, the additional cost of housing in Santa Ynez apartments, and personal expenses. With the Institute Director(s) permission, students can bring their families to the optional dinner events that are scheduled with the Faculty Club (a BBQ and a banquet) after purchasing tickets for guests through the Faculty Club. In addition, families are welcome to attend the Institute excursions on the weekends with the permission of the Institute Director(s). And of course they can spend time with you in the evenings and weekends.
Can I explore off campus?
Students are certainly not confined to UCSB. You may go out to eat, go shopping, explore Santa Barbara or go where you like in your free time. But since it is an immersion program—and since you are expected to be speaking only Spanish for six weeks—it is good to keep much of your interaction with fellow Institute students and faculty. Students should stay in the Santa Barbara area for all weekends except for the "free weekend." This is to ensure that you take advantage of the Institute community and immersion benefits, as well as attend all required events.
Late arrival / early departure
Students should make every effort to be present for the full duration of the program, all six weeks. However, if a brief absence is unavoidable, you must notify the Institute Director(s) to obtain approval before the summer starts. Once approval is granted, notify your course instructors of the time you will be missing. You are still responsible for completing all your work. If your absence will affect the length of your stay in summer housing, be sure to notify the housing coordinator, Whitney Morris (wmorris@housing.ucsb.edu).
