Atlanta Summer Program, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
July 5 - 28, 2012
2011 ASP Rewind (34 MB)
Program Information and Application
- Obtain your passport before March 1. If you are
interested in participating ASP in any given year, you should secure
your passport before March 1. If you already have a passport,
check the expiration date of the passport - your passport must
have a validity date that is at least six months beyond your
intended period of stay in the United States.
- Program Description (updated on 2/16/2012)
- On-Site Orientation Slides
- Contacts
- SJTU students, please contact SJTU Registrar's Office, Administration Building Room B112, Ms. Cong. Tel: 3420-6405, ext. 160.
- TJU students, please contact TJU Registrar's Office, Administration Building Room 204, Mr. Shan. Tel: 2740-6413.
- Application deadline:
Friday December 23, 2011 at SJTU/TJU
Registrar's Office. See contact information above.
- Acceptance: Students will be notified of acceptance by
Friday December 30, 2011 by SJTU/TJU Registrar's Office.
- Deposit due: 2,000 RMB deposit is due on Wednesday
January 4, 2012 for accepted students. SJTU/TJU will collect this first
payment (deposit) on behalf of GT.
- Instructions for preparing the bank
letter: Word version,
PDF version
- Course registration form for accepted students only.
This is an electronically fill-able form - please type in information
except for the signature part. Sign and date the form. For signature,
you can sign in Chinese, English, or whatever form that you will stick
with as your legal signature in the US. For home address,
enter your permanent home address (not your university dorm address).
SJTU Students
- Cover letter and instructions to SJTU students
- Course registration form for SJTU students (interactive .pdf form)
- Sample completed form for SJTU students
- For fax number, SJTU students please enter +86 (21) 3420-6406.
- Cover letter and instructions to TJU students
- Course registration form for TJU students (interactive .pdf form)
- Sample completed form for TJU students
- For fax number, TJU students please enter +86 (22) 2740-1819.
- Submmit required ASP documents by 5pm on Monday
March 5, 2012
to your home institution's Registrar Office:
- Completed course registration form
- Copy of passport information page
- Original bank letter (in English) showing a minimum balance of $3,400 or RMB equivalent - this is the minimum amount needed to issue you the I-20 form by Georgia Tech. The US Consulate may expect a higher amount in order to issue you the visa. Although the US Consulate may recognize other forms of certificates of assets, Georgia Tech only accepts original bank letter or statement to meet the I-20 requirement. Instructions for preparing the bank letter.
- Balance of tuition and fees is now due: 16,500 RMB - 2,000 RMB = 14,500 RMB. SJTU/TJU will collect on behalf of GT, the first payment (deposit) of 2,000 RMB and the second payment of 14,500 RMB for a total of 16,500 RMB.
Financial Information
- Access to Funds while in the USA
- Make sure that you have some USD cash on hand upon arrival. It is not easy to exchange RMB to USD when you are in the USA and the exchange rate may not be as good as at the banks in China.
- Using Chinese debit cards or credit cards to make purchases in the USA. It is best to have more than one card in case the card that is drawn from the Chinese bank is not widely acceptable in the USA. You may also have to show your ID (passport).
- You may want to apply for a dual-currency (RMB & USD) Visa or Mastercard in China
- Sales tax. In the State of Georgia, sales tax is 3% for groceries and 7% for other items in most counties. Since there is not a Value added tax (VAT) or goods and services tax (GST) in the USA, don't expect to receive a tax-refund when you leave the USA. According to this article, Louisiana is the only state in the USA with tax-free shopping for international visitors. Duty-free shopping is available at the Atlanta Airport International Concourse E. If you buy perfume, cream, lotion etc at the duty-free shop, please inquire whether you will be allowed to bring them onto the plane or through security at any transit airport since there are strict limits on liquid, gel and lotions that are brought onboard due to security regulations.
- Tipping in restaurants with table service is expected.
It is customary to tip 15%-18% of the bill. Tip
20% if the service is outstanding, especially prompt or friendly,
or the server fulfilled many special requests.
Campus Information
- Campus Map
- Lodging at
Howell Residence Hall. Submit a
maintenance request if you are having problems with your dorm
room.
Housing office hours are M-F, 8am-5pm, Tel (404) 894-2469. For emergency services after hours, please call Emergency Duty Number (404) 428-6752.
Laundry is in nearby Brittain Hall. - Supermarket: Publix (The Plaza Midtown store) is at 950 W Peachtree St NW. Tel: (404) 253-3544.
- Target Store at Atlantic Station: 375 18th St. Tel. (678) 954-4265. MARTA Bus Route #113 passes by North Avenue and Atlantic Station.
- Campus Recreation Center (CRC): This 300,659 sqft state of the art facility is a unique expansion of the existing swimming and diving venue built for the 1996 Olympic Games! The CRC's five floors contain a competition swimming pool, leisure pool with 184' water slide, diving well, sauna, studio workout rooms, raquetball & squash courts, basketball & volleyball courts and climbing wall. The cost is $24 for the ASP students for the duration of their stay (this is a great bargain since normally the cost is $5 per entry). For those that want to use the CRC, the membership fee is the students' responsibility. Acceptable form of payment: credit card or buzz card fund. No cash. Bring your buzzcard and payment to the CRC Member Services desk, and identify yourself as from the "Atlanta Summer Program Group" or "ASP Group". The clerk will check you off the ASP roster, collect payment from you, and have you sign a liability waiver form. You will then be entitled to unlimited access to the CRC during your stay. Note that it is important to identify yourself as an ASP student since our arrangements with the CRC is unique.
- GT Dining
- Campus Tour. Learn interesting and important facts about
Georgia Tech through a campus tour. Visit the Tech Tower,
Gilbert Memorial Library, Bobby Dodd Football Stadium, etc.
Tours are held Monday through Friday,
except holidays. This is a walking tour led by a current
Georgia Tech student. Comfortable shoes are advised. In case of inclement
weather, it is best to be prepared with rain gear as the tour goes on
rain or shine. Tours begin and end in the
Bill Moore Student Success Center.
You can sign up for the tour as an individual or with friends.
First,
register online for the campus tour (choose either Freshman or
Transfer for the "Student Type" in order to proceed with registration).
Then, show up at your confirmed time slot at the
Bill Moore Student Success Center to start the tour.
Courses and Schedules
- Course description (updated on 2/16/2012)
- Course schedule
Safety
- Please keep in mind that it is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to consume alcohol in the USA!
- Safety Tips and Information
Campus Saftey PosterProgram Activities
- Please note that the Language Institute organizes a separate set of activities for all Language Institute students including the ASP students, the Intensive English Program (IEP) students, and other summer program students (from Korea, Russia etc) as well. Please pay attention to those announcements (in Evite format or as emails) as well. What we list below are ASP's own activities.
- Friday July 6, 2012, 10am-12pm. Mandatory On-Site Orientation. Location: TBD.
- Friday July 6, 2012. Get your buzzcard from The Buzz Card Center. The program pays for the cost of your buzz card (your ID on campus as well as keycard for entry into your dorm building). You should visit the Buzz Card Center today during 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (excluding the orientation period). You are encouraged to deposit money into the buzz card to pay for meals, laundry, Campus Recreation Center (CRC) membership etc. You must bring your passport with you to the Buzzcard Center to apply for the card. Please complete the buzzcard application form which is available from your trip leader, and bring the signed form with you to the Buzzcard Center.
- Friday July 6, 2012. Bring to Language Institute your passport, I-20, and I-94. Sign the Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability form.
- Saturday July 7, 2012, 8:45am. Day trip to Madison. Board the bus on Techwood Drive next to Howell. No food or drinks on the bus. Comfortable shoes are advised as you will be doing a lot of walking. Click here for weather forecast for Madison, GA.
- Sunday July 8, 2012, 10:00am. North Georgia Premium Outlets Shopping. Board the bus on Techwood Drive next to Howell. No food or drinks on the bus. On return, bus departs from the outlet at 7:00pm. If you plan to use credit card at the outlets please bring your passport with you. Coach, Polo and other high-end stores will check ID for international credit cards.
- Monday July 9, 2012. First day of classes.
- Monday July 9, 2012, 5pm. Opening Ceremony & Dinner. Location: Ferst Place on 3rd floor of Student Center. Dress code: casual elegance.
- CNN Studio Tour: visit is arranged through the American Studies or American Popular Culture course
- Atlanta History Center: visit is arranged through the American Studies course
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site: visit is arranged through the American Studies course
- The World of Coca-Cola: visit is arranged through the American Popular Culture course
- Turner Field: visit is arranged through the American Popular Culture course
- Thursday July 12, 2012; time TBD. Special Seminar: Applying to Graduate School and Avoiding Common Mistakes. Location: TBD. Moderator: Prof. G. Tong Zhou
- Date TBD. Special Exhibition of the Originals of Newton's Principia: First, Second, and Third Editions. Location: Homer Rice Center, 2nd floor East, Georgia Tech Library. Sir Issac Newton (1643-1727) laid the foundations of modern science. His most important work was "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy", often referred to as simply the Principia. The first edition was published in 1687, the second and third editions were published in 1713 and 1726, respectively. Georgia Tech Library is very fortunate to have all three editions and will give a special exhibition to participants of the 2012 ASP. A librarian will make two (identical) presentations, to offer some background information of the books (acquisition history, praised value, etc). Contact: Prof. Ye-Hwa Chen, 404-894-3210. Flyer.
-
Monday July 16, 2012, 6pm. Group A
Tuesday July 17, 2012, 6pm. Group B
Optional GT Leadership Challenge Course. Here is a movie showing GT students on the course. Click here for video on the Chinese Youku site.
"Georgia Tech Leadership Challenge Course provides an opportunity to bridge leadership theory and leadership practice through activity. Working in small groups, participants tackle multiple assignments and challenges, which allow participants to exhibit leadership skills and to receive swift feedback on their progress." 2011 price: $18 per person; due to your trip leader by July 9.
Clothing requirements: Closed toed, tie on (with laces) shoes are REQUIRED; sneakers are best. Do not bring jewelry to the activity, including watches, bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings. Detailed requirements.
LCC Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability Form - everyone must complete, sign and submit to trip leader before the event.
Meet at the Leadership Challenge Course @ corner of Ferst Drive & Hemphill Avenue. Map.
- Date TBD.
Mandatory Orientation for the July 21-22 Outdoor Adventures Trip.
Location: Campus Recreation Center (CRC) Room TBD. You will not need
the CRC membership in order to access the meeting Room.
Directions to Salvation Army store, 746 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, Tel (404) 523-6214, where students can buy inexpensive clothes to wear for the outdoor adventures trip. - Dates TBD
Choose one of the above dates to join a Faculty-led Tour of the State Capitol. Meet at 8:30am at the entrance to your dorm (Howell) and take MARTA. A member of the Georgia General Assembly will be available to answer your questions about the legislative process in Georgia.
Please bring your Georgia Tech ID (Buzzcard) with you for security check before entering the building.
We will take MARTA. The State Capitol is close to the MARTA Georgia State Station (change to East-West line at Five Points station).
We are aware that the above time slots will not suit everyone. Do NOT skip your class in order to attend this tour. If you cannot make to either one of the group tours, feel free to visit the State Capitol on your own by taking MARTA.
Open government - video streaming of the Georgia General Assembly Legislative Sessions is available. Live coverage is available when the General Assembly meets from early January to late March (or early April). Video archive is available the rest of the time.
A sample piece of legislation: Senate Resolution 225 "The Georgia China Future" that was passed in the 2003-2004 legislative session. - Saturday-Sunday July 21-22, 2012.
Optional Outdoor Adventures Trip.
2011 prices were: $89 for hiking, $102 for caving,
$115 for rafting. The above prices are all-inclusive: camp site,
camping gear, backpacks (if needed), caving/rafting gear, bus
transportation, food on-site, guides and outdoor activities.
Trip will be led by the GT Outdoor Recreations Department.
YouTube video from
2009 ASP. Board the bus at 8am on Techwood Drive.
Click here for a general video about Georgia Tech Outdoor Recreation activities. - Friday July 27, 2012, 5pm. Last day of classes.
- Friday July 27, 2012, 5pm. Closing Ceremony: Location: Georgia Tech Hotel Grand Ballroom Salons 4-6. Dress code: casual elegance. Bring your stories and be prepared to speak!
- Friday July 27, 2012, 10pm. Cleaning and move-out inspection. Housing staff will come and check the cleaness of your room. The $40 security & cleaning deposit will be returned to you upon satisfactory inspection. Instructions.
- Saturday July 28, 2012, time TBD. SJTU students board bus to ATL airport for return to China.
- Saturday July 28, 2012, time TBD. SJTU students board bus to ATL airport for continuing travel to Western US Tour.
- Saturday July 28, 2012, time TBD. TJU students board bus to ATL airport for return to China.
- Saturday July 28, 2012, time TBD. TJU students board bus to ATL airport for continuing travel to Western US Tour.
- Early August, 2012. ASP Memory Book articles are due to your trip leader. Check with your trip leader for your university's deadline.
- ASP T-Shirt Design
Social Interactions and Leisure Activities
(Information to be updated for 2012) - Flicks on the 5th -Enjoy your favorite movie titles on the big, outdoor screen at Technology Square.
- DramaTech Theater is the student run theater at Georgia Tech. This is the oldest continuously running theater in Atlanta.having been around since 1947. Next performance: Eurydice, on July 14, July 15, and July 16, 2011.
- Wednesday WindDown - free concert series on Wednesdays 5:30-8:00pm at the Centennial Olympic Park
- Music @ Noon - live music every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1 pm at the Centennial Olympic Park
- Events at the Piedmont Park
- 50 fun things to see and do in Atlanta
- Atlanta Go Club: The Atlanta Go (Weiqi) Club is an informal gathering of local enthusiasts who meet once per week to play and discuss the game of Go. Players of all skill levels are welcome, from the complete novice to the seasoned veteran. The Atlanta Go Club meets every Tuesday night from 7:30pm until 10:00pm on the second floor of the Georgia Tech Student Center.
- Photography Club. Check out the club's calendar for upcoming events.
- Georgia Tech Dance Association. Each dance starts with professionally-taught lessons from 8:00 to 9:00pm and open dancing from 9:00 till 12:00 midnight. Unless posted otherwise, all dances are held in Georgia Tech's amazing 5,000 sq. foot, hardwood-floor ballroom. Admission: $5 Tech students and ASEDA members, $10 others. Next dance event: Friday, July 22, 2011.
- Georgia Tech Badminton Club meets frequently at the 4th floor of the Campus Recreation Center (CRC). Check their practice schedule.
- Runnin' Wreck @ Georgia Tech: Runnin' Wreck is an official GT club which seeks to promote and develop the GT running community. When: Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays @ 5:30pm. Where: Across from the front entrance of the CRC (Campus Recreation Center), at the bus stop.
-
The Craft Center
invites you to "give your left brain a break" and explore your creativity.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 12-8 pm, Friday-Sunday: 12-5 pm.
Passport, Visa and Customs Procedures
- Passport: If you do not have a passport, you must obtain one before March 1, 2012. If you already have a passport, check the expiration date of the passport - your passport must have a validity date that is at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States. For example, if you plan to depart the United States on July 28, 2012, your passport must be valid at least through January 28, 2013. Renew your passport right away if this is not the case!
- Documents needed to obtain the I-20 form (for F-1 visa): completed application form, copy of passport information page, bank statement
- I-20 packet: Pick up from SJTU or TJU Registrar's Office upon notification from your school
- Forms to fill out during flight: I-94 form, US customs form
- Customs information
-
Information for Chinese citizens traveling to the USA
Airlines and Airport Information
- Korean Airlines baggage allowance information
- Delta Airlines baggage allowance information
- Checked-bag limits are strictly enforced - weigh your bags before you leave. For your departure flight from Atlanta, scales are available at the Atlanta airport check-in area.
- Atlanta Airport terminals layout. Baggage Claim for Korean Airlines is at Terminal North. Baggage Claim for Delta Airlines is at Terminal South. Take the airport train between the terminals.
- Atlanta Airport security overview
- Security checkpoints
- Restrictions on liquids and containers. Don't keep perfume and cosmetic gift items (cream, lotion etc) in your carry-on bag - they WILL be confiscated by the airport security. Pack them in the check-in luggage, and keep the luggage closed but not locked.
- Airport pickup. Upon arrival at the Atlanta Airport Baggage
Claim Area, look for Georgia Tech personnel near the
carousel for your flight. After you have picked up your bags,
you will be led to the awaiting bus.
Once you arrive at the dorm building, you will be greeted by volunteers
who will give you key to your dorm room. You must
sign a key form acknowledging receipt of the keys and you can then rest.
Local Transportation
- Tech Trolley provides service between Technology Square, the Midtown MARTA Station, and the main campus
- Stinger Bus: Georgia Tech's campus bus service
- Stingerette Escort: 6pm-7am. Limited to transportation between Georgia Tech operated living accommodations, academic buildings, and Georgia Tech facilities situated within the defined campus boundaries.
- MARTA: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Atlanta's subway/light rail service
- Taxi Companies. Checker Cab (770) 522-8294,
Style Taxi (770) 522-8294, Yellow Cab (404) 292-8368
Healthcare
- Insurance. The program will pay for the insurance with up to $250,000 in coverage. Please read the entire brochure carefully, especially the "Medical Benefits" and "Exclusions" sections. We will apply as a group, so there is no need for you to fill out the form individually. Please note that the first $100 is the student's responsibility (deductible), as well as 20% of the next $5,000. The plan pays the rest. Doctor's office can call (770) 427-2461 to verify coverage. In many cases, the insured has to pay for the medical bill first and get reimbursed by the insurance company later.
- Please note that ASP students are not eligible to receive services from the Georgia Tech Students Health Center.
- Minute Clinic for minor illnesses. Location: Inside Georgia-Pacific Center, 133 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA, 30303.
- Concentra Urgent Care can treat a wide range of illnesses, injuries, and common conditions and provides a variety of wellness, diagnostic, and screening services. Location: 688 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308. Tel: (404) 881-1155.
- Chinese-speaking physician: Dr. Hong Li, 3576
Shallowford Rd NE Ste A, Chamblee, GA 30341. Tel: (770) 451-9940.
Take MARTA to Doraville Station (end of the Northeast rail line).
The clinic is within walking distance of this MARTA station.
Map.
Miscellaneous Information
- Don't forget to pack pillow, blanket, sheets, towels, umbrella, cell phone, charger, medicines, etc. Ordinary daily necessities can be purchased from stores near campus. Pack light so you still have room in the bags to bring back gifts and souvenirs.
- Tap water in the US is potable - you can drink water from the tap directly without the need to boil it first. Please do not bring any 220V hot water heater. You can use the microwave oven that is available on each floor to heat up water in a coffee mug should you like to drink hot water.
- Electricity in the USA is 120V, 60 Hz; in China this is 220V, 50 Hz. Electrical applicances from China may not work properly in the USA due to the above differences.
- Electric sockets in the USA have shapes
and 
.
Laptop chargers, camera chargers, and certain electrical appliances
from China may not fit into the sockets in the USA.
Make sure that you bring plug
adaptors from China! It is very difficult to find plug adaptors in the
USA that fit traditional plugs from China.
- Use proper outlet adapters for your electronics. Forcing the Chinese type plugs into the US style outlets can spark the outlets (creating a fire hazard) and blow the circuits.
- You are not allowed to burn candles, incense etc in the apartment. Do not use masking tape, nails etc on the walls. You will be ask to pay for lost keys or any damages to the apartment.
- Security deposit. We will collect $20 from each program participant as a security deposit. If you cause damage to the dorm facility and/or do not clean up your room before you leave, you will lose the security deposit. Otherwise, the security deposit will be returned to you on the day of your departure.
- US cell phone plan. If your cell phone works in the US cell phone bands, you may want to get a US SIM card (cell phone number) and a pre-paid plan such as T-Mobile's "Pay As You Go Plan". There is a T-Mobile store located in Technology Square, in the Centergy complex. Address: 85 5th Street, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30308, Tel: (404) 685-8635.
- Visit area universities:
- Emory University. You can board the free Cliff Shuttle at the Emory University Hospital Midtown (EUHM), formerly known as the Emory Crawford Long Hospital, nearby Georgia Tech. Address of EUHM: 550 Peachtree St, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. Shuttle schedule can be found here. Service frequency is once an hour during the day and early evening, weekdays (M-F) only. Look for the EUH/EUHM line.
- Georgia State University. Take MARTA to Five Points, switch to east line, get off at Georgia State station.
- Chinese-speaking travel agency: First National Travel Corporation, Tel: (678) 530-0840. Ask for Toni. The program does not officially endorse any travel agency and is not responsible for students' personal travels. We are simply providing information in response to students' request.
- Atlanta weather
Be flexible and keep a positive attitude. Schedule changes and unexpected inconveniences will happen. Treat them as part of the learning experience! Contact Information
- Atlanta Summer Program Director: Prof. G. Tong Zhou, Tel +1 (404) 894-2907
- Director of the Language Institute: Dr. Karen Tucker, Tel +1 (404) 894-8758
- Language Institute
- Georgia Tech - Shanghai Initiative
