View the Patriot Group Travel Medical Insurance PDF from IMG, Inc.
Safety and Health
One reason the program is comprised of a large group is to assure that students would be responsible for each other including a buddy system. Students would be recognized and looked upon as someone with the LoveOne...LoveAll ® program. Students in turn would need to act accordingly as they are representing the program and their country.
As part of the orientation given in every community, specific information would be provided to the group by the sponsors and law enforcement personnel in taking all safety precautions.
Staff would have cell phones which students can contact day or night. Parents and guardians will also have twenty four hour access to the director of the program.
The health of the students would be best cared for by residing in every community for approximately 10 days. This time would provide a more relaxed pace while becoming familiar with the city.
Being invited by families to live in their homes will provide the best conditions for a healthy environment with good rest and delicious home cooked meals.
Cost
Cost Includes:- All air fares
- Surface transportation
- Accommodations and meals
- Visa fees
- Entrance fees to national parks, museums, and any other attractions or activities
- Travel and performance attire
Total: $22,500*
What is not included in the above Costs:
Tuition to UNM (Bridge and The Lottery Scholarship)
Costs of obtaining a passport
International health insurance
Overseas medical fees or costs of emergency evacuation not included in International health policy
Pre-trip physical exam by a licensed physician; immunizations; medications
Any personal items
The FAFSA Federal loan amount requested to pay towards cost of attendance at the University of New Mexico is approximately $15,000. This amount may be applied to the costs of this program.
* Costs are subject to change due to airfare
Obtaining a Passport
Where to Apply for a Passport Nationwide
If you are getting a US passport for the first time, you must apply in person. After gathering together your documentation, photos and US passport application, you will need to head to a US passport office in order to turn in your information and apply. Be sure to leave at least six weeks from the time you apply to the date of your trip, since six weeks is the processing time for applications. It is also possible to apply for an expedited passport, which will be delivered within two weeks and will be a little more expensive.
In order to be permitted to get a US passport, you need to be a US citizen. When you apply for your US passport, you will be required to bring proof of US citizenship. This can include your birth certificate, naturalization certificate (if you were not born in the United States but have become a citizen), or a Letter of No Record if you were born in the US but do not have a birth certificate. A Letter of No Record can only be issued by State level government. A delayed birth certificate will also be accepted. If you were born abroad to a US citizen, you will need to provide your foreign birth certificate and proof of citizenship of your US parent, along with an affidavit of your parent showing where your parent has lived since your birth.
In addition to proof of citizenship, you will also need to bring two passport photos to the US passport office. Passport photos can be taken at many travel agencies and photo or copy shops. Photos must be 2x2 inches in size, identical, color, taken within the past 6 months, and offer full front facial views. You should also be sure to avoid wearing a hat, and be sure to wear items that you often wear, such as glasses. You will also need to present proof of identity, which can include your driver's license, government ID, or military ID. If you don't have these forms of identification, bring along someone who has known you for at least 2 years who has their ID, and fill out a DS-71 form.
To obtain your passport in person, you can go to one of the many passport acceptance facilities, many of which include US post offices. Not all post offices offer passport services, however, so be sure to check in advance. Although a Social Security number is not required to obtain a passport, you may be charged an additional $500 for not providing one. Passport fees for anyone age 16 and older are $67 for the application, and $30 for the execution, for a total of $97. The total cost for anyone under age 16 is $82.
If you are renewing your passport, you can take care of your renewal in person or in the mail. Renewing through the mail is the preferred option for many passport holders, and is generally more convenient. You generally will not need to provide as much information when renewing as you will when you apply for your first passport.
Children ages 14-17 may also need the signature of a parent or legal guardian, and will be required to fill out their own US passport application.
Rush Passport
If you need your passport in a hurry, you may want to apply for a rush passport. Although a regular United States passport takes about six weeks to get, a rush passport will usually be processed and back to you within two weeks. In order to apply for a passport rush, you will still need to complete all of the same tasks needed in order to obtain a regular United States passport.
To obtain a rush passport, you will need to pay an additional $60 on top of the regular passport fees. You will also need to pay for over-night delivery costs for your passport rush. It is strongly recommended that you pay for two-way over-night delivery fees, so that your package will get to the passport review office overnight, as well as get back to you overnight. On your passport rush envelope you will also want to mark the word, "Expedited".
In addition to the expedited mail for your rush passport service, you will still need to supply all of the documentation needed for a regular passport. You will need to supply proof of citizenship, which can include your birth certificate, old passport, or documentation of when you became a citizen if you were not born in the US. If you don't have a birth certificate, in order to meet US passport requirements you will need to bring a Letter of No Record to the US passport office, which can only be issued by the State. You should also be aware that neither voter registration cards nor army discharge paper will suffice to meet US passport requirements. Along with your application and proof of citizenship, you will also need to bring two passport photos to the US passport office.
If you are applying for a rush passport and are leaving the country in less than two weeks, it may be possible to get your passport in just a couple of days. In addition to all of the documentation needed to apply for a standard passport, you will also need to provide documentation proving that you are leaving the country in two weeks, and that your trip is already paid for. You will usually be able ot use your online ticket as proof of your itinerary. After getting your documents together, you will want to go in-person to your nearest passport agency, after making an appointment over the phone. Although it is possible to get a rush passport through an agency who will get it for you, it doesn't really save much time, since you will still have to give them all of your information.
If you are applying for a passport for the first time, rather than renewing, you will need to go to a passport service station in person. Be sure to let the people at the station know that you are requesting rush passport service. Rush passport service will simply mean that you will, in conjunction with the folks at the passport office, send your passport overnight and to a different address than for regular passports from the passport office.