Update on fall plans for admitted international students

Admitted international students received the following message on email on April 14.

As we approach the two-week mark to decision deadline, we wanted to provide an update on fall plans and the different options available to you. We will continue to update you in the coming weeks as these plans progress.

First and foremost, please know that our No. 1 priority is to bring all international students in the Class of 2025 to the DKU campus in China in time for the start of the fall semester. As of now, the Chinese government has not updated its policy on granting student visas since suspending it early in the pandemic. However, please be assured that our leadership is in close contact with local government officials and is making preparations for a quick and efficient application process once the policy is reactivated. While we are hopeful that this will happen in time to allow all international students to return to the DKU campus for the fall term, we have also devoted resources to developing alternative study plans. In terms of timing, if student visas are not available by late May, students will be able to choose from one of four options detailed below. This date has been determined based upon the amount of time we expect visa processing to take.

Please be aware that you will not commit to an alternate plan until late May or early June (although some options may require tentative registration in early May shortly after your matriculation to DKU), and only in the event that you cannot get a student visa for China. At this time, we ask you to review and consider the list of options, provided below. More details about each plan will be provided to you in the coming weeks.

1. Remote Instruction

All international students will have access to online instruction for all DKU courses. As one of the first universities in the world to transition to online instruction early in the pandemic (since March 2020), we have developed an excellent online learning platform that weaves in the innovative features of DKU’s curriculum, allowing students to stay engaged with the content, with their professors, and with their classmates. Online learning has a few additional advantages.

Key Notes:

  • All DKU courses will be available online.
  • Students will be able to return to campus as soon as international student returns are authorized and visas become available, even if it is in the middle of the term.
  • Online learning is the most affordable option; DKU financial aid fully applies to DKU tuition, and housing, food, and travel expenses are not charged to students. Regardless of their chosen options, all students will be advised to enroll in a full-load of online courses at DKU. These classes can be dropped without penalty if a student later confirms their enrollment in another option before the DKU fall add/drop date.

2. Study Away at Duke University

International students in the Class of 2025 who are unable to travel to China will have the opportunity to enroll at Duke and live on campus at Duke University for the fall semester. More details will be provided in future communications.

Key Notes:

  • Students will enroll in a full-load of Duke courses – we expect the majority of Duke fall courses to be taught in-person, with some hybrid or online courses also possible.
  • Students will pay DKU tuition rates and retain existing DKU financial aid and merit scholarship awards.
  • Students will pay their non-tuition expenses (housing, dining plan, books and supplies, student life fees, health insurance, and personal expenses, etc.) directly to Duke University. Rates are estimated at approximately US$13,000 per semester (which is an incremental cost of US$7,000-$9,000 above what a student would pay for the same expenses at DKU, depending on insurance needs). DKU students are not eligible to apply for U.S. federal loans/grants through Duke University. DKU is not designated as a foreign eligible institution for U.S. Federal Student Aid and associated savings and loan programs.
  • On committing to study at Duke, students will need to pay a US$1,000 deposit to Duke (that is credited towards their Duke bill).
  • Students will register for Duke courses in early July, with the course “shopping cart” opening on June 28.
  • Once students start classes at Duke, they will be committing to study at Duke for the duration of the fall 2021 semester, and should make plans to return to DKU in spring 2022. They may not return to DKU mid-term if visas become available. 
  • This fall term at Duke will not replace the option of study away (at Duke or elsewhere) in the junior year.
  • Successfully completed Duke courses automatically transfer back to DKU as general elective credit; some courses may be approved or eligible to fulfill DKU major requirements.
  • For non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents, enrollment at Duke will be contingent on being able to secure a J1 student visa in time to start the fall term at Duke. Duke visa services will support students in this process when/if visas are available.
  • Housing will be arranged and administered by Duke. The university will make every effort to house first-year students in campus housing and within proximity to one another, but off-campus housing options may be required pending capacity.
  • Duke is requesting all new and returning students planning to be on campus this fall to submit proof of Covid-19 vaccination. We encourage students considering this option to obtain a vaccine if they are able to do so. Additional information will be shared with enrolled students as it becomes available.

3. Study Away on a DKU Global Opportunities (DKU GO) Approved Program
  
This option should be considered for students who prefer in-person academic experiences and that are not able to attend Duke due to travel or visa restrictions. Students may have the option of applying to a limited number of DKU GO approved programs that have been vetted for first-year student eligibility. These are study-away programs in various regions of the world that DKU has vetted for academic rigor, student support services for health and safety, and that expect to operate for in-person academic experiences in the fall. A list of first-year approved DKU GO programs will be provided in a later communication.

Key Notes:

  • Some program locations may be feasible for in-person instruction at an institution or program near your country of citizenship.
  • The cost will vary. All financial costs are paid directly to the approved host institution/program; DKU financial aid is not applied, but DKU will not charge additional fees.
  • Credit transfers to DKU must be submitted in advance for preapproval; credit transfers are not guaranteed, and most available courses will transfer back as general elective credits only.
  • Once classes have started on-site at programs, students will be committing to study there for the duration of the fall 2021 semester and make plans to return to DKU in spring 2022. They may not return to DKU mid-term if visas become available.
  • Some programs may only be available with minimum enrollment commitments from a DKU cohort.

4. Study Away on a DKU GO-Flexible Learning Experience (DKU GO-FLEX) Petitioned Program

This option should be considered for students who prefer in-person academic experiences and that are not able to attend Duke or approved DKU GO programs due to travel or visa restrictions. Students that would like to study away at a four-year institution or accredited program that is not on the DKU GO approved list may petition approval to study away. Although some restrictions may apply (including exclusion of community college enrollment), many four-year accredited colleges and universities or established study away provider programs may be considered.

Key Notes:

  • Allows students who don’t live near approved DKU GO programs the opportunity to study in-person at a location that is convenient for them.
  • Petitions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the DKU Office of Global Education and must demonstrate that students have thoroughly researched and understood academic, financial, health and safety, residential, and immigration policies of the petitioned institution/program.
  • Credit transfers to DKU must be submitted in advance for preapproval; credit transfers are not guaranteed, and most available courses will transfer back as general elective credits only.
  • All financial costs are paid directly to the approved host institution/program; DKU financial aid is not applied, but DKU will not charge additional fees.
  • Once students have started classes on-site at an approved GO-FLEX program, students will be committing to study there for the duration of the fall 2021 semester and make plans to return to DKU in spring 2022. They may not return to DKU mid-term if visas become available. 

Upcoming Communications:

List of DKU GO Study Away Programs: Potential first-year approved DKU GO programs will be made available in late April.
Webinar: Preparing for DKU: A seminar co-hosted by International Student Services and the Office of Global Education will take place in late May to review various fall options, answer questions about travel and accommodations, and help you prepare for your arrival.

Office of International Enrollment Management
Duke Kunshan University

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