Frequently Asked Questions

These questions are based on actual questions asked between 2005-2007. The list should be fairly comprehensive. That being said, I want to invite you to both search for your answers here and also feel very free to call me (972) 273-3279 if you need further clarification or if you simply prefer to speak to a human.

The questions have been organized into categories.
1. Questions Regarding: general questions, getting started, registering, payments, payment schedules, admittance to the college, signing up for the program etc.
2. Questions Regarding: Pre-trip classes, academics, missing class, the professors.
3. Questions Regarding: Travel, Hawaii Activities, Extra days, staying late, gear, roommates.

general questions, getting started, registering, payments, payment schedules, admittance to the college, signing up for the program etc.

How do I get started?
Answer: Follow this link http://www.northlakebiology.com/getting_started this should have a step by step approach to getting signed up for the Hawaii Program. Certainly by calling 972-273-3279 and leaving proper contact information, I will be able to get back to you and work through the list. Just because it makes sense to me does not mean you will understand all of the steps.

How much does the trip cost?
Answer: There is a simple answer and a more complicated one. First the simple answer. The trip cost is approximately $TBD. This includes air-fare, tuition, inter-island travel, guest speakers, tours, rentals and lodging. The only things you will really be paying out of pocket for are the textbook and meals. The more complicated answer is that $TBD is a ballpark figure and does not apply to everyone. Please see the question below and I will try and explain.

What are the different fees involved?
Answer: There are three basic fees. Tuition, Airline &Student Fee. They are outlined below.

TUITION - This pays for the 13 college credit hours.
Tuition for a Dallas County resident: $533
Tuition for a non Dallas County resident $988*
Tuition for a out of state/country resident $Call*
*Now if you are not a Dallas County resident, but you attend another college there is a possibility of getting your tuition reduced to in-county status. Please call me and we can discuss this process.

AIRLINE PACKAGE - This pays for the round trip flight to Hawaii and 3 nights lodging in Oahu
The current package is around $TBD
You may use airline miles, vouchers, internet travel, family, friends, whatever you like to arrange your flight. The student may either purchase their own airfare or the student may go with a travel agent that we typically use. If you decide to make your own arrangements the student will still have to purchase a "GROUND PACKAGE" which will pay for the 2 nights lodging in Oahu separately. That amount will be $TBD.

STUDENT FEE - Pays for "everything else"
Right now our estimate on this is $TBD. Typically, if this fee fluctuates at all will be within $50 of the actual fee. This is the catch all fee which involves van fuel, inter-island flights, guest speakers, van rental, lodging on the other two islands, etc etc etc.

When are the different fees due?
Answer:
Student Fee Deposit - TBD
Airline Deposit - TBD
Tuition - TBD
Airline Balance - TBD
Student Fee Balance - TBD

* Please note that SOME of these deadlines, if they have passed, may be overlooked. If you see this and the date has passed, contact me immediately and we will see if there is something I can do for you. There are other deadlines that are not flexible.

Who do I send the deposit check to?
Answer:

In order to send in the deposit,
Make sure that it is made out to North Lake College
includes the
SS# of the student
DOB of the check writer
DL # of the check writer

North Lake College
5001 N MacArthur Blvd
Irving Texas 75063
ATTN Matthew Dempsey

Can I pay by credit card?
Answer: Yes call 972-273-3310
Be specific on the phone. You can either tell the cashier you are paying for the
1. "Hawaiian Field Studies Student Expense Fee Deposit"
2. "Hawaiian Field Studies Student Expense Fee Balance"
3. "My tuition"

*YOU MUST BE SPECIFIC WITH THEM AS THEY ARE TRAINED TO LISTEN FOR ONE OF THOSE THREE CATEGORIES. ANYTHING ELSE WILL PROBABLY BE A MYSTERY TO THE CASHIER."

Do I have to be a DCCCD or North Lake Student to attend?
Answer: No. We will have you apply to the college. We have high school students, students from other colleges, states, countries as well as many students from within the district.

How do I apply to the college?
Answer: The best way to apply to the college is to do so in person. If you apply at any one of the 7 DCCCD locations you will be admitted to all 7 locations at the same time so it really does not matter where you apply, just that you do. You may follow the link below to look into online, mail or faxing to get admitted to the DCCCD.
http://www.dcccd.edu/Future+Students/Admissions+and+Registration/Admission/ very important that you get your student ID# from this process and email it to hawaii@dcccd.edu

How do I register for classes?
Answer: You can register for classes in a number of ways. The easiest for the Hawaii Program students is to allow us to register you. If you wish to do it yourself you can do it either in person or online. I recommend that if you have registered for classes before in the DCCCD then use the method you are most used to. Please be aware that the BIOL 1411 class will be a spring course and the other three courses will be (or may be) in a flex/maymester/summer I section and may not be open for registration until March at the earliest. I will send out a great deal of correspondence when the time is right to register.

What are the section numbers of the classes?
Answer: For the start of registration all section numbers for the courses are TBD. As we get to a later date they may change. Hopefully by then you have registered and it is not a problem.

How do I get my student ID # ?
Answer: You can sign in to the econnect system at the following link. It will be on various correspondence with the college, make sure you keep this number handy. You can also find this on the back of your student ID which you can obtain in the library, the student resource center. I will be happy to show you where this is if you stop on by.
Econnect

Do I have to pay out of district tuition?
Answer: Yes and no. If you live out of district/state then yes UNLESS you qualify for in district tuition due to a reciprocal agreement we have with some institutions. If you submit a paid fee receipt there is a chance that the college will waive the out of county tuition increase due to the uniqueness of this program.

What is your phone number?
Answer: 972-273-3279 and you will be speaking to Matthew Dempsey. I wear many hats so you can expect that you might have to leave a message. The field courses are a real priority to me, so leave a clear and sussinct message with proper contact information and I will get back to you.

What is your address?
Answer:
North Lake College
5001 N MacArthur Blvd
Irving Texas 75063
ATTN Matthew Dempsey

Who is Matthew Dempsey?
Answer: The student contact for sign up and travel, van driver and tutor for the Hawaii program. You can read more under the "Meet the Staff" section of this website.

Can I go with my son/daughter?
Answer: Yes. You would have to enroll in classes and be a part of the experience. If taking college level courses does not appeal to you we might be able to make arrangements whereby you could "follow" the field studies program as an interested onlooker, but not under the umbrella of the program.

Can I bring my boyfriend/girlfriend?
Answer: Yes, however, unless you are married you can expect separate rooms.

Do I have to take all of the classes?
Answer: Yes, with one exception. If you have taken one of the courses previously you may be exempt from the taking the course. You will, however, still be expected to participate in all of the activities throughout the field studies in Hawaii.

I already took one of the classes, do I have to take it again?
Answer: No. If you have taken one of the courses previously you may be exempt from the taking the course. You will, however, still be expected to participate in all of the activities throughout the field studies in Hawaii.

Will there be any free time?
Answer: I do not have a good answer to this question. The best way to look at it as yes, as long as you stay on top of things. Most students find that there is free time to study, to walk around and even while you are say doing a plant collection, explore the environment around you. The amount of this time is predicated by your hard work in the field, the weather and most of all how much sleep you require. If by free time you mean, will there be a day to surf, sun and drink pina coladas, then the answer is NO!

Are the classes "easy"?
Answer: Yes and No. Not any more difficult or easy as any other college course you take. I would submit from past experience that students have an easier time with these courses because of the hands on learning that we do, however they are still college level courses. We have many different ways to help the student be successful, including open labs, internet notes and lectures as well as a staff committed to helping each student achieve the grade they want.

Is financial aid available for this trip?
Answer: Yes. I am not sure where to get it, however I have had many students in the past come up with a variety of student loans and programs to fund at least the coursework portion of the class. There have been cases where even more has been covered. I would say that your best bet is to get with the money source as soon as possible and work on coming up with these funds in advance. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this process work for you.

How will I come up with all this money?
Answer: There have been a bevy of creative ways to pay for this trip. I know a few students who sold cheesecake, some that got funding from relatives, as a present, saving up, student loans, scholarships, and my favorite of all time ... from selling livestock. (This is after all a Texas based program)

Is there a payment plan?
Answer: Yes. The dates of payment are pretty firm, however, the account will be open for the entire year. We can start taking payments starting in October and you can space them out from that date on. If you would like me to let you know what you should be paying to split it up into equal payments, let me know.

Am I all paid up?
Answer: The best way to figure that out is to send an email to hawaii@dcccd.edu make sure you include your name, student ID an most importantly the fees you believe you have paid at that time. I will keep a running total of all fees paid and I will be the one with the most up to date information regarding your payment. Asking anyone else may lead to problems.

Answer: The myspace page is merely for keeping alumni of the program in touch. It was created by a a former student and I have every intention of keeping up with it someday. For now we just put up some basic information and hopefully keep former students in touch with one another.

I noticed that some of the deadlines have past, is it still possible to sign up?
Answer: Maybe. Call me ASAP 972-273-3279 and we can talk. Some of the deadlines are absolute and I cannot do a thing about them once they have past. There are, however, certain arrangements I can make if all the stars align. Contact me and let me work it out. Worst case scenario you will be well on your way for signing up next year.

Are there pre-requisites for the classes?
Answer: Coursework wise, no. Each of the classes may be taken independent of other coursework. There is, however, a minimum standard of college level reading and writing that is necessary to sign up for the courses. When you apply to the college you will be asked to submit standardized test scores like the ACT, SAT, TASP etc et. al. and if you meet the minimum standard everything is OK. If you do not have these scores, or scored below the minimum, you can take an Accuplacer exam and it will determine if you are eligible for enrollment.

Who teaches the Botany Class?
Answer: Professor Mike Huddleston, also the head of the program. You can read more about Professor Huddleston on the "Meet the Staff" page.
Contact Information
mhuddleston@dcccd.edu
972-273-3528

Who teaches the Biology Class?
Answer: Professor Ron Beecham. You can read more about Professor Beecham on the "Meet the Staff" page.
rfb4461@dcccd.edu

Who teaches the Geology Class?
Answer: Dr. Len Kubicek. You can read more about Dr. Kubicek on the "Meet the Staff" page.
lenkubicek@dcccd.edu
972-273-3508

Where do classes meet?
Answer: TBD. We have our morning lectures in the "C" building on the North Lake College campus somewhere on the 200 level. There will be signs that will direct you to the class as well as one of the instructors will be at the ready to help you get there. The afternoon labs will take place in the "C" building in 3 of the 4 labs on the 300 level. Again we will show you the way. If you want to get a tour of the campus, a feel for where we will be meeting before your first day of class, let us know and we can arrange it.

Is there a text book, if so where can I buy it?
Answer: Most of the information you will need will be found in the student handbook that we will give you. The Botany class, however, does have a text book associated with it.
Kingsley Stern, Introductory Plant Biology 8th Ed. (You may purchase an older version of the text at your own risk) I believe that the 9th edition is also out now... you make the call. I know that the book store at NLC does not have this text in stock, however, they may be able to obtain a copy for you if you are having trouble finding one. (972-550-0509.) I would be more than happy to send out an email to former students who may be willing to part with their old book for a price if you are interested. In the past students have ordered the book online from various sources.

Buy your books online.

Questions? Please visit the Bookstore at K201 or call 972-550-0509.

Summer Hours:
Monday - Thursday:  7:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday:  7:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday:  Closed except July 7, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday:  Closed

The bookstore will be closed during campus holidays.

Will the classes transfer?
Answer: In some degree yes and in most cases yes. This is a VERY complicated question and an even more complicated answer. We have transferred these courses in some fashion to major universities across the United States. It depends on the institution you are transferring to, your major and your course history.

What are the section numbers of the classes?
Answer: For the start of registration all section numbers for the courses are 7202. As we get to a later date they may change. Hopefully by then you have registered and it is not a problem.

Are the courses considered spring semester or summer semester?
Answer: This answer could change in the coming years, however, as it stands right this minute 10/11/2007 the answer is the BIOL 1411 class will be in the spring semester and the BIOL 2406, GEOL 1401, and PHED 1123 will all be in a Maymester/Summer I section.

Is there going to be homework?
Answer: Not typically. For the biology classes, other than studying or making up work we do not load you down with homework. I would say that on average if you spent about a half hour a night studying you would be on top of things. From a personal experience I would say that maximizing your effort in lab while at North Lake will also greatly reduce the amount of outside class work you will have to do. Finishing your Geology papers and doing an extra credit notebook are home projects that might require some time to complete at home. The PHED class will have a walking log and some calculations and data sheets to work out. I would say that given past students experience, this is easily done if kept up with and done on time. Once again, I would say that the amount of class work you have to do outside of the classroom is greatly dependent on your effort inside the classroom.

Do I have to take all of the classes?
Answer: Yes, with one exception. If you have taken one of the courses previously you may be exempt from the taking the course. You will, however, still be expected to participate in all of the activities throughout the field studies in Hawaii.

I already took one of the classes, do I have to take it again?
Answer: No. If you have taken one of the courses previously you may be exempt from the taking the course. You will, however, still be expected to participate in all of the activities throughout the field studies in Hawaii.

Will there be any free time?
Answer: I do not have a good answer to this question. The best way to look at is as yes, as long as you stay on top of things. Most students find that there is free time to study, to walk around and even while you are say doing a plant collection, explore the environment around you. The amount of this time is predicated by your hard work in the field, the weather and most of all how much sleep you require. If by free time you mean, will there be a day to surf, sun and drink pima coladas, then the answer is NO!

Are the classes "easy"?
Answer: Yes and No. Not any more difficult or easy as any other college course you take. I would submit from past experience that students have an easier time with these courses because of the hands on learning that we do, however they are still college level courses. We have many different ways to help the student be successful, including open labs, internet notes and lectures as well as a staff committed to helping each student achieve the grade they want.

Is there Extra Credit?
Answer: That is going to depend on the individual instructors. For the most part the answer is yes and it is a great opportunity to polish up your grades.

How do I get my grades?
Answer: Your individual professors will have your grades, so you must contact them regarding this issue. Grades will be posted some time at the end of the summer II session in August and will be available online through the econnect system. http://econnect.dcccd.edu
The grades can not be emailed and will only be released to the student. Matthew Dempsey will not be able to give you your grades.

How do I get transcripts?
Answer: To request a free copy of your transcript, write or fax the Admissions/Registrar's Office at the Dallas County Community College you LAST attended, or submit an online request through eConnect.

To request a transcript online through eConnect, you must have a login and password. If you do not have an eConnect user account, please follow the instructions below for submitting a written request.

For written requests, send the Admissions/Registrar's Office a dated and signed letter that includes:

Your signature is REQUIRED. The Registrar's Office cannot fill the request without it.

Can I get a copy of the syllabus?
Answer: We are working on getting a digital version of the syllabi, however, for the time being you should use the information given in your student handbook. If you have not received this or would like to preview the syllabi, email or call us and arrangements can be made.

Is there tutoring available?
Answer: Yes. We have tutoring before and during the trip. Matthew Dempsey will oversee the time and place of open labs and tutoring. Please look forward to emails that will let you know the when and where of this FREE service.

Can we get extra lab time?
Answer: Yes. We will not know where and when yet, however we will make every effort to get you the time you need and the materials you need to be successful.

Are there make-up exams?
Answer: Depends on the professor, however, we work hard to work with each and every student. Generally speaking we have alternative times for all exams, allowing students to fit this course around their busy schedules.

I missed class, where can I get the information I missed?
Answer: Your best source is the professors themselves. Each of them probably have a preferred way to be contacted. Their individual contact information will be given out in class as well as on the contact us portion of this website. www.northlakebiology.com/staff

If we took a test in the testing center how do we find out our grade?
Answer: From your individual professor. That is the only way.

How do I get to the testing center?
Answer:http://www.northlakecollege.edu/resources/testing.html

Please visit the Testing Center (A425) or call 972-273-3160.

Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday:  8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday:  8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sunday:  Closed
A general map to North Lake College can be found at the following link
http:///www.northlakecollege.edu/nlcmap.html

What do I need to bring to the testing center?
Answer: You will need an ID, pencil and scantrons. Any other materials, specific to an exam will be detailed by your professor.

Do I need to make an appointment for the testing center?
Answer: No, only if you require special accommodations due to a learning disability or other issues with test taking. Please see the following link to our disability services office.
http://www.northlakecollege.edu/resources/disability.html

I am already a diver, do I have to do a snorkel checkout?
Answer: YES! Sorry, we must make sure that you are able to handle yourself in the aquatic environment.

I am going to miss the snorkel checkout, how can I make it up?
Answer: We can check you out when we get to Hawaii. The Natatorim (pool) facilities at North Lake are ideal for this type of activity. If you wait until we get to Hawaii you will miss out on valuable time to practice your skills, improve on your swimming and may hinder your experience in Hawaii.

What islands do we go to?
Answer: We start on the island of Oahu, fly to the Big Island of Hawaii and then to the Garden Isle of Kauai. 3 Islands with the majority of the time being spent on the island of Kauai.
Please see the guided tour section of our website for more information.

What do we do on Oahu?
Answer: Four main activities
1. Visit Coconut Island Marine Research Facility
2. Waikiki Aquarium
3. Bishop Museum
4. Snorkeling at Haunama Bay + A few geology stops.

Please see the guided tour section of our website for more information.

What do we do on Hawaii?
Answer: This is an over-simplification of the activities on the Big Island, and may be subject to change.
1. Astronomy Observation - Mauna Kea
2. Lava Hike - Kilauea Volcano (Chain of Craters road)
3. Rain Forest (Tree Ferns) - Ola'a
4. Southwest Rift Zone Exploration
5. Kipuka Puaulu - Bird Island hike
6. Tour Volcano House
7. Tour Jagger Museum - Halemaumau Crater
8. Mauna Loa Strip Road
9. Akaka and Akhuna Falls
10. Rainbow Falls
11. Visit a pit crater
12. Puhimau Hot Spot
13. Volcanoes National Park - Visitors Center (and movie)
14. Eat breakfast at Ken's House of Pancakes (optional)

Please see the guided tour section of our website for more information.

What do we do on Kauai?
Answer: This is not an all inclusive list, however it is a good start
1. Plant Identification Lab - Kauai Community College
2. Identification of organisms / snorkel - Salt Ponds
3. Identification of organisms / snorkel - Anini Reef
4. Hike to the Alakai Swamp
5. See the Kalalau Valley
6. Observe the Wiamea Canyon
7. Attend a Luau (optional and an additional cost)
8. Lab tests, quizzes and Final Exams
9. Plant collection
10. See the spouting horn blow hole
11. Tour the National Tropical Botanical Gardens

Please see the guided tour section of our website for more information.

Do we have to pay for our own food?
Answer: Yes. How much will it cost? It depends on your taste. We start every day off at the grocery store, or go the night before. Typically you can expect things to cost more than the mainland, however, a thrifty shopper with inexpensive taste will do well. $300 would be more than enough for myself... that is roughly $20 a day.

Where is a good place to eat?
Answer: When we are out there we will list a few options. On Oahu there are too many places to list ranging from fast food to high end restaurants. When we arrive at the hotel we will give you a few names and directions to some of our personal favorites. TGIFridays is even located on the first floor of the hotel. On the big island all of the staff endorses Ken's House of Pancakes and we will eat there almost daily. They have a menu that is amazing and can meet the standards of both picky eaters and picky budgets. While on Kauai we will have access to the condominium kitchens. The staff will typically eat there, but there are many options ranging from fast food to some of the fanciest pacific rim seafood you can find. If you have a particular taste, ask any of the staff, we have tried most of the fare. Many of these locations are within walking distance of the condos.

Where is a cheap place to eat?
Answer: If you need to save money a lot of students have found that eating fast food was cheaper than buying groceries. When we are going to break for dinner, ask the staff where they are eating and it will usually be cheap, plentiful and tasty. This is, after all, not our first trip out there.

Is there a place to do laundry?
Answer: Yes. All three locations have coin operated facilities. I bring my own detergent in plastic baggies (double wrapped) and a roll of quarters. The facilities range in speed and efficiency, however, they do the job.

Do I get to pick my own roommate?
Answer: Yes and no. We try and put people together that have made requests to be together. There are, however, some cases where that does not work out. You will not be in your room much anyhow and we do permit switching as long as it is not a co-ed situation. You may not know your roommate when you get there but this is a great chance to meet some new people. While you may not have signed up on the trip to meet your new best friend, it sometimes happens.

How many roommates do we have?
Answer: On each island it depends on room size beds and students. Typically:
Oahu: 0-1 (usually 1 roomie)
Hawaii: 0-5 (usually 3 roomies)
Kauai:0-4 (usually 2 roomies)

It all depends!

Do we meet at the airport?
Answer: Yes, based on past experience you will be given an e-ticket confirmation and you will see you bright and early at the airport. We may even see you at the gate. We will all meet after the flight at the baggage claim where Professor Huddleston will arrange the ground transportation.

What is the procedure for departure day?
Answer: Get to the airport any way you can, fly, arrive and wait at the baggage claim for ground transpiration.

Do we get a paper ticket?
Answer: No. It will be an e-ticket. A few weeks before the flight we will give you a paper version of the itinerary if you have booked your flight through us.

What airline do I fly?
Answer: If you booked your ticket on your own, you fly whatever airline you purchased your ticket on. Typically our package is through American Airlines Fly Away Vacations.

Do I need a passport?
Answer: Hawaii, although not attached to the mainland is still a part of the United States. If you require a passport to travel in the United States, then bring your passport and any other documentation you need to travel. Otherwise it is no different than traveling to a neighboring state.

Where do we stay?
Answer: Three very unique environments, descriptions below
Oahu: Aqua Aloha Surf
Hawaii: Uncle Billy's
Kauai: Best Western Plantation Hale

What are the hotels like?
Answer: I have tried to make a succinct description of each location. Please also see the links portion of this website for the actual site for the hotel as well as the guided tour portion of the website which should have our own images.

Oahu: Aqua Surf - A high rise hotel with small, comfortable rooms located at the end of the Waikiki strip. Very easy for transportation and walking distance to the international market place, shops and restaurants. Rooms vary in views, however, each perspective is unique.

Hawaii: Uncle Billy's - More of a traditional style hotel located right on Hilo Bay. It features large rooms, a walking garden and walking distance to Ken's House of Pancakes, our favorite place to eat in the islands. My favorite part about Uncle Billy's is the lobby with its open air and comfortable chairs... its a perfect place to be after a long day in the field.

Kauai: Best Western Plantation Hale - This is by far the nicest place we stay. The rooms are comfortable, spacious and having a kitchen is a real treat. There are multiple pools, spas, a gorgeous lobby with NO WALLS! and a fantastic layout of the complex. Walking distance to a beach and wonderful staff that is full of Aloha.

What items do I need to bring to Hawaii (Is there a packing list) ?
Answer: http://www.northlakebiology.com/gear

Where is a good place to buy the gear?
Answer: http://www.northlakebiology.com/gear

What is a reef shoe?
Answer:http://www.northlakebiology.com/gear

Instead of a flashlight, can i bring a headlamp?
Answer: NO! Don't do it, they end up blinding half of the crew.

Will this trip be dangerous?
Answer: The most dangerous part of the trip, by far, is driving. There are things in the water that you don't want to mess with, and we will point them out. There are hazards associated with volcanoes and we will not exceed the park rangers barriers for safety. Hiking, swimming, flying, driving and even eating have dangerous elements to them. We believe in safety.

Will my ATM card work in Hawaii?
Answer: Probably. I have never heard of a single ATM card that did not work out there. You will not, however, find a branch of your bank on the islands. Bring cash or expect to pay ATM fees.

How much money should I bring for food?
Answer: It depends on your taste. We start every day off at the grocery store, or go the night before. Typically you can expect things to cost more than the mainland, however, a thrifty shopper with inexpensive taste will do well. $350 would be more than enough for myself... that is roughly $22 a day.

Can I use airline miles to travel?
Answer: Yes. We do not make you purchase our package, you may swim out there if you like, all we ask is that you get there before class begins and you leave some time after final exams. If you are considering working with miles, the tickets are issued about 330 days before travel, so book award travel early. Even if you use miles, you will be asked to purchase a "Ground ONLY" package from our travel agent. The "Ground ONLY" package includes transportation to and from the airport and 3 nights lodging in Honolulu. The "Ground ONLY" package will cost $TBD and will be non refundable.

Can I get an airline ticket from somewhere else?
Answer:Yes. We do not make you purchase our package, you may swim out there if you like, all we ask is that you get there before class begins and you leave some time after final exams.You will be asked to purchase a "Ground ONLY" package from our travel agent. The "Ground ONLY" package includes transportation to and from the airport and 3 nights lodging in Honolulu. The "Ground ONLY" package will cost $300 and will be non refundable.
*Best Estimate at this time - an actual figure will be in place next week

Why is the airline deposit/ground package non-refundable?
Answer: Because it is tied to many different other entities, all which lose money if you back out of the field studies program.

Who is Rufe Snow Travel?
Answer: Rufe Snow Travel is a travel agency that we have always used with this program. They are familiar with our program and familiar with the way we do business. Our main contact

How do I contact Rufe Snow Travel?
Answer: The three best ways are below.
817-498-2455
http://www.rstravel.com/
pam@rstravel.com

Can I stay later?
Answer: Yes, keep in mind two things.
#1 You must be in Hawaii for the dates of instruction.
#2 We are not responsible for making accommodations beyond the normal scope of the class, you are on your own.
If you do indeed wish to stay later please make your reservations in advance as Hawaii is a very popular destination. I would be more than happy to guide you through it as well as give you some tips, advice, and some possible places to see.

Can I go earlier?
Answer: Yes, keep in mind two things.
#1 You must be in Hawaii for the dates of instruction.
#2 We are not responsible for making accommodations beyond the normal scope of the class, you are on your own.

What will we be doing each day?
Answer: Please see the following link, it will have a schedule of activities. Hawaii Schedule. There are some factors that influence what we do, so it is subject to change.

How many bags can we pack?
Answer: You are limited by the airlines to one carry on andone personal item such as a laptop or a purse. The program has to pack a great deal of gear so we are limiting you to one checked bag as well. Of course these bags are subjected to fees that are handed down by the airlines. We will not be paying for your bags or overweight bags, so pack smart and pack light. Luggage is cumbersome in many regards. Pack smart, light and all in one bag if you can!