Academy FAQs

On this page:

Answers to Housing Questions
Academic Calendar
ATM & Credit Cards
Club Contact
Director of Heidelberg/ Liege, Belgium
FBI Background Check
Fixture List
Flight ArrangementsContact Info
Housing
Prescriptions
Communications
Facebook Page
Passport & Student VISA
Student Insurance
Student Visa
Tuition Payment
Spending Money
Contact Information
Travel Dates
What to Bring

Print the FAQs(pdf)

Insurance:

All students must be covered by medical insurance while attending the Heidelberg Academic and Sporting Academy in Belgium.           
 
Students from the United States should call their existing health care provider to make sure they will be covered on their insurance plan throughout their duration in Belgium.    
 
Students from Canada, who are part of their national health care service, will need to buy into the Belgium National Health Care Service. Paul Topping has a meeting with the Belgium agency tomorrow that deals with this and we will let you know more details when he knows them. At the present time it looks like it will cost 400 Euros per year for the coverage in Belgium under their system.  

Canadian citizens also have the option of buying their own policy through a company in Canada. You will have to do your own research in your specific area to find a provider.
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Student VISA:

Students will need to secure a Student VISA before arriving in Belgium in June. To find a complete guideline on how to process your student VISA, please follow the instructions at the Embassy of Belgium in Washington, D.C. Please note that students should write "open" or "4 years" for the length of the VISA. An example of a filled out VISA form is available for download here.

Dr. Marc O’Reilly will be available to answer any questions you may have about this process. E-mail him at moreilly@heidelberg.edu or 419-448-2208.

New admission letters will be in the mail today that clarifies that Heidelberg is indeed an accredited university. You will need to take this letter with you as you process your VISA.
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FBI Background Check:

Since Heidelberg is a private institution students must obtain a FBI background check in order to secure a student VISA.. The process is fairly uncomplicated and will take approximately 3-4 weeks once they receive the request. This website gives you detailed instructions on how to get your FBI background check: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm If you have any questions about this process you can call them directly at 304.625.2000.

 
1. Complete cover letter

• If for a couple, family, etc., all persons must sign cover letter
• Include your complete mailing address
• If you have a deadline (e.g., an immigration deadline), please include the deadline in your cover letter and on the outside of the envelope.

2. Obtain proof of identity, which consists of a set of your fingerprints
         (original card, no copies), with your name, date of birth and place of
         birth. Fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form
         (FD-258) commonly used for applicant or law enforcement purposes.

• Include rolled impressions of all ten fingerprints and impressions of all ten fingerprints taken simultaneously (these are sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions.)
• If possible have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician  (this service may be available at a Law Enforcement Agency.)
• Previously processed fingerprint cards will not be accepted.

3. Include $ 18 - U.S. dollars in the form of a money order, certified check
        made payable to the Treasury of the United States, or you may pay by
        credit card

• Be sure to sign where required
• No personal checks or cash
• Must be exact amount
• If for a couple, family, etc., include $18 for each person
• If paying by credit card you must include the completed credit card payment form
• Credit cards will not be used for expedited mail services

4. Mail the items #1, #2, #3 (listed above) to the following address:
         FBI CJIS Division – Record Request
         1000 Custer Hollow Road
         Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306
Allow approximately 3-4 weeks for processing, upon receipt to the FBI.
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Fixture List:

Game schedule will be posted as soon as it is released by the Club.
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Director of Heidelberg/ Liege, Belgium:

Peter Farmer, PhD. will be available to answer any questions starting May 26, 2008. He will be in Belgium at this time preparing for the arrival of the students. You can communicate with him via email, pfarmer@heidelberg.edu
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Club Contact:

Paul Topping, President
Royal Racing FC Montegnée
Stade Joseph Vanstraelen
Rue Branche Planchard
Montegnée
Liège, Belgium
www.royalracingfc.com
ptopping@royalracingfc.com
Belgium: 0032 496 204895

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Flight Arrangements:

Please e-mail your flight arrangements to Peter Farmer, so he can arrange transportation from the train station in Liege.
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Travel Dates:

The club opens up its pre-season training July 1st. Students should attempt to be there by July 1st if possible- we understand that students may be getting paper work in order and therefore may need to arrive a little later.

For the Christmas break the club will close around December 15th until January 5th. Players will be expected to be back in the academy by the 5th of January.

Students can stay over the Christmas period in their housing - the housing is not like campus housing that closes- there may additional costs of food but that will need to be clarified by the club. Staying over Christmas will give the North American players opportunity to travel Europe - five countries all located within a two hour drive - truly the "heart of Europe".
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Academic Calendar:

HASA students will follow the same academic calendar as students on Heidelberg's main campus.
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Tuition Payment Contracts:

Tuition payment contracts have been emailed to all accepted students in the program. A hard copy of the contract is in the mail. If you have any questions about the contract, please call the financial aid office at 419-448-2293.
 
Please send in your $3,000 enrollment deposit, of which $250 is refundable up to May 1, 2008 as soon as you are certain you would like to attend the Heidelberg Academic and Sporting Academy.
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Spending Money:

It is difficult to estimate how much money a student may need for spending money, depending on the different lifestyles of each of the students. The meal plan does not include breakfast; however students will be able to cook in their kitchen. The students will be on a strict schedule of academics and training at the soccer academy so I think $100 Euros a week (roughly $160) would be an ample amount for spending money.
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ATM & Credit Cards:

ATMs and locations that accept credit cards (Visa, Master Card, and American Express) are common in Europe. You will receive the most favorable exchange rate by using credit and ATM cards. Check with your bank prior to departure to ensure your card's compatibility with overseas ATM networks. Most banks can order Euros in any denomination so you will have some money already in the correct currency; allow 2 - 3 days to get Euros.
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What to Bring:

This is a suggested list of items to pack and general packing tips: packing list (pdf)
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Housing:

Students will be living in houses with either 6-8 people, or 8-10 people depending on the house. All of the houses have a full kitchen, dining room, living room, laundry room, bathrooms and bedrooms. There will be two students to a room.
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Prescriptions:

The most hassle-free approach to prescriptions while abroad is to take an adequate supply with you for the duration of the time you will be abroad (provided it is not perishable). Keep all prescription medications in their original containers to facilitate clearance through customs. Pack all prescription medicines in your carry-on luggage in case your checked baggage is lost or delayed.
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Communications:

Students can either buy calling cards to communicate with their families or can purchase an international cell phone plan in their home country or once they arrive in Liege.
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Facebook Page

A Facebook group has been set up for HASA students so they can begin communicating with one another before their departure. Connect with others who you will be studying, living, and playing soccer with starting in July. Here's where to join the link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21079805489
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Passport & Student Visa:

Make copies of your student visa and passport's data page. Bring one copy with you and keep one copy at home with your parents. This will help obtain a replacement passport in the event your passport is lost of stolen.
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Answers to Housing Questions:

Q: What does a student need to bring? What is provided at the housing complex where they will live (i.e. bedding, linen, towels, etc.) Are the kitchens fully equipped (pots, pans, dishes, cutlary, etc). Any suggestions for clothing and/or soccer (football) gear?
A: The players are required to bring their own bedding, linen, and towels. The students will have a single bed provided for them. The soccer clothing is provided, but normal clothing will be required to deal with wet and cold European weather.

Q: What is the bedroom/bathroom ratio in the student's housing?
A: Usually three bedrooms to one bath.

Q: Are the houses wired for internet? Would students be able to use internet in the student's housing, or is it only available on the academic premises?
A: We insist that there is no internet in the student housing, as the students usually stay up half the night speaking to their friends in another time zone. The students will have use of the internet on academic premises.

Q: If a parent accompanies a student to Belgium, is there guest accommodation available at the student's housing., for a few days? If not, could we be provided with a couple of names of nearby hotels to make arrangements?
A: We have no guest accommodation at the club, but the Ibis Opera Hotel in Liege is only a 10 minute drive from the housing.

Q: What is the plan for getting the students from Liege to the academy, on their arrival?
A: The students will arrive in Liege from the airport by train, on arrival in Liege they will be met by staff and taken to their accommodation.

Q: Are the houses equipped with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors?
A: All accommodations have a smoke alarm. If you wish to bring your own smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector, please feel free to do so.

Q: If a parent accompanies a student to Belgium, is there a guest accommodation available at the students' housing for a few days? If not, could we be provided with a couple of names of hotels nearby to make arrangements.
A: We have no guest accommodations at the club, but the Ibis Opera Hotel in Liege is only a 10 minute drive from the housing.

Q: What type of soccer clothes sill be provided by the Club?
A: Full training uniforms will be provided.. but all players are responsible for their soccer shoes and gloves.

Q: Can we ship clothes and essentials to Liege since there are so many restrictions with baggage on airlines?
A: Yes, please mail packages to the following address:

Royal Racing FC Montegnée
Stade Joseph Vanstrelen
Rue Branche Planchard
Montegnée 4420
Liège, Belgium

Contact Information: