Information for 2008 Participants

About IGCC and the University of California, San Diego

The IGCC Program on U.S. National Security, to be held from January 20 to March 2, 2008, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Study of the U.S. Branch, and is hosted at UC San Diego by the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC).

The IGCC Program on U.S. National Security is directed by Dr. Susan Shirk, who is director of IGCC and is a professor of political science at the Graduate School for International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) at UC San Diego. The administrative director for the program is Dr. Raymond Clark, assisted by Jason Riley, a graduate student at IR/PS. Joseph McGhee represents IGCC in Washington, D.C., and will serve as the program coordinator for the Washington, D.C. study tour segment. Our program staff and contact information can be found here.

IGCC is a unique institution that facilitates innovative, rigorous research into the causes of international conflict and cooperation. Founded in 1983 as a research institute serving the entire University of California system, IGCC's multi-campus structure allows it to build research teams from all ten UC campuses as well as the UC-managed Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories, providing broad-based links to U.S. and foreign governments, and policy institutes from around the globe. The IGCC main office is located at UC San Diego, with affiliates on all ten University of California campuses and one office in Washington, D. C.

The main campus is located on 1,200 acres of coastal woodland along the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, California. Since its founding four decades ago, UC San Diego has rapidly achieved the status as one of the top institutions in the nation for higher education and research. UC San Diego's interdisciplinary ethos and tradition of innovation and risk-taking underlie its research strength and ability to recruit top scholars and students. UC San Diego has a student body of approximately 26,100 and offers just over 200 academic programs. The University of California also has campuses in Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.

Important Travel Information For Fellows

Travel To/From and Within the United States

Formal activities in the IGCC Program on U.S. National Security begin on Monday, January 21, and end on Saturday, March 1. Fellows are expected to arrive on Sunday, January 20 and depart no earlier than March 2.

IGCC will take care of all domestic air and ground travel for this program. Your flights to and from the United States will be arranged by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to which you applied for admission to the program. We have planned for your arrival and departure from the United States on January 20 and March 2, respectively, and we will provide transportation to/from the airport. Please note that you will be arriving in San Diego but departing the United States from Washington, D.C. Fellows may elect to extend their visit in the United States. If you elect to extend your visit, you will be responsible for making and paying for your own travel arrangements and accommodations, and you will be solely responsible for ensuring that you do not violate U. S. immigration laws and regulations. We strongly recommend that you discuss any extended travel plans with appropriate personnel at the U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or Fulbright Commission before you leave for the United States.

Fellows should plan on bringing clothing, personal items, medical supplies, and other materials sufficient for this six-week program, but we encourage Fellows to pack as light as possible under the circumstances (and to allow room for items purchased during their stay in the United States). Fellows will be responsible for conveying their own luggage: we do not provide porters or assistants, although we are always happy to lend a hand when needed. We have funds to assist in mailing books and personal effects back to your home country if you wish to use this option.

Study Tours: Security/Background Checks

We will pursue security checks for your visit to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, military installations, and other secure facilities, but we cannot ensure that every Fellow will meet the security requirements of the Department of Energy and Department of Defense, respectively. It is critical that you send us your passport and visa information as soon as possible so that we can begin the lengthy clearance process. Please contact Dr. Raymond Clark with any concerns regarding this important issue.

Travel Issues Post 9/11

Travel to and around the United States has become more challenging and complicated since the events of 9/11. Increased security often results in longer delays, so you should take care to arrive 2–3 hours prior to any international flight, and at least 2 hours prior to departure of a domestic flight. Customs in San Diego is generally quick, but long delays can still occur.

We strongly encourage you to carry photocopies of any documentation provided by the State Department (Embassy or Consulate) in your J-1 visa package. These documents should not be put in your checked luggage. Carry them with you! Owing to security concerns, people who are citizens of certain counties are subject to "Special Registration" by the Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol. If you are so designated, your fingerprints will be taken at the airport, and you may also be given instructions regarding reporting to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration.

You should pack at least one outfit and a few toiletries in your carry on luggage, as check-through baggage sometimes is delayed on international flights and you may have to wait a day or two for your luggage to catch up with you. Due to increased security regulations following the events of 9/11, please do not include any of the following in your carry-on luggage: aerosol spray cans (e.g., hair spray), metal tipped scissors and razors, knives of any kind, butane gas containers or butane lighters. Avoid wearing metal items, as they will set off security metal detectors. Place all important personal items such as your passport, keys, phones, laptop computer and jewelry in your carry-on luggage.

There are special restrictions in place in the United States oh liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on luggage.

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

Failure to comply may mean that your liquids (shampoo, cologne, perfume) will be taken from you at the security check.

Travel into and within the United States is a focus of heightened concern by the U.S. government. We encourage you to visit the following web sites to remain current on the latest regulations regarding travel:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry
Federal Aviation Administration: Travel Tips and FAQ
Department of Homeland Security: Travel Information
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Travel in the United States

Health and Health Care

Fellows should be in good to excellent health to ensure that your stay in the United States is a pleasant one. Remember to bring any necessary prescription medicines or medical equipment with you (in your checked luggage!), and you should check with your personal physician prior to your departure. You should carry a current, written prescription (in English) for all prescription medicines. You may wish to bring an additional pair of contact lenses or glasses if appropriate.

The U.S. Department of State provides health insurance for program Fellows. We will provide more information about this as it becomes available.

Housing

During the academic residency portion of the program, Fellows will stay at executive apartments in La Jolla. These apartments are executive-level corporate housing units and provide an exceptional level of comfort and amenities.

Fellows will be housed in pairs in a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment (each Fellow has his or her own bedroom and lavatory). Each apartment is fully furnished, including bedding, a color TV with VCR or DVD player in the living room, a fully equipped kitchen with dishes, cooking necessities, and a microwave oven. Telephones are located in each bedroom, but please note that there is no long distance service available (Fellows might consider purchasing international long distance calling cards). We anticipate that each apartment will have internet access, but Fellows should tell us in advance whether they are bringing their own computer so we can ensure that network access is turned on.

Guests may request the Asian Kitchen Package, which includes a rice cooker and other cultural amenities. Rooms will have linen and housekeeping services every other week, and each apartment has a washing machine and dryer. The apartments also have an on-site fitness center, swimming pool, and meeting room.

Home Stay

Fellows may have the opportunity to spend one weekend with a local San Diego family to get a better sense of day-to-day life in the United States. You will receive more information and be asked to express your interest in a home stay in future communications

During Study Tour

During the study tour to Monterey, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., Fellows should plan on sharing a one-bedroom hotel room with two beds. If individual Fellows wish to have a private room, we will be happy to assist them in reserving one, but IGCC cannot be responsible for the added expense. Fellows will have an opportunity to choose who they will share lodging with prior to leaving for the study tour.

A Note on Electrical Appliances

Please bear in mind that the United States operates on an alternating current of 60 cycles at 120 volts. If you bring any personal electrical equipment (such as a shaver, computer, or hair dryer) it must be compatible or you will need an electrical adapter. If you cannot bring one with you we will attempt to find a source in the San Diego area, but it is sometimes difficult to find adaptors in the United States.

Your Contact Information at UC San Diego

During the academic residency portion of the program, your apartment will serve as your point of contact for mail or phone calls from family, friends and colleagues. We will do our best to provide you with your apartment number and phone number prior to your departure from your home country.

You are also welcome to have mail, packages or phone messages directed to the IGCC Main Office:

Your Name
Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation
UC San Diego MC 0518
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA, USA 92093-0518
Phone: 858-534-3352
FAX: 858-534-7655

During the California study tour sections you may want to direct phone calls to the hotel, but we do not advise sending packages or mail. Instead, have the packages sent to the IGCC Washington Office to await your arrival in the D.C. area. During the Washington study tour section you can also direct phone calls to the hotel, but you can direct packages and mail to the IGCC Washington Office:

Your Name
IGCC
UC Washington Center
1608 Rhode Island Ave., NW
3rd Floor
Washington, D.C., USA 20036

Transportation in La Jolla

Fellows' apartments are not within easy walking distance to IGCC or the western portion of the campus. However, there is an excellent public transportation system that will provide easy access to campus and to IGCC. Fellows may use the UCSD Cityshuttles for easy transportation to/from the apartments. The Cityshuttles drop passengers off at Mandeville Auditorium on campus. From there Fellows can walk to IGCC (approximately 5 minutes) or they can walk across the street and take the Campus Loop Shuttle, which drops passengers off throughout campus, including near IGCC.

The UCSD Cityshuttles are used by many students and can get crowded, so you will want to permit at least 30 minutes to get to IGCC each morning.

In addition to UCSD transportation, there are public buses (operated by the Metropolitan Transit System and the North County Transit System) that will take Fellows to other portions of San Diego, including the University Town Center shopping mall, downtown San Diego, Old Town, or as far north as Oceanside. You will receive a sticker on your Campus ID that will allow you to ride for free on the public transit system to destinations around the UCSD campus. Otherwise, fares are reasonable: most routes are only $2.25.

We will provide detailed information on the Cityshuttle and other campus/city transportation options in your welcome package when you arrive. Program staff will assist you with your travel options while you are here, or you may contact or visit UCSD Parking and Transportation Services for assistance.

Computer, Internet, and Library Access

The campus provides computer and Internet access at many locations. The best places to use computers will be the IR/PS computer lab, the Price Center Computer lab, or any of the campus libraries. You will be issued a username and password to access the internet, and we will provide you with an email address to facilitate communication. The campus is also 100 percent wireless enabled, which means that a notebook or handheld computer can access the internet from nearly any location on the Main Campus. You will need your username and password to access this network. We will provide instruction on accessing computer, Internet, and library resources.

The campus libraries are available for you to use, and your campus ID will enable you to check out most materials. UC San Diego (and the UC campuses) maintain electronic subscriptions to many scholarly journals, newspapers and other periodicals. This allows you to freely download and print research articles and other material. We will provide an orientation to what the University of California library system has to offer during your program. The libraries provide printers for your use, but you will need to pay to print (generally $0.10/page). You may also save articles and other materials as PDF documents onto portable electronic media and take them with you at no cost.

The apartments can also accommodate cable Internet access for Fellows with notebook or handheld computers. Please let us know prior to your arrival (if possible) whether you will need internet access in your apartment.

During the academic residency and study tour portions of the program, meals will be a combination of group lunches, sponsored dinners, and Fellows-directed options. Your apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, and Fellows may elect to take breakfasts in the comfort of their apartment. There are several excellent grocery stores within easy walking distance of the apartments, and we will assist Fellows in shopping for groceries and necessities during their first few days.

During the academic week the Fellows often dine together for lunch, sometimes joined by one or more faculty members. Café Ventanas and the Price Center Food Court are both a short walk from our meeting locations. Generally, Fellows will be responsible for dinners and weekend meals (unless we have scheduled an event or group dinner). You may elect to cook or eat out as you wish. We can also point Fellows toward services that will provide prepared meals to their rooms.

All Fellows will be provided with a per diem allowance that will enable them to purchase meals at local restaurants, eat on campus, or purchase food and cook in their apartments (see Everything You Need to Know About Expenses, below). During the study tour we will try to arrange group meals whenever feasible and/or desirable.

Weather and Attire

The weather in San Diego in January normally averages between 66°F (19°C) to 48°F (9°C), with low to moderate levels of rain (2 inches; 5.5 cm). However, temperatures can also be quite warm (in 2006 Fellows were greeted upon arrival with 92°F / 33°C temperatures). There will be some days when you can wear short sleeves, and other days you may need a jacket, but for most of your stay you should plan on pleasant temperatures with a slight breeze. However, since January is considered part of the rainy season we do expect some rain. Wind can also make San Diego feel colder. Monterey and San Francisco are generally 5 degrees cooler than San Diego. In San Francisco you can also expect more rain (3 inches; 7.4 cm) and wind. Temperatures in Washington can reach anywhere from 46°F (8°C) to 29°F (–1°C). There is a chance of snow and heavy rain.

You may want to consider bringing the following: a raincoat, winter coat, a travel umbrella, warm jacket or sweaters, long sleeve shirts, gloves, scarf, and clothing which can be layered. For the warmer days you may elect to wear light weight pants (or even shorts), short sleeve shirts, and a hat. There are plenty of retail shops near campus for Fellows to purchase warmer clothing or jackets should they have the need. We will be happy to assist Fellows who may not have appropriate clothing for the San Diego climate. Please contact Dr. Raymond Clark or Jason Riley for assistance.

The Southern California region is renowned for being informal and trendy. Reflecting this, faculty and students generally dress casually on the UCSD campus. Men will find casual slacks or jeans, collared shirts, and/or sweaters are acceptable; for women, sweaters or pullovers, casual skirts and pants are common campus attire. Dressier clothing is appropriate for some restaurants and nightspots in both San Diego and San Francisco, but the atmosphere continues to be generally informal, and comfortable sportswear is usually appropriate. Washington is generally more formal than Southern California. We recommend that you bring either a business suit or sport jacket and dress trousers (or blouse/skirt) for most meetings in Washington, as well as for receptions and dinners. Of course, appropriate non-Western wear is perfectly acceptable for all venues. Please be mindful that we will do a considerable amount of walking in the U.S. Capitol, so please bring at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Everything You Need to Know About Expenses

IGCC will pay for your lodging in San Diego, Monterey, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.; travel to Monterey, San Francisco and Washington; and group transportation for events in San Diego, San Francisco and Washington; and we will provide a stipend for your meals and incidentals.We will provide all books and materials required as part of our program, and you will be given an individual allowance for purchasing personal books or attending cultural activities as well as an allowance for postage. Fellows are responsible for long distance telephone service, pay television or hotel movie rentals, or other personal amenities. During your stay at hotels please keep in mind that IGCC will only pay for the cost of lodging and tax. Room service and other purchases must be covered by the Fellows.

Should you decide to bring some money of your own, we strongly advise you to bring it in the form of traveler’s checks, or use a credit card if possible. Please avoid carrying large sums of cash on your person as you travel in the United States. IGCC staff will help you to set up a personal checking account upon arrival if you wish. Taxis and smaller businesses are usually reluctant to accept larger U.S. denominations (above $20). Most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner’s Club) and travelers checks (in U.S. dollar denominations) are accepted at most business establishments in the United States.

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