2013 World Leadership Congress July 20—27, 2013 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL, USA

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from Parents, Students and International Delegation Coordinators regarding HOBY’s World Leadership Congress Program Eligibility and Application Process: Who is eligible to attend? Any students attending any HOBY International partner programs and are between the ages of 15-17 (during the WLC). If no local partner program exists in that country/area a student enrolled at an accredited high school who is between the ages of 15 and 17 and is proficient in English with a desire to develop their leadership skills is welcome to attend. How many students will be accepted to the WLC? We are accepting approximately 420 students to the 2013 WLC. Approximately 35% of those students will be international students, with the remainder from across the United States. What is the application process for international students? The international student application can be found online at www.hoby.org/wlc; students may complete applications individually, OR, if there is a country coordinator, that individual may complete the application for the student(s). What information do I need to have readily available before I apply for the WLC? The online application allows registrants approximately 40 minutes to complete the application. It should NOT take that long, especially if you have all of the information ready before you start the application. Please have the following information accessible before you start the application: - Student contact information (including an accurate email address) - Parent contact information (including an accurate email address) - Emergency contact information - Current school information including school contact - Medical history and information including record of inoculation, medications currently taking and any information on current conditions You will be able to go back into the application at a later date and update any additional medication information and ADD travel information. Do students have to attend the entire event? Yes. Students registered in a HOBY program must be present for the entire event. Students will be expected to attend all scheduled program events and will not be permitted to leave the campus during the event except for those occasions that the program schedule calls for it. HOBY International Chaperone Policy: Any international partner program sending 6 or more students to the World Leadership Congress will be required to send a chaperone with the delegation. One chaperone per delegation will be complimentary and receive the following:  All program materials

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Housing for the duration of the program (will be assigned to a double room with other international chaperone) All meals provided to students and volunteers Transportation to and from the airport with students upon arrival and for departure Participation in all program events and functions

International contingencies should plan to send additional chaperones for every 10 students. Additional chaperones and observers will be charged the student registration fee of $1650 USD. Contingencies of LESS than 6 students are not required to supply a chaperone, but to identify a travel contact and provide full travel itinerary to HOBY prior to the event. Students will be met at the airport upon arrival. Expectations of International Chaperones:  Chaperones will abide by the same rules as ambassadors and volunteers.  Chaperones are invited to attend all program elements.  Chaperones not attending the daily program must provide the operations team with their local contact information in case of emergency whenever they leave campus.  Chaperones will assist HOBY WLC staff with any medical and/or disciplinary issues that may arise with their students.  Chaperones MUST be a minimum of 18 years old (HOBY prefers chaperones to be a minimum of 21 years old).

Program Expenses: What does the $1650 USD registration fee cover? The $1650 USD registration fee covers all meals, room and board, program expenses including materials, entrance fees and any ground transportation during the event. The registration fee does not cover airfare, visa or passport expenses, overseas partner costs for delegations, spending money or the optional post-WLC Chicago Tour Program. International Early Arrival Program (Optional): HOBY understands that many of our international student delegations have to travel a great distance to attend the World Leadership Congress, and there is very little time to “catch up” on sleep once the program begins on Saturday, July 20. HOBY has a limited number of rooms available for our International Early Arrival Program, arriving on Friday, July 19. The cost per student for Early Arrival is $100 USD and covers ground transportation, on-campus dorm room, and meals upon arrival. Post WLC Tour of Chicago (Optional): HOBY hosts a Post-WLC “Best of the Windy City” Tour for students interested in staying in Chicago for a few extra days (Saturday, July 28 – Monday, July 30). Students will have the chance to be tourists for a couple of days under the guidance and supervision of HOBY-trained volunteers. This all-inclusive tour program is an additional $450 USD and includes dorm rooms at the Loyola University Chicago Water Tower Campus located in downtown Chicago (One block from Chicago’s famed Michigan Avenue); all meals, entrance fees, ground transportation and airport transfers on Monday, July 30. How much money should I give my child for the week? Students will only need money for incidentals during travel and any spending money for the HOBY store or convenience store items. Those students participating in the optional post-WLC Chicago Tour Program should have additional money for incidentals during that program. What is your cancellation policy? HOBY World Leadership Congress Ambassador Registration Payment / Cancellation Policy:  Students must submit a $100 Non-Refundable deposit with their registration; any remaining balance due must be paid in full by June 30, 2013.  Any cancellations received by May 30, 2013 will receive a registration fee refund minus the $100 deposit and a $250 administrative fee.

Any cancellations received by June 30, 2013 will receive a registration fee refund minus the $100 deposit and $500 administrative fee.  Any cancellations received after June 30, 2013 will not be eligible for a refund. Note: Any payments made for waitlisted students that cannot be accommodated due to capacity limitations will receive a full refund. 

Travel Arrangements to Chicago: What dates/times should we plan to travel to Chicago? Transportation to Chicago is NOT included in the registration fee. ALL students travelling to Chicago via airplane, train or bus should plan to arrive at their designated travel gateway in Chicago between 7 am and 2 pm, on Saturday, July 20th (if possible). Please note International Students have the option of arriving on Friday, July 19th (please see the International Early Arrival Option outlined above). All students should plan to be on campus (in Chicago) by 3 pm on Saturday, July 20, 2013. Student travel plans must be submitted prior to the WLC - this information can be added/modified after students are confirmed into the program and is not needed at the time of the initial registration is submitted. Which airports should be use? Chicago is serviced by two airports: O'Hare International and Midway International airports, HOBY will have representatives at both airports during arrival and departure. Will someone pick up students at the airport? YES. There will be HOBY representatives at both O'Hare International and Midway International Airports as well as Union Station on Saturday, July 20th to meet students once they clear customs and passport control. All HOBY representatives will be wearing HOBY T-shirts and have signs to welcome students. Specific information on where to meet HOBY at each of the gateways will be outlined in the Ambassador Advance Booklet that will be emailed to students and parents approximately 30 days prior to the opening of the World Leadership Congress. Transportation and from the Loyola University Chicago Lakeshore Campus is provided by HOBY and included in the all-inclusive registration fee. We would like to send students to the WLC, but due to the political conditions in my country, coming to the US is very difficult. Can you assist me with the VISA paperwork? What are the US requirements that I need to fulfill to travel to America? Each student who attends the WLC from a country other than the United States is responsible for coordinating his/her own travel arrangements and obtaining all necessary travel documents. Depending on the country of origin, this may include obtaining a passport and non-immigrant visa. HOBY will do its best to assist by contacting the US embassy with an official letter that validates your trip. Once you have applied we will provide you with this letter if necessary, contact Noel Grable at [email protected] to obtain this. For complete international travel requirements, please see the US State Department website at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html for more information.

During the WLC: What are the accommodations like? All students will be housed in double rooms in dorms on campus. Each student will have a same-gender roommate (no roommate requests will be accepted). Dorm rooms have two beds, two desks, and closets. Each floor is single gender and HOBY does not allow for the opposite gender to enter the floor at any time. There are four shared bathrooms with multiple stalls per floor; approximately four dorm rooms share each bathroom. Do students need to bring linens and towels with them? No. Linens and towels will be provided by the university, although students may want to bring an extra towel or light blanket with them.

Will there be adequate adult supervision? Absolutely! HOBY programs have a minimum of one adult (21 years or older) for every 12 students at all times. Students are never left unattended or allowed to walk across campus, off campus, or any other location involved with the seminar without supervision. What is the student dress code students at the WLC? Students will be provided with an assortment of HOBY T-shirts upon arrival to wear during the program, and dress code is casual for most of the event. Students will want to bring a "dressier" outfit for the banquet (semiformal). Please also note, the following attire is never permitted at any time during HOBY events:  strapless/tube tops  tops with spaghetti straps  tank tops  bare midriffs  exposure of undergarments  short shorts  mini-skirts  excessively tight clothing  clothing with profane or offensive language or graphics  torn clothing  clothing with holes. Can accommodations be made for students who follow a special diet or have food allergies? Yes. The Loyola University dining hall has multiple options for vegetarians, vegans, religious restrictions, and various allergies. Please make sure this information is indicated in the General Restrictions portion of the application form. If the dining hall cannot accommodate a student's needs - we will make special arrangements with off campus vendors. What is a typical day at WLC like? Every day is busy! Each student will be assigned to a specific “group”, with several groups making up a “section”. We want each and every student to have the best experience possible to develop their own leadership skills and understanding, so the program is full. Each day starts with students gathering with their group to go to breakfast. After breakfast we move right into morning educational sessions, which might be a keynote speaker, panel presentation or a hands-on leadership activity. We’ll also depart campus a few times (as a group) to take in some of the best that Chicago has to offer. Each night will conclude with “Group Time” where students will debrief the day, discuss what they learned that day and what the schedule is for the next day. HOBY does have nightly “bed checks” at the end of each day to make sure students are in their assigned dorm rooms and ready to get some sleep! Is HOBY equipped to handle any student/chaperone illnesses onsite? Yes. We have several medics who are trained nurses, EMTs, and physicians' assistants that are prepared to help students as needed. Please make sure the Personal Medical History section of the application is completed completely and accurately so we can assist your child appropriately.

What if I have additional questions? Contact HOBY's International Department: Cheryl Brenn at [email protected]; 818-851-3980 ext 309 Noel Grable at [email protected]; 818-851-3980 ext 315