Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What do I need to study at Open Hearts Language Academy?
The first thing you need is to meet our admission criteria. You are to be at least 16 years of age, have completed your secondary education and of course be a non-native English speaker. If you meet these requirements, complete our international student Online booking form. Once we have received this form you will be asked to provide us with;
1. Copy of your passport that will remain valid during your entire stay in the United States
2. A Bank Statement showing sufficient funds for the period of study
3. If required, provide a Notarized Affidavit of Support *
Once you have completed the application and have been accepted, Open Hearts Language Academy will send you a welcoming letter and your I-20.
* Notarized Affidavit of Support: Required only when the Bank Statement does not belong to the applicant and that the cost related to the studies are being "sponsored" by a third party.
What kind of visa should I get? Where do I go to get one?
Because you will be a student, you should get an F-1 (student) visa. To get a visa, you must visit the nearest U.S. Consulate. They are usually located inside U.S. Embassies.
For specific information on where to get a visa, go to http://travel.state.gov/ and select the appropriate country and city.
I have a valid visa, but it is not F-1? What should I do?
If you are currently in the U.S.; Apply to Open Hearts Language Academy as normal. If you are accepted, we will assist you in changing your status to F-1
If you are outside of the U.S.; Apply to Open Hearts Language Academy as normal. Make an appointment with the U.S. Consulate to apply for an F-1 visa
DO NOT USE A VISITOR VISA TO ENTER THE U.S. TO STUDY!
What if I'm already attending another ESL program in the U.S. and want to transfer to Open Hearts Language Academy?
The transfer process is quite simple:
1. Complete and sign our Online booking form
2. We will send you a Transfer form to be completed and signed by your current Student Advisor
3. You will have to provide a copy of your passport, Visa, I-20 Form and I-94 and a Bank Statement showing sufficient funds for the proposed period of study.
4. If required, you might need to provide a Notarized Affidavit of Support *
* Notarized Affidavit of Support: Required only when the Bank Statement does not belong to the applicant and that the cost related to the studies are being "sponsored" by a third party.
What is SEVIS?
SEVIS stands for "Student Exchange Visitor Information System." It is a web-based database that tracks all non-immigrants who are in the U.S. with F or J status. SEVIS is monitored by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
For more information on F-1 rules and regulations, please refer to the BCIS website at http://uscis.gov.
Who can attend?Students who attend Open Hearts Language Academy are to have graduated from High School, be at least 16 years of age and be non-native English language speakers.
How many levels are offered by the school?
OHLA offers seven levels; two Basic levels, two Intermediate levels, two Advanced levels and one Elite Level. Each level lasts twelve weeks. Levels are subdivided into six - two-week unit called block. A written and oral placement tests will be given to you on arrival to determine the level you will be starting at.
When do the sessions begin?
The sessions at Open Hearts Language Academy start, every second Monday, at the beginning of each two-week block.
How long will I need to study at Open Hearts Language Academy in order to complete the program?
This depends on the result of your placement exam. Each level at Open Hearts Language Academy lasts 12 weeks and there are 7 levels. So if you start at the Basic 1 level, you will need 84 weeks or close to 20 months to complete the entire program of study.
What is the Open Hearts Language Academy schedule?
Semi Intensive program: Monday to Friday from 9:00 A.M to 12:40 P.M.
Intensive program: Monday to Friday from 9:00 A.M to 12:40 P.M. and Monday to Thursday from 13:10 to 14:00
Super Intensive program: Monday to Friday from 9:00 A.M to 12:40 P.M. and Monday to Thursday from 13:10 to 15:00
What is the size of Open Hearts Language Academy classes?
Even though our classes can accommodate up to 15 students we normally have an average of 10 to 12 students per class. This small class setting allows for our students to receive the individual attention required for them to succeed in their course of study.
Is there a Diploma or Certificate at the end of the program?
At the end of your program, you will have to sit for an Exit Exam. Based on the results of this exam you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
What happens if I get sick?
As an international student you are obligated to have medical emergency insurance with the following minimum coverage:
1. Medical benefits of at least $50,000;
2. Death coverage of at least $10,000;
3. Permanent invalidity of at least $10,000.
Additionally the insurance corporation must have one of the following ratings:
1. an A.M. rating of "A-"or above;
2. an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd (ISI) rating of "A-I" or above;
3. a Weiss Research, Inc rating of B+ or above.
What is the cost of the tuition?
For the semi-intensive program [20 lessons] the cost is $200 per week
For the Intensive program [24 lessons] the cost is $240 per week
For the Super-Intensive program [28 lessons] the cost is $270 per week
*One lesson is 50 min. long
What other expenses, other than tuition, do I have to pay?
You will have to pay a non-refundable application fee ($100), SEVIS fee ($200) and mailing fee [$75].
Other additional expenses are:
Compulsory book fees (up to 12 weeks)/ Semi-Intensive $50/Intensive $100/Super-Intensive $150
Insurance: $80 per month premium (optional)
Public transportation: $75 per month (optional).
To supplement its English program, OHLA offers to students a wide choice of optional activities. A number of them are free of charge (ex. Art Deco Tour, etc.] but for others, students may be required to pay entrance and other related fees in order to participate.
When and how do I pay the tuition fee?
Upon acceptance of your application, your application fees, tuition for the first 12-week [or up to your proposed length of study, if less than 12 weeks] and if requested, housing placement and airport service fees as well as the first 12 weeks of housing stipend or residential fee [or up to your proposed stay, if less than 12 weeks] are due.
They can be paid by: sending a payment by wire transfer, sending a check drawn on a US bank or international money order or by credit card. Open Hearts Language Academy accepts all major credit cards.
Do I get a refund if I can't get the Visa to enter a country?
If your visa is denied all tuition and fees (except the initial application fee, SEVIS fee and mailing fee) will be refunded.
Do I get a refund if I have to cancel my English language studies?
If you cancel your enrollment prior to the start of the initial session in which you are enrolled, a cancellation fee equal to 4 weeks tuition [or to your proposed length of study, if less than 4 weeks] will apply. However, fees such as: housing stipend or residential fee and airport transfer fees will be refunded.
After the start of any session the following cancellation fees will apply:
Tuition: Tuition for the full 12-week session [or to your proposed length of study, if less than 12 weeks] is non-refundable, unless you test above our highest level of instruction or have a documented medical emergency. If you test above our highest level of instruction, tuition and fees paid will be refunded. If during your session you must return to your home country for a documented emergency, the unused portion of your tuition will be held on account for a period of one year, for use upon your return.
Housing stipend: A cancellation fee equal to 2 weeks of housing stipend will apply.
Residential fee: A cancellation fee equal to 2 weeks paid residential fee is no refundable.
For any session in which you cancel, fees paid for materials, books, student services and health insurance [if chosen] are non-refundable.
If Open Hearts language Academy cancels the program, subsequent to your enrollment, all tuition and fees, including the initial application fee, paid will be refunded.
If you are terminated by Open Hearts Language Academy due to violations of the school written disciplinary and/or attendance policies and/or local, state, or federal laws, no refund will be permitted.
If your tuition and fees are paid through an Open Hearts Language Academy representative in your country, the refund will be processed through this representative.
Does Open Hearts Language Academy help with the housing? What are the fees and costs?
Yes. Open Hearts Language Academy offers Homestay with local families including daily breakfast and dinner.
If you choose our Homestay accommodation option you will be required to pay an Housing application fee ($175) and a weekly stipend that will vary depending on whether or not you are willing to share a room with another student/sibling [$200 for double and $275 for single].
We also offer two residence accommodation options. The Open Hearts Residence is located in the same complex as the school while our Brickell Residence is located just 10 minutes from our complex.
If you choose one of our Residence accommodation options you will be required to pay a weekly fee that will vary depending on whether or not you are willing to share your room with other student(s) and on the time of the year that you will be residing with us.
Here are 2012 residential prices
Multiple
Low season – May 1st o Nov 30th - $260 to $275 per week.
High season– Jan 1st to Apr 30th - $340 per week.
Single
Low season – May 1st o Nov 30th - $520 to $550 per week.
High season– Jan 1st to Apr 30th - $680 per week.
Note that all residential bookings are conditional to availability and to the following conditions:
1. Minimum 2 week stays
2. Bookings are to be made at least 4 weeks before arrival
Is the airport transfer provided by the school? Is it included in the fees?
Yes, airport transfers can be organized by the school. This optional service is not included in the tuition fees. The current fees associated with this service are:
- One way from Miami International Airport [MIA] $80
- Return from Miami International Airport [MIA] $150
- One way from Fort Lauderdale International Airport [FLL] $100
- Return from Fort Lauderdale International Airport [FLL] $190