Travel Planning for 2024-2025

The schedule for Berkshire School offers some short breaks for students, as well as longer vacations. The following information should help in making arrangements for flights for the 2024-2025 school year. The Student Life Office is responsible for approving travel arrangements and arranges transportation at the beginning and end of the major vacations to and from school to JFK Airport in New York, Logan Airport in Boston, MA, and Bradley Airport outside of Hartford, CT.

New International students arrive at Berkshire on Thursday, August 29, and dorms open at noon on that day. International students and their families may want to arrange nearby accommodations if they are arriving in the U.S. before August 29. Students traveling without family members can stay on campus August 28, if needed, but we will need to make arrangements individually as needed.

During the school year, students can remain on campus for long weekend breaks (October 19-22 and February 6-10). All students must leave campus for the Thanksgiving Recess (November), Winter Recess (December), and Spring Recess (March). Students should not book flights leaving before 6 p.m. (for international flights) until the evening of the day that break begins. Returning flights should be booked to arrive in the U.S. earlier in the day. If needed, an international student can remain on campus overnight the first day of a vacation and can return one day early as flight arrangements require. Students and their families should make these arrangements ahead of time.

Although arranging international travel can be challenging, we ask that students’ travel is arranged so that classes, examinations, or other school obligations are not missed.

THANKSGIVING RECESS
Begins on Friday, November 22, at 8 a.m. and students return on Monday, December 2, by 8 p.m.

WINTER RECESS
Begins on Friday, December 20, at 8 a.m. and students return on Sunday, January 5, by 8 p.m.

SPRING RECESS
Begins on Friday, March 7, at 8 a.m. and students return on Wednesday, March 26, by 8 p.m.

END OF SCHOOL YEAR
Sixth Formers graduate on Friday, May 23; Underformers (Grade 9-11 students) depart on Thursday, May 29.

Please watch the video message below from international students with some advice as you prepare to join the Berkshire community!

ORIENTATION

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Berkshire School's International Student Program Director oversees and coordinates all of the programs which address the needs of the international students. The Director keeps current with immigration law as it applies to international students in F-1 status and advises students on how to maintain lawful status.

Lissa McGovern
International Student Program Director
lmcgovern@berkshireschool.org

ENROLLMENT & VISA GUIDELINES

To Enroll at Berkshire School:

Sign both copies of the Enrollment Contract and return them to the Admission Office. We will countersign the contracts and return one copy to you.
Include the deposit as shown on the contract.
Send a letter of financial support. This should be an official letter in English from your bank stating that you have sufficient funds in US dollars to cover the total payment due as stated on your contract. We need this before we can issue an I-20 form.
Include a copy of the identification page of the student’s passport.

To Obtain a Visa at the Consulate:

Complete I-901 to pay SEVIS fee and get receipt. Please visit www.fmjfee.com for information.
Take the I-901 receipt and the I-20 Form issued by Berkshire School to the consulate.**
The parent(s) and the student should go to the consulate together.

Also take the following documentation with you to the consulate:

Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival in US **
Evidence of financial support (official letter from bank in English showing sufficient funds to cover total cost of education in US)**
Tax Returns
Business Cards
Work Certificates
Validations of Salary
Academic Record of Student
Acceptance letter from Berkshire School
Birth Certificates of Student and Parents
Marriage Certificate

**Required documents. Some of the above documents may not be required but could prove useful.

If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you do not need to obtain a visa but you will need to complete the I-901 to pay the SEVIS fee and get a receipt. Please visit www.fmjfee.com for information. Show the I-20 Form at the border and evidence of financial support (see above).

All non-US citizens must present a valid passport at registration. Non-US citizens who are Permanent Residents must present their Permanent Resident Card at registration. Please call the Admission Office if you have any questions.

STUDY IN THE STATES

The website below contains the most current and accurate information in English and in translation provided by the Department of Homeland Security on:

1.) How to obtain a student visa to study in the United States.

2.) What international students need to do to maintain their student status once they have arrived in the United States.

3.) What international students need to do to travel back and forth from the United States to their home countries.

(On the homepage of the Study in the States website click on the tab Students at the top of the page and follow the student links to obtain the desired information.)

STUDY IN THE STATES WEBSITE

GUARDIANSHIP IN THE STATES

All students, whether they are domestic or international, must identify a guardian or caretaker who can take responsibility for the student in the event of an emergency, a required off-campus quarantine, or other required leave from campus. Due to safety and logistical concerns, Berkshire School employees cannot take on the role of guardian for a student. The caretaker must be able to travel to school within 24-48 hours and take responsibility for the care of the student. For families without contacts in the immediate region, Berkshire has the names of guardianship/caretaking firms that will take responsibility for students in case of emergency.

Some Berkshire families have worked with the following:
Student Health Advocates: https://studenthealthadvocates.com/berkshire
Cogito World Services: https://cogitoworldeducation.org/guardianship-services/
International Student Support in Portland, Maine: http://intlstudentsupport.com/local-emergency-care/

HEALTH INSURANCE

Berkshire's Health Service Fee pays for routine visits to the Student Health Service, Counseling Office, and the Athletic Care Facility. It also pays for some over-the-counter medications dispensed on campus, laboratory work performed at Health Service, and STD/GYN visits to MACONY Pediatrics in nearby Great Barrington. Physical exams for school, college, camp, work, or summer programs are not done at Student Health Service.

All students must show proof of medical insurance coverage, and policies must be billable within the United States. For your convenience, International families are provided the option to purchase a 24/7 sickness and accident insurance plan from ISM Insurance group. Families are encouraged to purchase the ISM international insurance and only in rare situations should families use the "credit card" method. If a credit card is used, we will require a signed document from the family stating the credit card number can be used for medical situations. Please contact the Business Office for questions related to student health insurance coverage.

American families living abroad are advised to make certain that family policies cover students while they are at Berkshire. Families of students are responsible for the cost of visits and transportation to off-campus medical specialists and facilities, as well as obtaining pre-authorization/referrals for all appointments.

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