A student who has completed his high school studies abroad may become an academic member of the University. This form of admission is made with the support of the office for studies abroad, which when fully applied will be sent to the Office for Admissions and Records. Once the application has been studied and approved, the University will issue an official letter of admission to the candidate. The letter will be sent to the candidate home address, together with the ICFES certification, which states that the University is a recognized academic institution, and provides a list of the necessary documents for obtaining a students visa. If more information is required on visa matters contact: http://www.colombiaemb.org/consulates/visas.html.

Academic Calendar
The academic year contains two academic semesters of four months each. The first semester begins in January and ends in May, and the second begins in August and ends in December. In June and July, there are the summer holiday courses between the two semesters.

Deadline for applications
• First Semester: October 15th.
• Second Semester: May 15th.

Requirements for application
- Application Form.
- Photocopy of Passport.
- Official transfers of notes for courses taken in the University of origin.
- Essay in Spanish, explaining why the applicant wishes to study in Colombia and at the University.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- List of subjects currently being taken, and those which the applicant wishes to take during the studies at the University.

For information and consultation on the forms for admission, please contact the appropriate faculty.

University regulations
All foreign students must observe the university’s student regulations, in matters such as admission, attendance at classes, marks, disciplinary processes, and academic quality. On induction day each student will receive a copy of the regulations.

Academic Counseling
The University’s Office for students from abroad will provide guidance for students who enroll in the subjects opened to them, or if necessary, will refer them to the person responsible for the specific academic program.

Airport Reception
One of our university students will go to the airport to collect the foreign student, and will take him to his accommodation. It is therefore important that the foreign student gives us prior notice of his arrival times.

Induction
All new students are included in an induction event, which involves a tour of the university premises. Each academic unit receives its students, and delivers their identity badges to them. Also as part of the program of that induction day, the office of studies abroad organizes talks on security, health and food for foreign students only. At the end of the day and as a closing event, foreign students are taken in a tour through the district of La Candelaria, a cultural activity.

Advice on housing
In Colombia, it is not common for university students to live outside their parents homes. Therefore, student residences are not common. However, the university has certain contacts, which will allow the students to find a place to live during their stay in Bogotá. The following are options for housing which the university recommends students coming from abroad.

- Staying with a family. This is an interesting possibility when a student wishes to practice the language and to find out about Colombian family custom. It is important to take account of the fact that the differences between some of those customs and those of the student’s country of origin, may mean that the student finds additional difficulties in adaptation, but this alternative is a good opportunity to come close to our family culture. Usually, life with a family will mean having a single room equipped with basic furnishings, and the student will be able to come to some agreement with regard to meals. The monthly cost of accommodation of this type will be between US $100 and US $250.
- University lodgings. This option is something like a student residence. The idea of this type of accommodation may be attractive, since the student will be living with other Colombian students, mostly from cities in the provinces. In this case the foreign student will have an individual or share a room, and the possibility of cooking his own meals, or contracting someone to prepare them. This option will cost between US $150 and $200 a month.
- Furnished studio apartments. Most of these studio apartments are located at La Candelaria, the historic sector of Bogotá, very close to the University. Studio apartments are more or less 40 sq.m. fully equipped and with rustic decoration. The monthly cost of these studio apartments is between US$200 and US$280. In some cases, this will include public services.

The Interandes Group
Interandes is a group formed by university students’ volunteers, and their main objective is to assist foreign students during their stay in this country. They are responsible for helping them to know Bogotá and the university, and the supervision of the office of studies abroad. These students are ready to provide help to foreign students at any time, in academic or personal matters, or needs of any other kind.