PARTICIPANT UNIVERSITY PRIVILEGES

Participants in the Summer Institute will receive the following:

USC I.D. Card

• The USC I.D. Card provides access to University 
• Housing and laundry rooms (where housing is applicable) 
• Parking structures 
• Recreational facilities for a nominal fee 

Library Access

• 24-hour library access with USC I.D. (Leavey Library only) 
• Printing services (Leavey Library) 
• Free USC high-speed internet  
• Book lending available with USC I.D. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Participants may choose to stay at any location in Los Angeles. However, for those who wish to stay close to campus, we offer both on-campus and off-campus housing and dining options at an additional cost.

On campus: Cardinal Gardens Apartments

Cardinal Gardens is a townhouse-style apartment complex consisting of nine individual buildings. This complex offers comfortable, fully furnished one-bedroom apartments, which come complete with linens, a desk, free high-speed internet and two Ethernet jacks. Each unit is air-conditioned and has a full kitchen, living room (TV not included), and bathroom. The complex has laundry facilities on each floor and a Customer Service Center on site. Recreational facilities include a TV/piano/billiards lounge, a sand volleyball court and a basketball court. Located on the north side of Jefferson Boulevard, Cardinal Gardens is convenient to both the Bank of America and Superior Supermarket in University Village, and is just steps away from the main campus.

Cost: $658/person for the length of the program

Off campus: The Radisson Hotel Midtown

The Radisson Hotel Midtown boasts 240 newly remodeled rooms. All rooms are well-appointed and spacious.The amenities include: a large desk, computer/fax hook up, direct phone line capability, cable TV, On-demand movies, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and safe deposit box. Some of the rooms come equipped with mini refrigerators. Internet access is available for the rate of $9.95 per day. Guests are given free access to the hotel’s fitness facilities and large swimming pool. The Radisson is conveniently located across the street from the USC campus.

Dining: On-Campus Meal Plan

A meal plan is available for participants who wish to take their meals at USC. The plan provides $50 per day in discretionary dining funds, good at any venue on campus. Vegetarian and kosher options are available at select campus locations.

Cost: $600/person

To view a complete list of the dining options available at USC, please visit: http://hospitality.usc.edu/

TRANSPORTATION

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to, from and around Los Angeles. If you will be flying into the city, the USC Center on Public Diplomacy can assist in arranging transportation to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Once you have confirmed travel arrangements, or if you would like assistance planning your trip, please contact Lisa Larsen at pdsummer@usc.edu.

Although the USC Center on Public Diplomacy will provide transportation to the program’s social and cultural events in the greater Los Angeles area, a rental car or public transportation is suggested for those who wish to explore the city during their free time. For maps, bus routes or car rental information, please contact Lisa Larsen at pdsummer@usc.edu.

INSURANCE COVERAGE

Because of the high cost of health care in the United States, all participants must be covered by adequate health and accident insurance while in this country. You are not required to obtain University health coverage, but must carry comparable health insurance. Failure to do so may lead to termination of your Exchange Visitor status.

The Exchange Visitor regulations specify the following minimum level of coverage: 

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness 
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500 
• Expenses associated with medical evacuation of the Exchange Visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000 
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness. 

LOCATION

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles’ unique location as the headquarters for Hollywood and the Pacific Rim enhance its strategic value to public diplomacy. In addition, the city’s diverse population and international representation – nearly 100 consulates reside here – give the Center a truly global perspective. As an entertainment, economic, technological, and cultural hub, Los Angeles offers an opportunity to study and pursue public diplomacy in broad and non-conventional ways.

The University of Southern California (USC)

USC was established in 1880 and is the oldest private research university in the Western United States. Through its 17 professional schools and the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, the university offers cutting-edge education. Highly-ranked and prestigious schools such as the Annenberg School for Communication, Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, Keck School of Medicine, Gould School of Law, Thornton School of Music, and Schools of Cinematic Arts, Theatre, and Architecture all contribute to the vibrancy and rigor of the university, and make it uniquely suited as a home for the USC Center on Public Diplomacy.

The USC Annenberg School for Communication

The USC Annenberg School for Communication is among the nation’s leading institutions devoted to the study of journalism and communication, and their impact on politics, culture and society. With an enrollment of more than 1,500 graduate and undergraduate students, the USC Annenberg offers B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in journalism, communication, and public relations. The school boasts an outstanding faculty that includes prize-winning journalism professionals and renowned communication scholars who are distinguished by their teaching ability and research excellence. Their enthusiasm and expertise in these dynamic fields help Annenberg alumni to fill top posts throughout the communication and media industries – as well as in government, education and nonprofit agencies around the world.

The USC School of International Relations

The USC School of International Relations (SIR), within the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, is one of the first institutions in the United States and the world devoted to the study of international relations and is a founding member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs. The School offers concentrations in culture, gender, and global society; international political economy; foreign policy analysis; and security & diplomacy. The Center for International Studies, the School's research arm, hosts visiting fellows and public seminars on faculty research throughout the academic year. The SIR offers the following degree programs: a BA in IR, a Progressive BA/MA, three joint Master's degrees in IR and Law, IR & Public Policy, and IR & Policy Planning, the new Master’s in Public Diplomacy with the Annenberg School and a joint doctoral degree in Politics and International Relations with the Department of Political Science.

The USC Center on Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School

The USC Center on Public Diplomacy was established in August 2003 as a partnership between the Annenberg School for Communication and the School of International Relations at the University of Southern California. It is a joint research and professional training organization dedicated to furthering the study and practice of international public diplomacy. Since its inception, the Center has become an ambitious and productive leader in the public diplomacy research and scholarship community. The Center has benefited from unique international, interdepartmental, bi-partisan support from the academic, corporate, governmental and public policy communities. And it has become the definitive go-to destination for practitioners and worldwide international leaders in public diplomacy, while pursuing an innovative and cutting-edge research agenda.