FAQs

Schedule

Q:  When should I arrive?
A: Scholar-Athletes and Scholar-Artists from outside the United States are welcome to arrive as early as Saturday, June 25. United States-based participants should plan to arrive on June 26. All participants must be fully checked in by no later than 4 PM on June 26. The 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games opening address will take place on June 26 at 7 PM.

Q:  What will happen during the July 1-July 4 World Youth Peace Summit?
A: All scholar-athletes and scholar-artists will remain on campus. Each day, there will be certain scholar-athlete/scholar-artist activities, with the rest of the day devoted to World Youth Peace Summit activities. For all activities, participants will be provided with transportation to all locations.

Q:  What will happen on July 4?
A:  July 4 will be one of the most extraordinary days in the history of the Scholar-Athlete Games program for it will encompass myriad activities including:

  • A major World Scholar-Athlete Games/World Youth Peace Summit closing ceremony that will feature the World Scholar-Athlete Games choir, World Scholar-Athlete Games symphony, a World Scholar-Athlete Games theatre production, and a World Scholar-Athlete Games dance troupe production. World Scholar-Athlete Games culinary arts participants and World Scholar-Athlete Games artists and photographers will display their exhibitions. World Scholar-Athlete Games writers will read from their works. In addition, there will be many, many other activities
  • The “Closing Address” of the Games/Summit will be given by Greg  Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea, Stones Into Schools)

Q:  When will I depart after the program ends?
A:  You will depart on Tuesday morning, July 5.

Q:  Am I required to stay for the whole program, which concludes on July 4?
A:  Yes! You will be participating in an historic program that will include the World Scholar-Athlete Games and four days of activity at the World Youth Peace Summit. The final day of the World Youth Peace Summit will include closing ceremonies at both the Scholar-Athlete Games and Summit. Our Scholar-Athlete Games Choir, Symphony, Dance Troupe, Theatre, Artists, Photographers, Writers and Culinary Arts participants – and others from the arts programs – will contribute to what will be an unforgettable closing ceremony.

Cost

Q:  Why is tuition so low?
A:  Prior to accepting applications for the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games and World Youth Peace Summit, the Institute for International Sport has spent over two years raising funds to provide as low a tuition rate as possible. The actual per scholar-athlete/scholar-artist cost is $4,100. We have been able to reduce this to $750 (plus an optional $100 May 15, 2011 payment in support of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship) due to the great generosity of many funders.

Q:  What is the payment schedule and method for regular tuition?
A:  You have two options:

  • You may pay the entire $750 upon registration.
  • You may pay in two installments of $375 each. The first installment of $375 is due at the time of Registration. The second installment of $375 is due 90 days after the date of registration or by April 30 (whichever comes first).

If you pay by credit card, we will simply charge your card. If you pay by check, you may either send post-dated checks or we will bill you (it is much preferred that you send post-dated checks to save on paperwork.)

Q:  What about the optional $100 in May 2011?
A:  This optional payment (which would make your total tuition contribution $850) will go toward the opening and administration of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship. You and your family will be in the best position to know if you can afford the optional $100 payment in May, 2011. We will simply send out a reminder and rely on the goodwill of all attendees, including your awareness that the actual cost is $4,100 per person, and that we have been able to reduce this cost due to the generosity of a number of individuals and organizations.

Q:  How much money should I bring?
A:  First, it is best to bring a credit card whenever possible. Understanding that you will be with us for approximately nine days, you should try to bring a modest amount of spending money. Be aware that while all of your meals are provided, there will be times when you might wish to purchase a snack or Scholar-Athlete Games/World Youth Peace Summit apparel (though you will be provided with an apparel packet). The WSAG and WYPS operate on the honor system which, in the past, has been effective in making sure that participant’s possessions are protected.

Transportation

Q:  If I am flying to the Games, where should I land?
A:  For all domestic and foreign participants, the best option is Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT. The second best option is Logan Airport in Boston, MA. Hartford is the only airport from which complimentary shuttle service is available.

Q:  How do I get there?
A:  There will be constant and complimentary shuttle service available from Bradley International Airport to campus. Should you choose to fly into New York or Boston, we will help make arrangements for a shuttle, but you must pay for your shuttle service from those airports to campus.

Q:  What about the timing of my flight arrival?
A:  Please make your flight arrangements to land in Hartford on June 25 (for participants based outside the United States) at any time or by 3:00 p.m. EST on June 26. The Acceptance Packet will include information on a Transportation Hotline Phone Number that will be available on the arrival dates to handle delayed or cancelled flight updates from participants.

Q:  Will there be transportation from a local train and bus station?
A:  Transportation to the host site to/from Union Station in Hartford, CT is provided free of charge.  If you take a train or bus, make sure that you arrive in Hartford no later than 3:00 p.m. EST on June 26.

Q:  Will I be provided with transportation to the airport, bus or train stations when the Games and Summit end?
A:  Yes. Transportation on July 5 will be handled in the same manner as arrival transportation i.e. complimentary shuttle service to Bradley International Airport and Hartford Bus and Train Stations.

Participation

Q:  Am I obligated to prepare a Pathways to Peace project before the Games?
A:  You are not obligated, but you are encouraged to do so. In spring, 2011 we will launch a compelling Pathways to Peace Program that will be of great help to those Scholar-Athletes and Scholar-Artists who wish to prepare prior to arrival at the Games.

Q:  Will I get my first choice of activity?
A:  The earlier you apply the better your chances will be. We accept applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as a particular program is full, we will make note of this on the website.

Q:  What is the primary language spoken at the Games?
A:  The most important language is that of friendship! English is the primary language spoken at the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games/World Youth Peace Summit. Please be aware that you must have the ability to communicate in English. In the past, many accepted scholar-athletes and scholar-artists have worked in the months preceding the Games to develop their English-speaking skills. That is our expectation for all participants who do not use English as their primary language as it affords the participant a much better World Scholar-Athlete Games/World Youth Peace Summit experience.

Q:  Will WSAG parents, siblings, relatives and other family friends be able to participate in the World Youth Peace Summit from July 1-4?
A:  Yes! Please visit the official website for the World Youth Peace Summit for more information. We are very pleased to be receiving a number of emails, letters and calls from parents, and other family friends expressing interest in participation in the Summit. Please keep an eye on our websites for further details.

Q:  What kind of supervision will be provided at the Games and Summit?
A:  Every dormitory, workshop, training/practice session includes adult supervision.  Scholar-athletes and scholar-artists are expected to adhere to an evening curfew. The dormitories are carefully monitored by Scholar-Athlete Games personnel. The Scholar-Athlete Games takes great pride in the excellent behavior of its participants – a tradition dating back to the first Scholar-Athlete Games of 1993.