Application

Q: How do I apply to the program?
A: Visit this link or scan the QR code included on the last page of the information session slides deck.

Q: Any chance this program will be open to OMSCS as well?
A: At this point, it’s only available for OMSA students and alumni since it’s an analytics-based trip partnered with the Analytics program in Shenzhen.

Q: Are OMSA students based outside of the U.S. eligible?
A: Certainly! All OMSA students in good academic standing and good disciplinary standing are eligible to apply.

Q: If we apply before the applications close and we meet the requirements of being in good academic standing and good disciplinary standing, can we expect to be accepted?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I apply even though this is my first semester on the OMSA program and I do not have grades yet?
A: Yes.

About the Program

Q: Will I be earning credits for participating in this program?
A: No. This is an enrichment program designed to broaden the students’ experiences. There are no classroom instruction, homework, or exams on this program.

Q: If I am to participate in this program, can I still take an OMSA course during the summer?
A: This program will not interfere with your progress towards the MSA degree. It does require you to take time off from work to travel to Hong Kong and Shenzhen, during which time you can still work on your OMSA course. There will be some free time after the field trip and/or cultural activity each day for you to do what is needed to keep up with your OMSA course.

Q: What will be the format of the field trips like?
A: We will arrange for technical experts from the companies to meet us, showcase their companies’ work, discuss analytics applications in their line of business, and GT-Shenzhen faculty can help make connections to relevant contents in the analytics courses.

Q: Can we find reviews from the last program?
A: This is the first trip in collaboration with OMSA and GT-Shenzhen, so we don’t have any reviews at this point. GT-Shenzhen has been hosting the Georgia Tech China Summer Program (an undergraduate study abroad program) and operating GT Masters’ degree programs for many years, and you can view student impressions from here.

Q: Can online students study abroad at the GT-Shenzhen campus?
A: Yes. GT-Shenzhen has the MSA degree program, and you can apply to exchange to the GT-Shenzhen campus if you wish.

Family / Spouse / Partner

Q: If we are traveling with a spouse/partner, would they be able to attend any of the field trips and cultural trips?
A: Yes. The spouse/partner can participate fully in this program by paying the $500 program fee. Each adult participant needs to complete a separate application. Please mention each other’s name on the online application form when answering the last question “tell us a bit about yourself”.

Q: Will my spouse / partner be considered as taking up one of the available spots on the program if they join the program?
A: Yes.

Q: Can my child participate in the program activities?
A: It will not be appropriate for children to join the field trips because we will be visiting large enterprises on the field trips. Children can join the cultural activities, and the parents will be responsibility for paying additional fees if their participation results in additional charges from the vendors (such as admission fees, extra ground transportation expenses, etc.).

Payment

Q: What payment method is expected for the deposit?
A: After you apply, within one business day, you should receive instructions via email, your unique login to make the deposit payment to GTSI. You will need to use the Alipay App to execute the payment. Alipay is the payment method of choice for international visitors to China, so it is worth your effort to set up Alipay now. Please follow the instructions here to set up Alipay. It might be helpful if you watch some demos on Youtube, such as Demo 1 or Demo 2..

Lodging

Q: Are the hotel rates shown in the slide for a daily rate or for the whole duration?
A: The lodging estimates shown are for 3 nights of lodging in Hong Kong and 6 nights of lodging in Shenzhen.

Q: Can we change our lodging preference after the application?
A: Program participants will make their own lodging reservations. Some room rates allow for changes/cancellations whereas the lowest cost options may charge a fee for making changes.

Q: Will there be a chat group where I could find a person to share the hotel room for two?
A: We will provide a Qualtrics survey link later to those who sign up on the program to name roommates. For those that need double occupancy lodging but do not know others on the program, the program will make roommate assignments.

Q: I live in Hong Kong. Can I commute to Shenzhen to join the program?
A: Yes, you can, and it will save you some lodging expenses. You are responsible for making your own ground transportation arrangements to arrive at the program activity meeting point.

Visa

Q: Should I apply for a single-entry tourist visa for mainland China?
A: For arriving in Hong Kong and crossing the border to Shenzhen, you will use up one entry on your Chinese visa. A single-entry Chinese visa is sufficient for this program. If you travel from Shenzhen to Hong Kong or Macau during the weekend and return to Shenzhen, you will need another entry on the Chinese visa. A double-entry Chinese visa is not necessary and costs ~$11 USD additional for citizens of most countries but can offer you some flexibility. The cost of the Chinese visa is the same regardless of the number of entries for U.S. citizens.

Q: If I need a visa to Hong Kong, should I apply for a single-entry visa or double-entry visa?
A: Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong for 7 to 180 days visa-free; see the visa policy of Hong Kong. If you do need a visa to visit Hong Kong, you will use up one entry when first entering Hong Kong. At the end of the program, if your departure flight is out of Hong Kong, you will need another entry for Hong Kong. However, if you fly out of Shenzhen or another city in mainland China, you will not need the second entry on your Hong Kong visa.

Q: What happens if my Chinese visa application is denied?
A: If you don’t have a visa to mainland China, you will be missing the majority part of the program. You should not participate in the program in that case. The program will refund you the $200 deposit minus any bank/credit card transaction fees if you provide proof of your visa denial.

Q: What happens if my Hong Kong visa application is denied?
A: Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong without the need for a Hong Kong visa. You will need to first secure your visa to mainland China and then apply for a visa to Hong Kong (online). If you fail to secure a visa to Hong Kong, you can travel to Shenzhen directly and participate in the Shenzhen portion of the program. We will NOT prorate the $500 program fee; however, if you cannot participate in any portion of the program.

Q: For nationalities that require an invitation letter for the visa application, are we going to get one from the school?
A: The Chinese L visa type does not require a visa invitation letter, but if the Chinese Embassy / Consulate or the visa service in your country informs you that a visa invitation letter is needed, we will provide one to assist your visa application.

Q: Will you supply an itinerary for the Chinese visa application?
A: The visa application does not require you to supply an itinerary. You only need to list the mainland Chinese cities that you plan to visit on the trip. For this program, we will only visit Shenzhen in mainland China.

Travel & Transportation

Q: Does the program start in Hong Kong and end in Shenzhen?
A: Yes.

Q: When should we arrive and depart?
A: Please plan to arrive in Hong Kong by early evening on Sunday, June 23. You can depart any time on Tuesday, July 2 (or late evening of Monday, July 1 – some flights depart Hong Kong close to midnight).

Q: I have other plans for the last couple of days of the program. Can I leave the program early?
A: Yes. You should make your own airfare and lodging arrangement accordingly, and the GT-Shenzhen staff will assist with ground transportation arrangements. The $500 program fee will NOT be prorated; however, if you leave the program early.

Q: If we find a return ticket from Hong Kong, will transportation be provided?
A: The program fee covers ground transportation in conjunction with official program activities (such as the group transfer from Hong Kong to Shenzhen). Individuals may depart Shenzhen at different times after the conclusion of the program, and the program staff can assist with booking shuttle, ferry, or train tickets to Hong Kong or other cities in the region. The cost of those individual transportation tickets is the responsibility of the participant.

Q: What will be the transportation from Hong Kong to Shenzhen?
A: We plan to charter a bus to move the group from Hong Kong to Shenzhen.

Miscellaneous

Q: What is the weather like in Shenzhen during this program period?
A: In Shenzhen, during the month of June, the average daily low-temperature is 78.1°F (25.6°C); the average daily high-temperature is 88°F (31.1°C). Compare this with Atlanta, which has an average low-temperature of 67°F (19°C) and an average daily high temperature of 86°F (30°C).

Q: Will there be a dress code for dinners or field trips?
A: Smart casual.

Q: How many meals are included during the program?
A: The program fee covers two meals.

Future Program Offering

Q: Do we know what the prospective dates for December are?
A: December 12 is the last day of final exams for the Fall 2024 semester. The December trip may occur between December 13 and December 22, but we want to wait until after the summer trip to make a decision on the December trip in case we need to make adjustments to the program. Please be sure to complete the Program Interest Survey for future semesters: Program Interest Survey so we can keep you posted on future developments of the program.