Last Updated: Oct. 2, 2019
NOTE: Please see the registration time period, if you register before the beginning date, it will go through the system, but will not be accepted on MUDEC's end. This is only to make each tour fair and open to all students equally. (All are first come, first serve.) Note that not all Discovery Tours have the same registration time period.
Discovery Tours: Terms and Conditions
Please read the following carefully as you are responsible for understanding and agreeing to the "Discovery Tour Terms and Conditions" when registering for any Discovery Tour.
What is a Discovery Tour?
Either fully or partially funded by MUDEC alumni (free to students and lunch provided), these tours take place (usually) on Fridays beginning in the morning and ending in the evening (although sometimes occurring on weekends). At the end of the tour, students will be dropped off at a nearby train station, allowing for easy travel for the rest of the weekend. (Of course, students are welcome to return to Luxembourg too!) During these excursions, we explore nearby regions (usually within Luxembourg, France, Belgium, or Germany). This is a great opportunity to explore local gems and "off the beaten path" areas. Many times, we choose activities that may be difficult for students to visit with public transportation or arrange on their own. (Please note that students cannot depart before end of the tour.) In some cases, the day will end with free time before students are dropped off at a local train station. In this case, it is noted below. If students decide to depart on their own during free time, they must organize how to carry or pick up luggage, are responsible for their own transportation to next destination, and should inform Andy of when they plan to leave.
*Please remember that Discovery Tours are supplemental to academic and co-curricular activities. Students are expected to prioritize academic responsibilities and residency permit obligations. Depending on his/her class schedule and academic program, all students may not be able to attend all tours. Students are expected to check their academic calendar and other commitments before registering for a tour. Please remember that these tours are simply supplemental and extracurricular in nature. It is highly recommended that students manage their weekday time effectively to allow for a more successful and enjoyable semester. It is also recommended, by MUDEC and previous students, that students spend at least one weekend in Luxembourg in order to 1) enjoy the country in which you are living and 2) give your mind and body a break between travels.
Bonus: Each Discovery Tour counts at least for 5 points towards LUX 335!
*Please remember that Discovery Tours are supplemental to academic and co-curricular activities. Students are expected to prioritize academic responsibilities and residency permit obligations. Depending on his/her class schedule and academic program, all students may not be able to attend all tours. Students are expected to check their academic calendar and other commitments before registering for a tour. Please remember that these tours are simply supplemental and extracurricular in nature. It is highly recommended that students manage their weekday time effectively to allow for a more successful and enjoyable semester. It is also recommended, by MUDEC and previous students, that students spend at least one weekend in Luxembourg in order to 1) enjoy the country in which you are living and 2) give your mind and body a break between travels.
Bonus: Each Discovery Tour counts at least for 5 points towards LUX 335!
Registration/Cancellation Policy
Registration for Discovery Tours is first come, first served and will begin during the first week of classes (or possibly, for some tours, before the semester begins). As spaces are usually limited and registration in advance is necessary for transportation and activities, students will need to register ahead of time by the date listed next to the Discovery Tour below. Once the registration time period has passed and spaces have been confirmed, Andy will email all students who registered as to who has been accepted to the tour and who is on the waiting list. He will also email further details about the tour with specific start times and locations closer to the date of the tour.
Before registering for any tour, please be sure to confirm your academic schedule. All academic activities take priority over co-curricular events, like Discovery Tours. Thus, each student is responsible for making sure that he/she has checked his/her schedule before registering. MUDEC will not be responsible if you cancel due to a pre-planned academic commitment.
If the tour requires a fee (usually only for overnight tours), such fees will be paid using Mulaa. Students will only be added to the tour if sufficient funds are present in their Mulaa account. Please be aware that in order to allow each student an equal opportunity, you can only register for yourself and, once you register, if you cancel, there will be a €10 fine (unless you find a substitute at least 48 hours in advance and have both you and the substitute sign the appropriate forms in Andy's office) plus any other fees associated with missed activities. For overnight tours, a substitute must be of the same gender and the form must be turned in at least one full week in advance of the tour. Cancellation must be at least 48 hours in advance of when the tour will leave MUDEC and during office hours (8:00-17:00). If cancellation is past the 48 hours deadline or a "no show" occurs on the day of departure, the student will need to meet with Dean Leterre and may be subject to additional fees. Further, if a student cancels two tours after the 48 hours before the tour (or is a no-show), he/she may lose the possibility to participate in tours for the remainder of the semester.
To cancel, please send an email to Andy with the title, "Cancellation: Name of Discovery Tour". If the cancellation requires a fee, sufficient funds must be added to your Mulaa account at the time the cancellation email is sent. For each day after the 24 hour grace period in which sufficient funds are not present, a €1 charge will be added to the fee.
When the list is full, Andy will send out an email with the list of students attending and the waiting list. (You can continue to sign-up after this list is sent out and can be added to the waiting list). Like all MUDEC events and tours, once you register, you are expected to participate. Reservations will be made and tickets will be purchased in advance. So, please, before registering, carefully check your class schedule and travel schedule and email Andy with any questions.
*Please note that if either the US Department of State or Miami University Risk Management deems a location or activity unsafe, it will be either canceled or replaced as soon as we are notified. This is a rare circumstance, but as our students' safety is most important to us, this may occur. In this case, students who are registered are expected to attend.
**Registering for lunches: For each tour, you will be notified whether a bagged lunch will be provided, lunch will be organized as part of the tour, or whether lunch is on your own. Depending on the logistics of the Discovery Tour, lunch plans may subsequently change and you will be informed in advance if that is the case. If a bagged lunch is provided, it usually contains a sandwich, fruit, water bottle, and snack. The only difference between a "regular" and "vegetarian" lunch is the sandwich. A "regular" lunch usually includes a ham, salami, or turkey sandwich and a "vegetarian" lunch usually includes a cheese sandwich. If neither of these options will work with your dietary needs, please be sure to notify Andy in an email titled "Discovery Tour Dietary Needs" with your dietary needs/concerns at least one week before your scheduled Discovery Tour..
Before registering for any tour, please be sure to confirm your academic schedule. All academic activities take priority over co-curricular events, like Discovery Tours. Thus, each student is responsible for making sure that he/she has checked his/her schedule before registering. MUDEC will not be responsible if you cancel due to a pre-planned academic commitment.
If the tour requires a fee (usually only for overnight tours), such fees will be paid using Mulaa. Students will only be added to the tour if sufficient funds are present in their Mulaa account. Please be aware that in order to allow each student an equal opportunity, you can only register for yourself and, once you register, if you cancel, there will be a €10 fine (unless you find a substitute at least 48 hours in advance and have both you and the substitute sign the appropriate forms in Andy's office) plus any other fees associated with missed activities. For overnight tours, a substitute must be of the same gender and the form must be turned in at least one full week in advance of the tour. Cancellation must be at least 48 hours in advance of when the tour will leave MUDEC and during office hours (8:00-17:00). If cancellation is past the 48 hours deadline or a "no show" occurs on the day of departure, the student will need to meet with Dean Leterre and may be subject to additional fees. Further, if a student cancels two tours after the 48 hours before the tour (or is a no-show), he/she may lose the possibility to participate in tours for the remainder of the semester.
To cancel, please send an email to Andy with the title, "Cancellation: Name of Discovery Tour". If the cancellation requires a fee, sufficient funds must be added to your Mulaa account at the time the cancellation email is sent. For each day after the 24 hour grace period in which sufficient funds are not present, a €1 charge will be added to the fee.
When the list is full, Andy will send out an email with the list of students attending and the waiting list. (You can continue to sign-up after this list is sent out and can be added to the waiting list). Like all MUDEC events and tours, once you register, you are expected to participate. Reservations will be made and tickets will be purchased in advance. So, please, before registering, carefully check your class schedule and travel schedule and email Andy with any questions.
*Please note that if either the US Department of State or Miami University Risk Management deems a location or activity unsafe, it will be either canceled or replaced as soon as we are notified. This is a rare circumstance, but as our students' safety is most important to us, this may occur. In this case, students who are registered are expected to attend.
**Registering for lunches: For each tour, you will be notified whether a bagged lunch will be provided, lunch will be organized as part of the tour, or whether lunch is on your own. Depending on the logistics of the Discovery Tour, lunch plans may subsequently change and you will be informed in advance if that is the case. If a bagged lunch is provided, it usually contains a sandwich, fruit, water bottle, and snack. The only difference between a "regular" and "vegetarian" lunch is the sandwich. A "regular" lunch usually includes a ham, salami, or turkey sandwich and a "vegetarian" lunch usually includes a cheese sandwich. If neither of these options will work with your dietary needs, please be sure to notify Andy in an email titled "Discovery Tour Dietary Needs" with your dietary needs/concerns at least one week before your scheduled Discovery Tour..
Fall 2019 Discovery Tours
In looking at the semester schedule, we have identified several dates for Discovery Tours which will allow you to discover the region, save on your travel expenses, and recharge your batteries before and after major travel periods such as the Study Tours/Spring Break and the special 1944 Thanksgiving celebrations in November.
Please be sure to read through "Discovery Tour Terms and Conditions" at the top of this page before registering and note that each tour is first come, first served (once the registration period has opened). Any registrations submitted before the registration period will not be counted.