PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE
For all student to the United Kingdom
PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE FOR UK
Congratulations!!!
Let us congratulate you on having decided to study in the UK. A UK education offers wonderful opportunities and unique experiences along with many other things which you can enjoy living in the UK. The website www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk is really helpful for international students to prepare for their studies in the UK.
Planning your arrival in the UK:
Life will be a lot easier if you prepare well for your journey. Make sure everything is well-organized before you leave home. You should plan your journey from your point of entry into the UK to your final destination. If you don’t have such information, you can look up your place of study on the internet before you leave. Many institutions provide airport pick up service for your arrival in the UK. In case you require this service, you will need to book it in advance.
The importance of arriving in time for your institution’s welcome or orientation week should be kept in mind. The National Union of Students (NUS) runs a welcome international or orientation program in September each year. Through this program, you will get dedicated local support and information which will further help you to settle more quickly and with ease.
The more you plan in advance, the better you will feel during your travels. Keep a record of where you will stay when you first arrive in the UK, such as your new accommodation. Plan how will you get there once you arrive at the UK airport- taxi, ride-share service, public transit or any other mode of transport.
Carry some UK currency with you when you travel. It’s a good idea to have some local money to buy a snack or magazine along the way.
Plan Your luggage:
# Know how much baggage your airline allows and be aware of weight limits. Airport staff will weigh your baggage. There are additional fees if your bags exceed the limits.
# Some items like alcohol, tobacco, guns, food as well as animal and plant products are not allowed into the UK in your luggage. Travelers can’t bring in prescription drugs that aren’t approved in the UK.
# Don’t carry another person’s bags or their things in your luggage.
# Remember that UK customs agents can choose to search for your luggage.
# Attach an address tag to each piece of luggage with your name and the address of your destination in the UK.
# Keep all important documents, medications and expensive items such as cameras, jewelry, laptops, phones and cash with you in your carry-on bag, rather than in your checked luggage.
Keep Important documents safe:
Scan, take photos or make photocopies of important documents, including:
# main page of your passport
# airline tickets
# travel insurance certificate
# letter of acceptance from your UK college or university
# important addresses and phone numbers
# prescriptions or a letter from your doctor for any medication you are carrying
Checklist for your place of study:
After you are done with the preparations for arrival, these questions are worth asking yourself:
– Have you checked if you are able to book an airport collection, and have you booked it?
– Have you received information on how to get to your place of study from the airport, and how much it will cost?
– Do you know exactly when and where you are supposed to arrive at your place of study?
– Have you told your place of study when you are likely to arrive?
– Do you have a 24-hour telephone number for someone you can contact at your place of study, in case you have problems on your journey?
– Have you planned your journey from your point of entry into the UK to your final destination?
Climate and Clothing
The UK has a temperate climate, with few extremes. But the weather here frequently changes. So, you better be prepared. It can be quite wet and cold in the winter. Carrying warm clothes for every body part is a good idea. Summers can occasionally be showery and overcast but are rarely extremely hot. The days are long and it stays light until late in the evening during summer.
Clothing & Seasons
– Summer: June – Aug
– Autumn : Sept – Nov.
– Winder: Dec – Feb
– Spring: Mar-May
Public transportation in the UK
Transport in the United Kingdom is facilitated by road, air, rail, and water networks. A radial road network totals 29,145 miles (46,904 km) of main roads, 2,173 miles (3,497 km) of motorways and 213,750 miles (344,000 km) of paved roads.
The various public transportation options in the United Kingdom offer you a lot of ways of getting around. You can travel by train, bus, ferry, or taxi.
Useful web links of transport:
Checklist for settling in
– Have you arranged suitable accommodation?
– Do you know about Council Tax?
– Have you arranged your finances?
– Have you had a health check?
– Do you know what to do if you become ill?
Culture Shock
After arriving in the UK, you will confront a new culture every day. Culture shock occurs when people integrate into a new society. When you are cut-off from familiar things and people, you experience culture shock. Culture shock is normal and everyone experiences it.
However, following these tips will help you recover from such feelings soon:
# Learn about UK culture before you leave home
# Do research about culture shock and learn how to manage your adjustment to a new country
# Pack some things from your home country that will remind you of home when you are missing your family and friends
# Ask questions if you are unsure of something
# Get involved in group events, students clubs, sports or other activities in the UK
# Talk to other international students about their life in the UK
# Use the professional support services available to you at your college or university
Obey the Law
# Abide by the local rules and regulations and respect all cultures
# Attend classes regularly
# Do not work more than the stipulated time
# If you breach the law, you will be fined or it could lead to visa cancellation
Personal Safety Matters
# The UK is a safe and secure country
# However, you need to be aware of your surroundings
# In case of emergency, dial 999 for police, fire or ambulance
Provision of work in the UK
# You are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during your study
# You can apply for a Tier 2(general) visa before your student visa expires if you are offered a full-time skilled job.
Telecommunications
# UK country code is +44
# Prepaid and postpaid options are available
# 6 pounds a month for SIM-only
# 20 pounds a month for postpaid
Food
# A wide range of choices from around the world
# Traditional British dishes are fish and chips, English breakfast, bangers and mash, and pies
# If you have special dietary requirements, you will get plenty of options
Living Expenses
# You need about 250 pounds to cover your immediate needs
# Estimated living cost in London is 1,265 pounds per month
# Estimated living cost outside London is 1,025 pounds per month