Ready for take off? Pre-departure 2015 Saturday 25 July 2.00 to 6.30 p.m

Ready for take off?

Pre-departure 2015

Saturday 25 July

2.00 to 6.30 p.m.

www.ielts.orgwww.ielts.org

British Council IELTS Prize 2015

www.britishcouncil.sg/ielts

Saturday, 25 July 2015

www.ielts.orgwww.ielts.orgw.britishcouncil.org/takeieltswww.britishcouncil.sg/ielts

British CouncilIELTS Prize 2015

Prethika NairMSc in International RelationsUniversity of Edinburgh, UK



Daphne Theresa ChiaMB BChir (Medicine)

University of Cambridge, UK



Mark Soh Jin ChuenBA in Architectural Studies

University of Toronto, Canada



Ng Xi Yu CheeryBA (Hons) in Film and Television

University of Edinburgh, UK



Neo Hui-Lin LuisaMClinDent Orthodontics (Advanced Training)

University College London, UK



Timothy TeongBSc (Hons) in Physiology, Sports and Nutrition

University of Glasgow, UK

Destination UK!

The journey of a lifetime

Quiz

4) What’s the emergency number in the UK?

2) What do you do on Guy Fawkes Night (5 Nov)?

3) What’s the average temperature in Oct? And in Jan?

1) What makes up the United Kingdom?

5) What does it mean if you are “off your trolley”?

6) What’s the cheapest way to travel within the city?

Agenda

• Introduction

• Pre-trip Preparation*

• What to Bring

• Pre-departure Checklist

• Once You’re There

• Important Contacts and Links

Visa Application Accommodation Finances Insurance Travel plans Research

The slides will be uploaded on our website – www.educationuk.org/Singapore

Apply for your Student Visa

• ATAS certificate – apply early

• Unsure? Check https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

• UK (Tier 4) General Student Visa (above 18)

• Apply three months before travel date. Cannot enter before the date of the visa

• Ensure you have the necessary supporting documents

• Supporting documents :

1. confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)

2. valid passport

3. proof of funding (depends)

www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/documents-you-must-provide

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

http://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/documents-you-must-provide

Apply for your Student Visa

• Complete the application and pay for the fee online

• www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

• Visa Fees – S$705 (as of 22 July 2015)

• Healthcare surcharge - £150 per year (for those more than 6 months)

• Schedule an appointment (http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/singapore/) to submit the documents (including passport) and biometrics

• May be required to sit for a short Credibility Interview – basic questions such as “Why did you choose your university/course?”, “How do you plan to fund your studies?”, “Do you plan to work?”

• Approximately 15 working days

• Priority service available

VFS Global Singapore 135 Cecil Street,#08-01 MYP Plaza,Singapore 069536

http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/singapore/

Accommodation

Make sure you have applied for accommodation – accepting an offer does not mean you have applied for housing.

Catered vs self-catered

You may be allowed to check-in only during working hours or from certain date, so do find out prior to arrival.

If housing is only provided during the semester, find alternative lodging during the periods before and after term.

Private accommodation Get help from the Housing office, if need be.

Take pictures of the room upon checking in, in case of disputes.

Finances

• Do your sums and make sure you have enough money.

• Orientations should include instructions on setting up of bank accounts. You may need a letter from your university to open an account.

• You can bring an international bank draft or set-up the account and have your family transfer the money.

• Fees will be charged by banks for telegraphic transfers and cheques.

• Setting up an account may take weeks - You will need cash for the initial period. £300 to £500 should be sufficient.

• If your Singapore ATM card is part of PLUS or CIRRUS system, you can withdraw local currency from foreign ATMs.

• Advisable to have a credit card with you for the big-ticket

items and emergencies.

Insurance

• Students staying for more than 6 months qualify for NHS.

• We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance.

• Get travel insurance in case of lost baggage or delayed flights.

• Please bring along the proof of insurance and coverage for reference.

• Check with your insurance company on claiming procedures.

• Get your prescriptions and jabs, glasses changed, teeth checked, etc

here!

Travel Plans

• Buy your flights online or through a travel agent

(only after you have collected your visa).

• Check for student fares with your travel agent.

• Sign up for frequent flyer programmes.

• Check your airline’s baggage allowance before packing!

• Take note of your arrival time. If it is late at night, are you comfortable getting around the city alone and do you have somewhere to stay? Consider travelling in groups.

• If you need to take a train to your final destination, please give ample time allowance for transfers.

• Plan your journey from airport/train station to your accommodation. Taxis can cost quite a fair bit!

Preparing to leave home

Do your research

Find out about …

• The weather - Should you be bringing tee shirts or wool coats and mufflers? Can you deal with the low humidity?

• Time difference

• Exchange rate

• Reporting the loss of your passport or credit cards

• Getting around

• Meet & Greet services

• SingSocs

• Recipes of your favourite home-made dishes

• Singapore

• UK

Climate

Autumn - Sep / Oct / NovTemp: ~ 10 – 20 degrees

Winter - Dec / Jan / Feb Temp: ~ -5 – 10 degrees

Spring – Mar / Apr / MayTemp: ~ 10 – 20 degrees

Summer - Jun / July / AugTemp: ~ 17 – 29 degrees

Packing your things

Things to bring

• Valid passport – at least 6 months validity (visa if applicable)

• Decision letter for Biometric Residence Permit

• Letter of acceptance

• Proof of funding (you may be asked and you

need to know how you will be able to support yourself)

• Accommodation Letter

• Copies of your insurance policies

• Return Air ticket (if possible)

• Originals (or certified copies) of your qualifications

• Vaccination documents and X-ray*

1. Important Documents

Things to note

• A medical check-up is not compulsory for students heading to the UK from Singapore but note that you may be randomly picked to do a health check-up when you are at the airport.

• www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-issues-med - Form PQ

Please make copies of all important documents. Keep separate sets in different places, including one in Singapore. Your family can send them to you, in the event that you lose those with you.

You can buy most things you will need over there! There are many different nationalities living in the UK, and the shops cater for this, so you may even be able to buy your favourite foods and brands.

Things to bring

• Sufficient cash (perhaps one month’s expenses, excluding rent)

• Medication for personal use (prescription drugs should be kept in their original packaging with your name on it, and accompanied by a doctor’s note)

• Travel adaptors and multi-plug adaptors

• Laptop, camera and mobile phone and their chargers

• Umbrella or raincoat

• First-aid kit

2. Other Essentials

Things to bring (or not)

3. Daily necessities

• Photos of friends and family

• Souvenirs from Singapore

• Recipes or “food mixes”

• Anything else to help you to settle inTake note of restricted items: www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/index.htm

If you choose to carry 10,000 euros or more (or its equivalent in other currencies) in cash/cheques/bankers’ draft, you must declare to customs officers when arriving in the UK. www.gov.uk/bringing-cash-into-uk

4. Fun stuff

• Toiletries, clothes, footwear – you can buy these there

Pre-departure Checklist

Valid passport and visa Decision letter for BRP Proof of acceptance Welcome Pack Proof of financial support Proof of accommodation Insurance Bank draft/credit card/cash Confirmed flight ticket Emergency Contacts Vaccinations and checkups Exit permit for NSmen

Appropriate clothing & footwear

First aid kit

Medication

Adaptors and chargers

Umbrella/raincoat

Toiletries/electronics etc

Laptop and camera

Photos and souvenirs

Foodstuff

Passport photos

Arriving in the UK

Once you’re there

• Follow the instructions in your Welcome Pack• Attend the orientation • Acquaint yourself with the student services• Singaporeans should e-register themselves on MFA’s website• There may be similar services for other nationalities• Collect your BRP from the post office• Police Registration within 7 days of arrival – see passport• Find out emergency numbers – police, ambulance, or campus security• Contact your family and stay in touch!

1. First things first

Once you’re there

• Familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Explore!

• Keep yourself updated with the daily local news.

• Talk to new people – don’t keep to yourself.

• Join HOST. HOST is a voluntary organisation with a network of UK residents, who invite international students to their homes.

• Please apply online at

www.hostuk.org.uk.

2. Settling in

Once you’re there

• Be safe – don’t wander around alone at night

• Look out for nearest security posts/police stations near home

• Beware of pickpockets

• Be mindful of your surroundings

• Don’t leave your valuables lying around

• Don’t leave large amounts of cash in the room

• If confronted, give up your valuables and do not resist

The UK is generally considered to be a safe place but it is a good idea to be on the side of caution.

3. Safety

Quiz Time

What’s wrong with these pictures?

Quiz Time

Imagine you are travelling in a non-English speaking country. Two ladies (who look like locals) approach you with a map for directions. Do you think they are lost and

a) are looking for someone who speaks English?

b) you look nice and approachable?

c) you look confident and know where you are going?

d) none of the above

Quiz Time

What do you do when you lose your passport? Pick where appropriate.

a) Inform your university

b) Don’t worry about it till you are about to head home

c) Call home and get parents to apply for new passport

d) Report police

e) Apply for a new visa

f) Contact Singapore Overseas Missions

g) Inform ICA

Quiz Time

What do you do when you lose your passport? Pick where appropriate.

a) Inform your university

(Yes. Your student record may need to be updated.)

b) Don’t worry about it till you are about to head home

(Surely you’re smarter than this?)

c) Call home and get parents to apply for new passport

(Passport must be applied/collected in person.)

d) Report police (Yes. Please keep a copy of the report.)

e) Apply for a new visa (depends)

f) Contact Singapore Overseas Missions (Yes. You would need new travel documents to return home.)

g) Inform ICA (Yes. It has to be reported within 14 days of the loss. See ICA website.)

In case of emergencies

• Make your own list of emergency contacts

• Embassies/High Commissions : www.mfa.gov.sg

• Local emergency number : 999

• Credit card and bank telephone numbers

• Ensure the university has your next of kin contact details

Once you’re there

• Anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country.

1. Honeymoon Phase 2. Negotiation Phase 3. “Everything is ok” Phase 4. Reverse Culture Shock

• Expectations too high?• Recognise and talk to friends about it• Support groups on campus

4. Culture Shock

• Be prepared that things may be done in a different pace or different way

• Respect others

• Act in ways to be respected too

• Be open-minded, and prepare yourself well by reading up beforehand

• You are representing yourself, your culture and your country

5. Be mature and recognise differences

Once you’re there

Living in the UK

www.educationuk.org/singapore

www.facebook.com/BritishCouncilSingapore

Creating Confidence First Steps Life in the UK

What do you think your new life will be like in the UK?

•Exciting

•Rewarding

•Different

The UK is a vibrant and exciting place to live and study in.

Get ready for the adventure!