NUin England Program Details
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Please review this important information about NUin England. If you have questions about any of the below items, please contact Elizabeth Shaw at 617-373-4308 or e.shaw@neu.edu
Arrival & Orientation Schedule
Arrival Orientation at the Foundation for International Education in London (FIE) will take place Thursday, August 14 and Friday, August 15. Classes will begin on Monday, August 18.
1. On arrival, students will be greeted by FIE's Residence Life Staff. Once given time to settle in, students will meet with their Residence Assistants who will briefly go over information on their residence, answer any initial questions or concerns and take the students on a walking tour of the local area, pointing out amenities and FIE buildings.
2. Arrival Orientation sessions will take place the day after arrival and includes:
- Academic Orientation Session: Topics include, What to expect in a British Academic system, Study Centre Information, Library, IT, schedules, etc .
- Life Orientation Session: Topics include culture differences, health & safety, residence life policies & procedures, getting involved in activities with FIE, London and more.
3. Tours with professional Blue Badge Guides will also take place within a few days of arrival:
- Blue Badge Guide Walking Tour of Kensington(the local area)
- Blue Badge Guide Coach Tour of London
4. A West End Theatre Performance, show and date TBA
5. Welcome Reception with FIE Staff, date and venue TBA
Banking
You will not be able to open a UK bank account. We recommend that you use your U.S. bank account and ATM card while in England. Check with your bank so you know how much international ATM fees are before your arrival. Be sure to inform your bank or credit card company before you leave the U.S. that you will be making transactions from England for the next few months so they do not question your account activity and consequently freeze your account. Also, be sure to have the international help/service telephone numbers for your bank and credit card company. Travelers's checks are not a good option as they are not widely accepted.
Computers, Telephone & Internet
Cell phones
You are required to have a cell phone in England. However, we do not recommend that you buy a cell phone in the U.S. with an international plan, but rather buy a cell phone in England. FIE works closely with PicCell Wireless; students will buy cell phones through this provider while in country.
Computers and Internet
Computers/Laptops
You may bring a laptop with you if you choose. If you do not, you will have access to computers at the computer lab in your residence hall (Metrogate), which includes 32 PCs with internet/email access available 24 hours per day.
Internet
Internet may be accessed at the Metrogate's computer lab and wireless internet service is also available.
Skype
Skype is a free telephony service through the internet. This is a great way to stay in touch with your family and friends. An optional Skype training session will take place for parents after the Welcome Dinner on the first night of Pre-departure Orientation. Find out more about Skype at http://www.skype.com/.
Civic Engagement
Volunteering is a required part of your study abroad experience. You will volunteer three hours a week as part of the Global Experience course. Volunteering opportunities will not be arranged by FIE, but through the Kensington & Chelsea Volunteer Centre (K & CVC) http://www.voluntarywork.org.uk/. K & CVC will do their best to place students at a site that fits their skills and interests. You will also need to have a police check done before you depart. Please download your NUin England Checklist for more information about signing up to volunteer.
Imperial College Student Union
All NUin students are provided with an Associate Membership to Imperial College Student Union (http://www.imperialcollegeunion.com/). You may use this membership to sign up to clubs/societies when the college is in session. You can view Imperial College Term Dates and a full directory of clubs on their Web site (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/registry/information/termdates). Outside university term dates and during holidays, the membership card is still good for access to the student cafe and events.
Gym Facilities
FIE does not have free gym facilities and you may not use Imperial College Gym. FIE is affiliated with the following local fitness centers:
- Club Kensington: Students may sign up for membership on a monthly basis. We also provide free three-day passes if they want to explore it first. Access http://www.clubkensington.com/ for the FIE discounted price.
- Kensington Leisure Centre: This is a fitness centre run by the local council, and thus no membership is needed. You just pay as you go. Swimming is £3.80, the gym is £5.80 and classes are between £4 and £6. More information is available on their Web site: http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/Sport/KensingtonSportsCentre/default.asp.
FIE Pre-departure Handbook
Useful information about packing, currency, and more is available in FIE's Pre-Departure Handbook. Rules specific to NUin students will be discussed in greater detail at the FIE orientation.
Health Insurance/ Medical Assistance
Contact your current healthcare provider to find out if you currently have international coverage. If you do not, NU requires that you buy an option in order to be covered. You will also need to provide Northeastern with documentation of international health insurance. See the NUin England Checklist for more information. Additionally, NUin England students are covered by International SOS, the price of which is included in the cost of the program. International SOS is the world's largest medical assistance company and manager of international medical risk, but is not a medical insurance provider. ISOS cards will be distributed before your flight departs for England.
ISOS provides fast solutions to protect your health and well being, whether it's a critical medical emergency or helping find the most appropriate health care for you, anywhere in the world. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, International SOS has the unique capability to bring together a host of integrated services and solutions for clients through emergency assistance, medical services and management of the delivery of health care. For more information about ISOS, visit http://www.internationalsos.com/en/forindividuals.htm
What is the difference between medical assistance and health insurance?
Medical & Evacuation Assistance (International SOS): Medical & Evacuation Assistance is help when you need it, anytime of the day or night, anywhere in the world. A staff of more than 3,700 dedicated employees with over 1,000 healthcare professionals and multilingual coordinators covering more than 77 languages fulfills the needs of customers while traveling or living abroad with extensive medical, security, travel and online services.
Health Insurance: Health Insurance is the reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during an emergency, medical visit, etc. The act of insuring, or assuring, against loss or damage by a contingent event; a contract whereby, for a stipulated consideration, called premium, one party undertakes to indemnify or guarantee another against loss by certain specified risks. Additional student health insurance is provided by Endsleigh. This insurance is provided as part of your fees and there is no application process. In order to set up an appointment while in England, telephone DoctorCall at (0) 207 291 4649 (011 44 207 291 4649 from the US). Doctors make house calls in the event of an emergency.
Housing / Laundry
All NUin students and Resident Advisors will be housed in the same residence hall.
- NUin students will be living in the same residence hall with students in other programs but they will only share rooms with other NUin students.
- FIE policy is to inform students of their specific housing details 30 days prior to arrival, although we will provide this information sooner, if we have it. Students could be placed in any of three main accommodations: Metrogate, Manson Place or Hyde Park Gate. See FIE's web site: http://fie.org.uk/fie/study/housing for more information. All students must sign a housing agreement with FIE.
- Coin-operated laundry facilities are available at Metrogate for use by FIE residents. Wash is £2.20; the Dryer starts at 20 pence for 12 minutes.
NUin Pre-departure Orientation
You are required to attend the NUin Pre-departure Orientation this summer at Northeastern from August 9-12, 2008. Housing and food for this orientation is included in the cost of the program; travel to/from the Boston campus is not. The orientation will cover topics such as: NU policies, conduct and safety, conflict resolution, Skype workshop, blogging workshop, cross-cultural communication simulation, perspectives from abroad student panel, and team building. You must register for the orientation by May 9 through your myNEU Admitted Student Portal. Please note: You will receive information about Spring Orientation later this fall.
Printing
You will be able to print from the printing lab at Metrogate for five pence per page. Each student receives 10 pages free at the start of the program.
Student Support
FIE has a broad student support service to maintain student welfare and stability throughout the semester. In addition to NUin's Site Director and 2 Resident Advisors, FIE provides the following:
- A Student Life Department, which is situated off the Student Common room at Foundation House. This office maintains an open door policy during office hours for students with any concerns to drop in.
- A fully trained team of Residence Assistants (RA) are available for students. If a student's RA is not available in his/her residence the RA on call is always available and can be contacted via the Metrogate Reception number provided to students.
- A counselor, Dr. Deborah Hill, who all students can be referred to free of charge to see throughout their study abroad program. Should students need further help Dr. Hill can refer students to psychiatrists and/or other medical help.
FIE staff will work closely with students who require further academic support in order to accommodate their needs. Although FIE staff will communicate with their faculty, students are also advised to communicate directly with the faculty to discuss their course requirements and their need for accommodations.
Students with Disabilities
To receive disability-related academic accommodations, students are required to provide documents that establish the special accommodations made for them at their home institution. This information is kept with the Administration and Academic Services Manager.
Visa
You will need to obtain a Pre-Entry Clearance (PEC) through the British Consulate before departing for England. Be sure to apply early; we recommend starting the process by May 15. Read this document http://fie.org.uk/content/upload/documents/PEC_advice.pdf for additional instructions. A PEC will cost about $208.