TCSU International Freshers' Handbook 2018–2019

Trinity College Students’ Union

International Freshers’ Handbook 2018–2019

WELCOME TO TRINITY! Congrats! You made it! Soon, you’ll be joining the best Oxbridge college (this is a totally unbiased opinion). I promise you that this will be an unforgettable time of your life. Get excited!

Being one of the largest colleges, we are lucky to have a very diverse student body with lots of international students. Freshers’ Week may seem quite intimidating at first as you get to meet so many people. Trust me, everyone is feeling exactly like you. A few weeks down the line, you’ll find yourself calling Trin ‘home’! Don’t be afraid of reaching out to people; believe me when I tell you these are probably some of the best friendships you’ll make. Actually, during my first night at Trinity, I went around knocking on doors since I hadn’t met many people yet, and I got to meet one of my best friends now!

Trinity offers you lots of opportunities besides excellence in academia. You can join sports teams, the choir or decide to go travelling using our amazing Dunlevie Fund. I can guarantee that you’ll find something that will interest you, and if not, you can create your own society!

The International Freshers’ Week is a chance for you to have some extra time before domestic students arrive and the college-wide TCSU Freshers’ Week begins. This is the perfect opportunity for you to meet our iTCSU committee, ask any questions and settle into the beautiful town of Cambridge.

This guide should provide you with all the information you need to settle into your Trinity life, specifically as an international student. Please also refer to the TCSU Freshers’ Handbook, for more general information about starting your journey as a Fresher.

For now, enjoy the rest of your summer. Life here can be intense, but I promise it’s totally worth it! There is no need to stress – if you ever need any help, remember the iTCSU is here to assist you with anything and everything. If you have any concerns or queries before coming here, feel free to email me at overseas@tcsu.net or on Facebook (Areeg Ashraf Emarah). You should also join the “Official Trinity College Cambridge International Freshers 2018/2019” Facebook group at https://web.facebook.com/groups/1861282420575374/?_rdc=1&_rdr for several updates from us.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon! iTCSU Love, Areeg Emarah, Overseas Welfare Officer.

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TIMETABLE Wednesday 26th September iTCSU Helpdesk Information Session Tour of Town Afternoon Snacks International Freshers’ Welcome Reception

Location Great Gate JCR Great Gate Bar/Café Bar/Café

Times 09:00-18:30 14:00-14:30 14:30-15:30 16:00-18:00 20:00-22:00

Thursday 27th September iTCSU Helpdesk Information Session Tour of Town Punting Tea + Doughnuts International Freshers’ Welcome Reception Film Night

Location Great Gate JCR Great Gate Trinity Backs Bar/Café Bar/Café JCR

Times 09:00-18:30 10:30-11:00 11:00-12:00 12:30-14:00 14:00-18:00 20:00-22:00 20:30-23:30

Friday 28th September iTCSU Helpdesk Information Session Tour of Town Punting Afternoon Snacks International Freshers’ Welcome Reception Games Night

Location Great Gate JCR Great Gate Great Gate Bar/Café Bar/Café JCR

Times 09:00-18:30 10:30-11:00 11:00-12:00 14:00-15:30 16:00-18:00 20:00-22:00 20:30-23:00

JCR = Junior Combination Room PLEASE NOTE: ● Make sure you attend an Information Session and a Tour of Town (they are the same on each day), as they will be very useful to help answer any questions you may have. ● All the social events are optional – don’t be afraid that you’ll miss out on anything. The priority for you during this week is to settle into Trinity! ● In case of rain, the iTCSU Helpdesk will be moved into the Old College Office.

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iCUSU (International Cambridge University Students’ Union) will also be running events for Freshers across the university. These events are run independently of ours and will feature Freshers from different colleges – feel free to attend these. Below is their timetable:

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HOW THIS GUIDE IS STRUCTURED There are many things to organise when getting here, and this handbook is designed to make it all easier – just follow the things in this guide step-by-step, and you’ll be ready in no time!

When to arrive ........................................................................................................................ 7 Getting to Cambridge ............................................................................................................... 9 Meet our committee! ............................................................................................................... 11 Getting a UK phone number .................................................................................................... 18 Setting up a UK bank account ................................................................................................. 19 Registering with a GP – Healthcare ......................................................................................... 21 Register with the police (for some non-EU students) ............................................................ 24 Getting around ........................................................................................................................ 25

We have also included some information that you may find useful: What to bring (and not bring) .................................................................................................. 27 Culture Shock .......................................................................................................................... 29 Weather ……........................................................................................................................... 31 Optional things to set up ......................................................................................................... 32 Contacts & useful links ........................................................................................................... 34

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WHEN TO ARRIVE Cambridge is full of ancient rules and regulations – and there’s no exception with the term dates! There are three Cambridge terms, which are each officially eight weeks long (“full term”), but there are a few days on either side where you can stay for a bit longer. Domestic students arrive on Saturday 29th September, while most internationals arrive between Wednesday 26th and Friday 28th September, with Wednesday being the first day they can arrive.

You should email the accommodation office (accommodation@trin.cam.ac.uk) with the dates that you intend to arrive and give a reason if you need to arrive earlier than 26th September. If you live in the Wolfson Building or Angel Court, you’ll probably have to vacate your room by Saturday 1st December to make room for interviews. This time will be deducted from your rent!

For subsequent terms, you can arrive on the Saturday before full term starts, and leave, at latest, the Friday the week after full term ends. Remember this when booking your flights! Check the Accommodation Handbook for more information.

In addition, note that the week after the end of full term in Easter is called May Week (and yes, it is in June, confusingly). It is definitely worth staying in Cambridge for May Week – it is packed full of garden parties and May Balls, with the Trinity May Ball in mid-June every year.

If you want to stay in Trinity over any of the breaks, you will need to speak to your tutor for details, but for international students living on the other side of the world it’s definitely possible. The Accommodation Office sends out exeat forms at the end of each term, and you can indicate your intention to stay over the breaks with this form.

Term dates: ● Michaelmas: Tuesday 2 October to Friday 30 November ● Lent: Tuesday 15 January to Friday 15 March ● Easter: Tuesday 23 April to Friday 14 June Future term dates can be found at: https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/term-dates-and-calendars

Great Court, by the fountain

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When you arrive: When you get to Trinity, go to the Porter’s Lodge (which is open 24/7), and let them know that you’ve arrived. They’ll give you your Welcome Packs, and get you set up as quickly as possible. During International Freshers’ Week, someone on the Committee will be at the iTCSU Helpdesk at Great Gate (or Old College Office if it’s pouring with rain). Ask the Porters for help to find it and come say hello – we can help with anything that’s needed and we are more than happy to show you to your room.

International Freshers’ Week will have lots of fun events but don’t feel pressured to attend them all. We advise you to unpack first and getting a bit tidier might be helpful in the future.

Also, it’s just good to get used to your room!

Great Court, the fountain during winter

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GETTING TO CAMBRIDGE Airports: You are most likely to be coming here on an aeroplane, and landing in one of London’s many airports. Don’t be fooled into thinking they are all the same! If you’re coming from Europe, you should definitely look into any flights that fly to Stansted Airport; it is the closest to Cambridge, and there are regular train services that only take 30 minutes to get here. Not only is the whole process quicker, but a good deal cheaper too.

Rail connections to Cambridge: If you are flying from elsewhere, or simply not landing in Stansted, you’re probably going to have to go through Central London. All London airports offer a service to Central London, and once there, it is easy to get to Cambridge. Trains leave every 30 minutes from King’s Cross station, and if you go on the fast, non-stop ones, it only takes 45 minutes to get to Cambridge.

There are services from Liverpool Street as well, but they only leave every hour and take one and a half hours to get to Cambridge, so we don’t recommend them!

Coaches to Cambridge: Taking a coach is a bit cheaper compared to the train, but it does take a lot longer. There are coaches from all the airports to Cambridge, as well as from Central London – from Victoria Station. Just a tip: if you have several pieces of luggage, coaches may be better as you have more storage space!

From the Train Station: When you get here, the easiest way to get to the College is to get a taxi – walking would take about half an hour, or possibly even more with luggage! You can pick one up right outside the train station, and it costs at most £10 to get to the College. Just tell the driver, “Trinity College Great Gate” and they’ll know where to take you. However, be aware that Great Gate is located on Trinity Street, which is within the Cambridge City Centre Controlled Pedestrian Zone. Car access is restricted by Cambridgeshire County Council using rising bollards between the hours of 10am and 4pm (Monday-Saturday), so the taxi may have to drop you off a bit further away from the Great Gate.

Alternatively, you can take the bus for around £3 to the city centre, but you would still need to walk for about 10 minutes, and the bus system in Cambridge is not terribly reliable…

Useful links: ● Comparing flight options: o https://www.skyscanner.net/ (Tip: use incognito mode to avoid price rises due to your search history) o https://www.google.co.uk/flights/ ● To see train times and book tickets: https://www.thetrainline.com/ ● To see coach times, and book tickets: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

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Some recommended travel routes to Cambridge Please note that booking in advance is usually cheaper than booking on the day and the fares listed below reflect this range. All listed prices are for online bookings.

From Stansted Airport: ● Direct train to Cambridge: o Frequency: about every 30 minutes o Duration: 30 minutes o Fare: £7.50 - £10.40 ● Direct coach to Cambridge: o Frequency: about every hour o Duration: 50 minutes o Fare: About £10 regardless of booking time From Heathrow Airport: ● Take a train to London Paddington station (£10.30 - £22.00) ● From London Paddington station, take the Underground Circle Line or Hammersmith and City Line to London King’s Cross St. Pancras Underground station (about £2.40) ● From King’s Cross, take a direct train to Cambridge (about £24.40 regardless of booking time) Alternatively, take a taxi directly from Heathrow to Trinity College (about £100 pounds if you pre-book the taxi, so it may be worth it if you have other people to split the fare with!)

From Luton Airport: ● Take a train to London St Pancras International station, then walk to King’s Cross (£12.70 - £16.90) ● From King’s Cross, take a direct train to Cambridge (about £24.40 regardless of booking time) ● Alternatively, take the direct Coach to Cambridge: o Frequency: every 2 hours o Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes o Fare: £23 pounds From Gatwick Airport: ● Take a train to London St Pancras International station, then walk to King’s Cross (£10.70 - £26.70) ● From King’s Cross, take a direct train to Cambridge (about £24.40 regardless of booking time)

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MEET OUR COMMITTEE! Areeg Emarah (Second year Engineering, Kenya + Egypt) Hey humans! I belong to two worlds, I was born in Egypt and it’s where my parents are from, but I have spent my entire life in Kenya. Interesting fact: As I was typing this, I learnt that Princess Elizabeth learned that she became the Queen on her trip to Kenya. Coming to the UK was quite a cultural shock. The food, weather and even how people interacted was super different. However, I think I have grown a lot during this year because there’s so much you learn from meeting different people, being in a new country and just living independently!

I’ve tried out a lot of new things during my first year - rowing, representing organisations such as Pink Week and CATS, being a caller on the college Telethon, photography (follow @the_afro_arab on Instagram to find out more ;p) among many other things! I am also part of the group of students that started May Week Alternative.

I’m super excited to welcome you to Trinity and provide you with any support that I can! Don’t be afraid to ask any questions. Being a fresher can be confusing and making the transition into a new country by yourself is a challenge. We are all here to help you have the smoothest time possible. If you’re ever missing home, want to have a chat or just want to grab a meal, please get in touch! You can get to me by email at overseas@tcsu.net or ae407@cam.ac.uk , or via Facebook (Areeg Ashraf Emarah).

Filip Wronowski (Second year Medicine, Poland) Hi smart creatures! Hope you’re looking forward to the next 3, 4 or 6 years of your life. I’m here to provide entertainment and possibly ease your transition into uni life. If you’re in a mood for a chat about medicine or science (Trinity College Science Society and CU SciSoc committee member, and part of a group at MRC Cancer Unit) or the choice of wine at Sainsbury’s, give me a shout on Facebook/ email fw331@cam.ac.uk. I’m looking forward to seeing you all!

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Suhaa Mahmood (Second year Engineering, UK) Hey! I’m Suhaa, British-Pakistani and from London.

Technically speaking I’m not ‘International’ so I don’t have any memories of International Freshers’ Week last year… but I assure you that this year will be lit (British slang for amazing)! I love playing netball, running and engineering (apparently) since I’m on TWO engineering societies this year (Trinity College Engineering Society ‘TCES’ and Cambridge University Engineering Society ‘CUES’) which you can feel free to talk to me about. I also do Kickboxing, so if you want to hear more about Cambridge University Kickboxing Society ‘CUKBS’ or more specifically how we BEAT O*FORD last year then shout my name if you see me or shoot me a message on Facebook (Suhaa Mahmood) if that’s less awkward... and random. I hope you all have a wonderful time this year!

Everyone is new so don’t worry if you forget stuff; just ask me, anyone on the Committee, the Porters or your Tutor any questions you have! Starting at Cambridge can be quite daunting so please please feel free to send me a message/email (sm2298@cam.ac.uk) about any worries or thoughts you have because I GUARANTEE that I had/still have the exact same! Also, I’m always on hand for an excuse to get bubble tea/coconut rice/desserts from Soboro Bakery if you want advice/a lesson in British slang.

Rosie Cates (Second year Maths, UK)

excuse to eat cake

Hi! I’m Rosie, a second year mathematician. I enjoy playing lots of netball (similar to basketball, and very friendly!) with Cambridge University Ladies Netball Club; I also love running (slowly!), learning languages and baking. I was both nervous and excited before I started at Trinity last year and was happy to discover when I got here how friendly everyone was, and willing to chat/help with anything and everything. Starting university may feel like a big step, but it’s also hugely exciting, and everyone else is also new and feeling much the same! I hope you will have an amazing time here at Trinity over the next few years. Please feel free to email me (rac211@cam.ac.uk) or drop me a message on Facebook (Rosie Cates) at any point (either before you get here or over the coming year).

Equally, please randomly stop me around college if you fancy a chat, advice on where to buy saucepans, or an I can’t wait to meet you all soon!!!

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Chloé Caron (Second year Engineering, France) Hello! I’m Chloé and I’m really excited to meet you all during the International Freshers’ Week. Technically I’m from France, but I have also lived in Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands, England and Russia. Coming to Cambridge is a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world and from a wide range of subjects. Being here has allowed me to try lots of new things like rowing, engineering societies and even clock winding. Don’t worry if you’re feeling nervous, we’re here to help you settle in and enjoy your time here! Feel free to stop me if you see me around; if you have any questions, you can drop me an email (cmlc3@cam.ac.uk) or send me a message on Facebook (Chloe Caron). Looking forward to meeting you and seeing new faces around.

Kelly Wing (Second year Linguistics, Hong Kong) Hey! I’m Kelly, a 2nd year Linguistics student from Hong Kong. Things you need to know about me: I love food (especially Japanese), I love figure skating, never penny me at formals (you’ll find out what this means soon enough) — also go join the Trinity volleyball team… it’s definitely the best team in college (shameless promotion!!). Add me on Facebook and drop me a message if you ever want to meet up or chat (or give me free cookies) or simply drop me an email at lkw33@cam.ac.uk. I still remember how much of a difficult transition it was when I first arrived (especially since I had gone to the same school for 14 years!! ):) from homesickness to the pain of different food to the workload.

Hanging out with new friends was definitely the best remedy for that! Looking forward to meeting you all

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Hazel Ng (Second year Law, Singapore) Hi everyone, I’m Hazel, a second year Lawyer from Singapore.

I’m really excited to be part of this year’s International Freshers’ Week and to meet everyone! Around this time last year, the transition to university seemed daunting but I remember the moment I arrived at the Great Gate of Trinity College, I was greeted by such warm smiles from the iTCSU team. The rest of the week was filled with lots of “Hi! I’m Hazel, what’s your name? What do you study? Where’s home for you?”-s, but in the process, I met some amazing people whom I’m so lucky to call my friends! I really hope that you will enjoy your time here as Trinity and Cambridge will soon become your second home.

Feel free to speak to me if you need any help at all(hkjn2@cam.ac.uk), be it how to get to places, how to book formals, life in general or even where to stock up on the best Asian snacks…I’ve got you covered! See you soon Afia Addai (Second year Law, Ghana) Hi everyone! My name is Afia (Ay-fee-yah) from Ghana. I love fashion and photography and often combine these two passions on my Instagram (@afidai) and tumblr (@afidai). I also generally love to draw but “specialize” in portraits in pencil. When I was coming to Cambridge I knew that while my main focus was going to be on my academics, I still wanted to make time for all the other things I was interested in. Now as an international student, I quickly realized that sometimes there are opportunities to do what you’re interested in, but not in the form you’re used to. It can also be difficult trying to find a group you fit in, especially if you’re coming from a racially homogenous country. So it’s important to keep an open mind. Don’t be scared to approach people to say hi, or to try new things. Uni is the place where you actually discover who you are (sounds cheesy but it’s so true!) and we’re all here to help you through it. So if you see me around don’t be scared to say hi. You can also reach me on my email at aoa35@cam.ac.uk and my Facebook at Afia Addai. Can’t wait to see you guys

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Rui Li (Second year Engineering, China) Hi there! I’m Rui, a second year engineer from China. You have chosen a great place to spend the next 3 or 4 years and I’m sure you will enjoy your time at Cambridge but settling into it can be challenging. I still remember how excited but also worried I was about my new uni life before I came to Cambridge last year, as it was the first time that I had lived and studied in a different country.

However, my worries were immediately dispelled by the warmest welcome that I received from the international freshers’ team on the first day I arrived. Then in the following international freshers’ week, I made some of my best friends here in Cambridge. That’s why I joined the team this year — I want to be one of those lovely people who is always there to help you out when you are new to everything, or even for anytime in the future! I hope that our international students’ family will make Cambridge feel like home In the meantime, if you want to chat about life, study, FOOD or whatever with me, feel free to drop me an email at rl574@cam.ac.uk or find me on Facebook (Rui Li). I can’t wait to see you all!

Anna Laletina (Second year Economics, Russia) Hi there! I hope you guys are already looking forward to your best 3 or 4 years (or maybe even more)! My first year at Cambridge started off with International Freshers’ Week, which was the time I met most of my best friends, tried loads of activities, some of which I’m still doing now, explored the university and realised what a great place it is. I joined the committee to ensure you guys at least have as much fun as I did during my first year in Cambridge. If you feel like chatting or asking anything, you can always get in touch with me via email (al867@cam.ac.uk) or Facebook (Anna Laletina). We are always there to help you around and keep you happy and smiling, so feel free to come up to us whenever you want!

Wouldn’t say that I am the best person to talk about academics, but I am always ready to chat about social life, sports (ROWING), literally anything! It may seem really hard to get used to another culture and socialise at the same time, but this is exactly why we are here, and we will do everything to make the process of changing your lifestyle as smooth and pleasant as possible! Huge congrats on making it, get ready for the best years in your life! I really can’t wait to see you all!

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Kada Williams (Second year Maths, Hungary) Greetings! I'm Kada (caw-duh), a fan of Impressionism and of harmless craziness (and math of course). You’ll find me talking particularly passionately (even if amateurishly) about psychology or philosophy or music. If I really had to summarize what my first year felt like, I'd say it was like a bumpy road trip guided by idealism instead of sensible traffic signs -- not always fun but worth it. So, feel free to ask me about anything you're concerned about, and I'll try to be the wise person about it.

Hit me up anytime on FB (kada.williams.54) or through Hermes email (kkw25@cam.ac.uk).

Dan Mirea (Fourth year Natural Sciences, Romania) Hi guys, Dan here! First of all massive congrats to all of you for getting in! Having been in Cambridge for quite some time I know that, despite all the good parts which you’ll slowly discover, it can be quite intense especially as you are adjusting to the new lifestyle. But have absolutely no worries: this is exactly why we’re here! My advice for you is to never let go of the enthusiasm and confidence that you have stepping into this new world and to take advantage of the variety of things it has to offer. If you have any questions about anything or you simply want to talk your worries away, feel free to reach me either in person or on Facebook (Dan Mirea), Instagram (@lesheureuxesprits) or Hermes email (dmm66@cam.ac.uk). Also applicable if you feel like having a chat about science, languages (including some practice), fashion or just engage in spontaneous philosophical discussion. Can’t wait to meet you all!

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POINTS OF CONTACT If you have any questions or require any sort of help, here are some people you can get in contact with: iTCSU – Welcome Headquarters: First of all, you can find help from the iTCSU Committee by going to Great Gate (or the Old College Office if it’s raining, which is directly on the left on entering through Great Gate). If you can’t find it, just ask a Porter – they are happy to help. Come by as soon as you’ve picked up your Welcome Packs from the Porter’s Lodge, we’d all love to meet you!

Overseas contacts: Soon (if not already) you will be assigned to an international Trinity undergraduate who will get in touch with you via email. It’d be a good idea to meet up with them, as they can probably give you the best advice on settling in.

College parents: College parents are undergraduates who’ve agreed to help out by taking you on as ‘children’ to look after. They can give you good advice, and probably tell you about anything that was missed out in official guides (which you have totally all read… right?).

Burrell’s Walk in autumn

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GETTING A UK PHONE NUMBER Having a UK phone number is quite essential, not just for practical reasons, but social ones as well. To set up a bank account, you will most likely be asked to provide a contact number, and banks, or other services, may have to contact you in the future.

Be aware that when setting up a monthly or yearly contract, you will be asked for confirmation from your bank. So, if your bank account has not been set up yet, you may have to go with a pay-as-you-go SIM card at first. Once you have confirmed your bank account, it is easy to convert this to a monthly or yearly plan.

It’ll be easiest for you to get your phone unlocked (unattached to any single provider) before you come to Cambridge. Otherwise, you may run into difficulties when you try to set up your UK SIM card. Alternatively, some students opt for a phone which supports two SIM cards.

Students from the EU may note that recently roaming rates were standardised across the EU, but a UK number could still be useful – especially with Brexit looming, and the future of these roaming rates remaining uncertain.

When choosing a provider, it is best to consider your options. Some, like Giffgaff, allow you to be ‘invited’ by an existing subscriber, which gives both of you a small bonus. Others offer deals, like EE, which provides Apple Music for 6 months to new pay monthly customers.

We’ve put together a small list below of the most common providers. We highly recommend you go on the providers’ websites and read up on what they offer yourselves, to see what price range and features are the right ones for you. You can also visit the stores in person – there are many of them located in the Grand Arcade/Lion Yard shopping centre in Central Cambridge. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

EE (including 4GEE, Orange, T-Mobile) Giffgaff Vodafone O2 Tesco Mobile Virgin Mobile Lebara LycaMobile

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SETTING UP A UK BANK ACCOUNT The UK banking system is incredibly convenient and simple to use. On opening a bank account, you will quickly be issued a debit card that can be used in virtually all stores – of course, you can still use cash if you prefer, but you may find the card to be more convenient.

In the UK, transaction fees between banks are free, and the majority of accounts have no monthly fees – you can even withdraw money from most ATMs without charge, though be careful when using those in Sainsbury’s and M&S, where only some banks can do so for free.

Cheques can be cashed to your account for free as well, but international transactions do carry fees that can be quite steep.

The earlier you can make an appointment for a bank, the better, because when you arrive almost all students will be looking to do the same, and the banks can get booked up quickly. You’ll need a letter from your Tutorial Office, which is addressed to the specific bank you’ve chosen.

A good idea is to ask your tutor to have this ready for you on arrival, but just remember you need to specify the bank where you want to open an account and perhaps other details (e.g. the branch).

Most banks offer similar free, basic accounts – with a debit card, online banking, and negligible interest rates. Premium accounts may offer insurance, or easier international banking, but could also come with monthly fees or a minimum amount that has to be maintained in the account.

Whether you need an account like this is up to you, but chances are the answer is no.

With most accounts, you can also ask for a free chequebook – while cheques are the slowest form of payment, they are also one of the most secure, and are sometimes offered as an option in the UK. Some banks also offer an overdraft limit, which actually lets you withdraw more than you have in your account. These do, sometimes, come with very high interest rates, so be careful and check beforehand!

If you’ve lived in the UK for three years, you might be eligible for a regular student account, which is likely to come with more perks, such as free cinema tickets. While some banks offer international student accounts, these differ from regular student ones, and you should ask what the difference is. A free savings account is also an option at most banks, which could be a good idea if you want to store any sum of money with slightly better interest rates.

A UK bank account will be necessary for EU students, as bursaries are paid directly into your personal UK bank account.

The following banks offer basic accounts with no monthly fees, and have branches within a 5minute walk from Trinity. They all have online banking as well, and offer debit cards! As always, check online, and compare for yourself if you want to be sure. But, in truth, most of them offer pretty much the same, and you shouldn’t worry too much about which bank you choose.

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Santander: With the International Student Current Account, you’ll get the following: ● 3% AER/2.96% gross (variable) on balances up to a maximum of £500. ● One free deposit of a foreign cheque each month. ● A Visa debit card (contactless may be an option). ● Retailer Offers - earn cashback of up to 15% at a range of major retailers when you use your Santander Visa debit card.

However, sometimes a £5 monthly fee may be taken from your account.

Barclays: With an International Students Account, you will be able to: ● Send payments using just a mobile number to over 30 countries with Pingit ● Pay with a personalised, contactless debit card or Apple Pay and Contactless Mobile ● You can get cashback from over 200 retailers, including Boots and Amazon NatWest: As an international student, you can still apply for a Student Account, with the small difference that you can't apply for the Student Arranged Overdraft that is normally offered with the Student Account. You can still get access to all the other useful features such as: ● A Visa debit card ● Withdraw up to £300 cash a day ● 1/3 off coach travel throughout the UK with its free National Express Young Persons Coachcard, which is valid for 4 years. (Available when you register for online banking and paperless statements once your account has been opened).

Lloyds: With their “Classic” (standard) account, you can get an overdraft (free up to £25) HSBC: With their basic account, you can get a contactless debit card and overdraft with fees.

TSB: With their basic account, you can get an overdraft (free up to £10) You can find more information on regular student accounts here: http://www.savethestudent.org/money/student-banking/student-bank-accounts.html (Note that the limits on overdraft are different for UK students and international students.)

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HEALTHCARE In the UK, healthcare is provided by the National Health Service (NHS), a publicly funded body for UK residents. You are entitled to healthcare if you fulfil any of the following conditions: ● ● ●

Full time students from any country on a course for more than 6 months A student on a course of any length substantially funded by the UK Government From a country which is part of the EU or has a bilateral agreement

By the first condition, all of you should be eligible to use the NHS. While most treatment is free of charge, this does not extend to optical and dental care, and some prescriptions come with charges too.

To access the NHS, you have to register with a local General Practitioner (GP), most of which operate from health centres. In your Welcome Pack, there will be a full list of GPs available and located close to Trinity; it’s best if you choose one and register as soon as you can, because when other students arrive there will be a rush, and as with most things, it’ll all take more time.

The process is quick in itself, mainly involving completing a form about your drinking and smoking habits, as well as some personal information. Just keep in mind, you can only register with one GP at a time.

Bridge Street Medical Centre is the closest to the College, and has several doctors, and nurses - as well as an efficient registration procedure. Due to its convenience, however, some appointments might be scheduled for a long time in advance, especially during the winter terms. Keep in mind, for small things, the College Nurse is also available! Still, it is not a bad idea to buy some basic cold and flu medication.

Depending on your course of choice, there may be internal requirements for occupational health, which will be scheduled and carried out by the Cambridge University Occupational Health Centre located on Mill Lane.

EU Students might want to look into the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), so that your UK registration can be used at home, or vice versa. Check the details of the specific arrangement your country has through EHIC, but usually you’d register in the country you spend more time in - which would most likely be the UK. Of course, as with many other UKEU arrangements, the future of EHIC is uncertain beyond 2019.

If, for some reason, you are not covered by the conditions above, you’ll have to find adequate health insurance to cover your medical needs. Nonetheless, you are still entitled to: ● ● ● ●

Emergency Treatment in the Accident and Emergency department of hospitals Treatment for certain infectious diseases Compulsory Psychiatric Treatment Sexual Health Treatment

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Cambridge is a meningitis hotspot, so as you’ve been warned (or will be warned), it is a good idea to get yourself vaccinated; this is available for free in Cambridge once registered with a GP but this may be possibly done beforehand in your home country.

As for the vaccine itself, it is generally better to get one that is conjugated and not polysaccharide - so that it lasts longer and protects against a number of subtypes (A, C, W135 and Y most importantly).

In general, it would be best to bring a copy of your vaccination records to compare with the compulsory vaccines in the UK. It could be worth checking your country’s Ministry of Health if there is anything else you have to look out for.

Further information about the NHS, GPs, hospitals, costs and anything you can think of can be found through the following links: ● General: http://www.nhs.uk ● Local: http://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk

The Wren Library from the Backs

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Here’s a beautiful view from one of the Wolfson Building rooms

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REGISTERING WITH THE POLICE (FOR NON-EU STUDENTS ONLY) If you are from one of the following countries, or are stateless/travelling on a non-national document (i.e. Travel Document), you need to register with the police: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen In order to register, you need to go to the Overseas Visitors Registration Department (Cambridgeshire Constabulary Parkside Police Station, Cambridge, CB1 1JG) and book an appointment. Alternatively, you could book an appointment by contacting the Overseas Visitors Registration Department by email (OVRD@cambs.pnn.police.uk) or by giving them a telephone call (+44(0)3454564564 and ask for extension 3220). The Overseas Visitors Registration Department is open Monday to Friday (not Bank Holidays) from 10.00-16.00. It is crucial that you do so within the first 7 days after your arrival.

For new students starting their studies in Michaelmas Term 2018, police registration appointments will be available in the University Centre at the start of term on certain days.

These are only for students new to the UK. More information can be found at: https://www.internationalstudents.cam.ac.uk/tier-4-responsibilities/police-registration Failure to register constitutes an offence, which can lead to arrest, prosecution, and a consequent fine of up to £5000 or six months imprisonment, or even both. Warrants for arrest have been issued for students who failed to register in the past, so take this seriously.

You will need: ● Your Passport ● Two passport-sized photos ● £34 for the fee ● Your full name, and address in your home country on a separate sheet of paper. ● A letter from your Tutor, which you should receive in your Welcome Pack, confirming your course and College Address ● Your Spouse’s details (full name, address, birth date) on a separate sheet, if applicable.

Please note that for those of you who have already got a Certificate of Registration (most commonly if you have studied in the UK before coming to Cambridge), there is no need to register again. All you need to do is to go down to the Police Station and ask for your Certificate of Registration to get updated. There is no need to book an appointment in order to do that, but please make sure you do it within 7 days of your arrival.

ALL NON-EU STUDENTS: Within a week of your arrival, visit the Tutorial Office to see the Deputy Tutorial Manager. All she needs is a quick photocopy of your passport and visa.

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GETTING AROUND Cambridge is a rather compact city, and so most of the places you would need to visit regularly are located within a 20-minute walk or 10-minute cycle away from Trinity. For this reason, most people choose to walk or cycle. On particular occasions, such as going to formals at other colleges or travelling late at night (especially on a rainy day), it is also common to call a taxi.

Bike: We would advise you to check with other people on your course before deciding whether to a buy a bike or not. ● Acquiring a bike: You can find second-hand bikes for about £50 - £150 in stores around Cambridge. Carefully consider before getting a brand new bike, as they are not only pricey but also the best target for theft. You can bring your own bike from home, but considering delivery costs and the high theft rate it is not recommended. ● Storage: Trinity can provide a storage space for a registered bike. You will receive an email from the accommodation office about registering bikes at the start of the year. ● Equipment: A strong lock (preferably a D-lock) is necessary to protect your bike.

Though Cambridge is a safe city, bike theft is common. In addition, if you are planning to cycle after dark, a pair of white (frontal) and red (back) lights are required by law.

During winter, Cambridge starts getting dark as early as 4, so do consider getting lights when you purchase a bike. In addition, reflectors are a legal obligation too. ● Maintenance: Most bike shops will let you use their bike pumps if you ask. ● Registering with the police: You can register your bike in the National Cycle Database to protect your bike. Find the details here: www.bikeregister.com ● Road rules: It is important to make yourself familiar with the UK road rules – most significant ones include hand signalling and remembering not to cycle on the pavement.

For more details, visit the government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/thehighway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82. It is also important that you are aware of one-way roads, including Trinity Street.

Taxi: ● Generally, you can get anywhere in Cambridge for no more than £10. Bring cash with you if you are taking a taxi, as they usually require an extra fee for card payment. ● Panther taxis has an app, where you can register your address and bank card details – this can eliminate the need to talk to an operator or having to carry cash around.

Bus: ● The University Bus may be of interest to you if you are visiting West Cambridge, the railway station, or Addenbrookes (the closest hospital). The service is frequent (15-20 minutes interval) during the week and on Saturdays. ● As a member of University, you only have to pay £1 per journey if you present your university card to the driver. ● More details can be found here: https://www.environment.admin.cam.ac.uk/travel/catch-bus

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Train/ Coach: If you are thinking of visiting somewhere outside Cambridge, you’ll most likely have to take a train or coach. Common destinations by train include London and Stansted Airport, or Heathrow Airport by coach. ● Train: You can catch trains at the railway station, which is a 15-minute cycle away from Trinity. Details: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk ● Coach: You can catch a coach at the bus stop next to Parker’s Piece. There is a student discount available when you register for a student coach card. Details can be found at: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx 16-25 Rail Card: The UK National Rail offers a railcard for anyone aged 16-25, which gives you a 33% discount on all train tickets. If you are over 25, you are still eligible, but need to bring your university ID card as evidence, and possibly a letter from the College certifying that you are a student.

You can register online, or at a train station – in either case, you will need a digital or physical passport-sized photo. The price is £30 for a year, and £70 for three years. If you think you’ll be going to London a lot, or just generally travelling around the country, it will definitely be worth it! For more information visit: http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/?source=portal Oyster Cards: Oyster Cards are a convenient way to travel around London. They are small, credit-card sized forms of contactless payment. You can top them up, and then use them to travel around London, be it by Bus or the Underground. You can even attach your railcard to them to get a discount on all off-peak fares! Once more, very much worth it if you think you will be going to London regularly. You can find more info at: https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do

Punting on the river, near the backs

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WHAT TO BRING (AND NOT BRING) DO NOT bring: ● Anything excessive that’ll result in you exceeding your luggage weight limit!

Everything you need you can easily get in Cambridge. It’s probably best to buy inexpensive things like towels/umbrellas/clothes hangers once you’re here. ● Lamps, bed linen and Ethernet cables: Trinity provides these. ● Crockery (e.g. pots/pans/plates): again, these can be easily bought in town! ● Too many books: bring one or two of your favourites, but there are many bookstores in Cambridge (Heffers and Waterstones being notable examples) as well as libraries. Try to keep these at a minimum.

DO bring: ● ●

●

● ●

●

Adapters: UK plugs have three prongs. If you have lots of electrical devices these will be very helpful!

Smart clothes: There are always lots of formal events going on in Cambridge, and one of your first will be Matriculation Dinner. Suits and smart dresses are a common go-to look with national dress also being acceptable.

Warm clothes: British weather can be quite unpredictable, so try and pack in an extra jumper or two if you have them. However, don’t worry, you can always get some clothes when you get here.

Passport-sized photos: A really good idea for your railcards/society membership cards.

All passport, visa and offer related documents: Have these printed or at least photographed on your phone. Airport staff can sometimes be fussy at border control, and you also need these to open a bank account in the UK. EU students should bring passports too – Sainsbury’s often only accepts a passport or driving license as proof of age if you want to buy alcohol!

A laptop: It’s really useful to have one for work but even if you don’t, there are lots of PCs and Macs that you can use within Trinity, as well as retailers in Cambridge that stock them if you need to buy one.

Shopping for household items: Sainsbury’s is right around the corner from Trinity (opposite Sidney Sussex college) and it has a range of products and food. If you want high quality products, then John Lewis and Marks & Spencer are two department stores that will be well-stocked (Marks & Spencer also has a food department with very good quality produce, although more expensive than Sainsbury’s). There are also specialised shops in Cambridge, e.g. Mill Road has shops that stock Asian food and cooking equipment. You can also order goods online.

Money: It’s not unusual for students to end up spending a lot of money at the start of term, so don’t stress if this happens to you! You’ll probably end up spending money on items like a gown (around £40), a matriculation photo (from £10 - £70), a bike (from £40 for a used one to £100 - £200 for a new one), society fees, and household items. Be sure to prepare enough cash to spend on these items until you set up your bank account! If you have a bank account at home you can usually use its debit card in the UK, but be careful as this can entail very high fees. A good idea is to visit a currency exchange service at home and bring pounds with you.

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You should probably only exchange enough money to last you about two weeks, because by that time your UK account should be set up. The money you have left can be cashed into your account at no cost.

After setting up your account you may find that there will be times when you need to receive money from home. The easiest method is by bank transfer, but international transfers usually entail additional fees, are slow, and use unreliable exchange rates.

If you want to save money, consider visiting charity shops (where the revenue is donated to charitable causes). There you can often buy good-quality second-hand items cheaply, including crockery and clothes – useful for any of you fashion-conscious vintage lovers out there! In terms of food, dining in hall is subsidised by college and usually only costs £3 - £4 a meal. It may be cheaper to cook for yourself but some find that it may take up a lot of time, as well as take away opportunities to socialise with people in the dining hall throughout term!

Storage within college: During the vacations, Trinity allows international students to store their belongings in Overseas Storage Spaces. Most students at Trinity vacate their rooms every vacation. It’s not a problem if you need to stay over the vacation as long as you sort it out with the Accommodation Office in advance. To book a slot to move your things into overseas storage, contact the porters at least 24 hours beforehand. Each item must have a label which you should receive an email about near the end of term. Try to put most of your things into cardboard boxes, which can be easily acquired if you ask for spares from any of the shops near Trinity. Packed boxes can be quite heavy and there are often a lot of stairs to go up and down when putting them away, make sure to ask a few of your friends to help you!

Double rainbow over Great Court

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CULTURE SHOCK When you arrive in the UK, you are bound to notice some quirks in the culture – driving on the other side of the road, and small talk on the weather. University is a new experience for everyone, but we know that adjusting can be harder for international students who also need to get used to a new culture. The best way to overcome this is not to be scared of trying out new things. Be friendly, open to new ideas and opinions, talk to all people and you’ll be fine!

There is no perfect solution to dealing with the culture shock. Some may find that it barely affects their experience at all, and for others it makes adjusting to university life harder. If you feel stressed or homesick, remember that there are plenty of people who will listen, share their experiences, or give you any advice you need. Come find any of us in iTCSU, speak to the TCSU Welfare officers, or even your Tutor or DoS (Director of Studies). Anything you want to share will be listened to!

There’s no pressure to know everything about British culture from the very beginning, though it is well worth exploring. With regard to humour, British people often like to have ‘banter’ and laugh about things you may struggle to find amusing (memes, for one, have been divisive in this respect). If you find yourself not understanding the connotations of a joke or are having difficulty keeping up with a conversation, don’t stress. People are lovely and obliging and will be happy to explain things to you.

Get to know other international students in college. Most of them will have similar backgrounds and experiences that’ll link you together. You’ll quickly find that you ‘click’ better with some people than with others, so hang out with those you feel most comfortable around! Don’t forget making friends is an ongoing process. Always keep an open mind!

Trinity is huge, hence most international students manage to find others of their nationality early on. If that’s not the case for you, don’t forget the national societies, which you can join during Freshers’ Week! Chances are you’ll be able to relate to people from your own country who have been through similar experiences. Be sure to explore people from other backgrounds as well not to miss out!

Flowers blossom along the Trinity backs in spring

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Language: Language can often be a barrier for those who come to live in an English-speaking country for the first time. You may find it will take you time to be able to express complex thoughts in a language you’re not used to, but don’t give up! People here are understanding and will do their best to get what you’re trying to say.

The main problem you may find is the wide variety of English accents. Don’t be put off – understanding people’s accents takes time. Sometimes this goes both ways, British people may not understand your accent just as you may not understand theirs.

Thankfully, language is unlikely to be an obstacle in your academic life unless your subject is heavily essay-based. Bear in mind you wouldn’t have passed your interview had you not been able to convey your ideas clearly. Have confidence in your abilities! Throughout the year your academic vocabulary will grow tremendously. Remember your English-speaking peers will have as much trouble figuring out new terminology as you.

There are some constructions used in British English that aren’t found in other versions of English. British English can be very polite. Try to use structures like ‘I would like to’ or ‘would it be at all possible’ rather than ‘I want’ or ‘Can I’ which can be seen as rude. Colloquial English can sometimes be tricky, understanding only comes with observation and practice. In time you’ll also be able to use colloquial phrases correctly, but if you aren’t sure you can easily find the answers on Google or simply ask a friend.

There’s no right way to settle into life at Trinity but be confident that you will! Although it’s an advantage if you know the language, your personality is what is important. Stay positive, be friendly and be yourself – there’s nothing that can stop you from enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Trinity Chapel

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WEATHER The most significant thing about Cambridge weather, much like the rest of the UK, is the rain - it rains throughout the year. Along with that, the city can get very windy, especially during the winter months.

Michaelmas Term, on the whole, starts off fairly warm with an average of around 16°C, up to 20°C during October. From there it’s downhill as it becomes colder, windier, and wetter November and December go down to averages of 4-6°C, and are among the wettest months of the year. Needless to say, bring lots of warm clothing, scarves, gloves, and probably a hat to keep your ears warm while cycling!

Lent term is the reverse. January is the coldest month of the year with an average of just 3°C. From then on it steadily improves, reaching 6°C average temperature by March. February and March are some of the driest months of the year - though this doesn’t mean much in a country like England, where it’ll still rain consistently.

Easter Term is by far the most pleasant when it comes to weather, but you will enjoy the end of it most after exams have finished! Temperatures average around 14°C, but it can go as high as 25°C some days - and even more during a heat wave. However, rain showers can still be expected.

Great Court on a foggy morning

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OPTIONAL THINGS TO SET UP This part of the guide is optional, but you may find it useful – especially if you are planning on staying in the UK in the long-term.

National Insurance Number: If you’re planning on working in the UK while you are here, you will absolutely need a National Insurance (NI) number. This will be needed for most summer internships, and any actual jobs, of course. For some subjects (e.g. Engineering), having an internship is a course requirement and hence it is recommended for you to try get this early on.

To find out how to set one up, go to the following link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number Voting: EU and Commonwealth nationals have the right to vote in annual local elections, but they have to register beforehand. If you want to vote, which is completely optional, you can find out how to register on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Citizenship: Becoming a citizen of the UK could be a long-term plan for some of you. The requirements vary slightly depending on whether you are from an EEA (European Economic Area) country or not, but whatever the case, you can find the information here: https://www.gov.uk/becoming-a-british-citizen Oh, and remember, your address while in Cambridge has to be as follows: Trinity College Trinity Street Cambridge CB2 1TQ United Kingdom

Nevile’s Court

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CONTACTS Name

Role

Number

Email and info

Main Porters’ Lodge

01223 338400

This is a 24/7 number

Burrell’s Porters’ Lodge

01223 338592

This is a 24/7 number

Janice Chambers

Tutorial Administrator - Sides A, C and G

01223 338404

side.a@trin.cam.ac.uk side.c@trin.cam.ac.uk side.g@trin.cam.ac.uk

Lynn Clift

Tutorial Administrator - Sides B and E

01223 338417

side.b@trin.cam.ac.uk side.e@trin.cam.ac.uk

Sarah Parkin

Tutorial Administrator - Sides D, H and J

01223 338478

side.d@trin.cam.ac.uk side.h@trin.cam.ac.uk side.j@trin.cam.ac.uk

Pam Daish

Visa Registration

01223 338508

prd21@cam.ac.uk

Accommodation Office

01223 338414

accommodation@trin.cam.ac.uk

Members Accounts

01223 338531

college.bills@trin.cam.ac.uk

Emergency

999 -or112

(999 is the official UK emergency services number) (Run by the NHS)

Urgent Care Cambridge

For non-emergency medical help

111

Nightline

A confidential support and information service

01223 744444

Panther Taxis

01223 715715

Cam Cab

01223 704704

A1 Cabco Taxis

01223 313131

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