Krum's Top Tips for International Students

 

 

Hey everyone! 

I'm Krum Tashev and I am your International (EU) officer 2016/17. I came to the UK three years ago and I was clueless - I didn’t know what to do, how to do it, or anything really. I pretty much stayed in my room for the first week!

So I decided to write short blog with my Top Tips for International Students! It doesn’t matter if you are here for a term, a year, undergrad or post-grad, hopefully these will help!

1. Learn your slang!

You will all have studied English in school or taken a course, and have learned “proper” English, however here are some slang words that you might hear and will be useful for you to know:

• Quid = 1 pound (£1)

• Tenner = 10 pounds (£10)

• Fiver = 5 pounds (£5)

• Till = Cashier

• Pint = An old form of measurement for liquids. Beer, cider and soda come in pints and half-pints.

• That’s sick = That’s cool 

• Mate = friend

• Knackered = Tired

• Gutted = Upset

• Cheers! = Thank you!

2. Join sports and societies 

It is one of the easiest ways to find friends at University. There are lots of sports clubs and societies at Christ Church so I am sure you will find something that you like. I joined American Football in my first year and the team is like my second family here in the UK. So don’t think twice, just join a sports club or society that you like and you are not going to regret it.

3. Don’t miss Fresher’s week!

It is one of the best weeks during University, and it is great opportunity to meet a lot of new people, make friends and get involved in everything the Union has to offer. Make sure you head to Freshers' Fayre so you can sign up to all those clubs! You can find me flitting between the Union Council and American Football tables so come and chat.

Freshers' Fayre is on Wednesday 21st September 10am-4pm in the Students' Union and Augustine House in Canterbury

In Medway, Freshers' Fayre is on Wednesday 21st in Rowan Wiliams Court.

For Broadstairs, it's on Wednesday 28th September in the courtyard.

4. Register for the Doctor!

Don’t forget to register for the doctors (I didn’t do it for two years - big regrets here …). It is an important thing that a lot of international students tend to forget to do.

If you're an EU student you'll need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) so that you can access emergency care within the NHS

If you're an Overseas (non EU) student it depends what kind of visa you have as to what healthcare you can access. Contact the International Students' Office for more information.

5. Get a bank account.

In the UK you need a bank account for everything. If you want to work while you study this is where your wages will be paid, so it is better to do it as early as possible.

 6. Budget!

It's something most student struggle with, but in particular for International Students where you're using a different currency to what you are used to. 

If you already have this amazing skill then great! If you're like me and you can't budget you could end up eating beans on toast every day towards the end of every month. So try to make a plan of how much you will spend and do your best to stick to it.

Take a look at our Money Advice Pages to help you out

Check shops such as Asda, Lidl, Aldi and PoundLand for good value food and household stuff. Wilkos is great for those initial things like bedsheets and cutlery, pots and pans.

7. Getting around Kent

You can easily get all over Canterbury on foot but the local bus service is excellent. If you need a taxi from the train station or after night out, simply call them up or find one at a designated taxi rank. You can't 'hail' a taxi as it drives along in the UK. Longleys have a partnership with the Union and they're a really great company. 

It's really easy to get around Kent by bus and train and Canterbury is only an hour from London by train. You could even go to France on the Eurostar from Ashford!

Make sure you get a 16-25 railcard for a third off of the price of off-peak travel on most UK trains. Find out how to apply for one by visiting your local railway station or via their website.

8. Communication!

Get a British mobile phone when you arrive. That way you can keep in touch with all the new people that you meet.

9. Discounts! 

Make sure you buy an NUS card which will give you loads of discounts in shops in the UK saving you even more money! At just £12 for the year there's no excuse. NUs Cards now come with free ISIC so you can save all over the world!

10. Questions?

If you have any problems, contact the Students Union. We are here to represent you on all levels - at the university and on local and national level. You can contact me at international.eu@ccsu.co.uk or the Union at hello@ccsu.co.uk.

I can'twait to meet all of you, through the fresher’s week, at the fresher’s fayre and throughout the year. Have a safe flight and I hope you enjoy your UK experience!

Krum