INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DEPARTURE PACK

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DEPARTURE PACK +44 (0)

2 CONTENTS WORD OF FAREWELL 3 INTRODUCTION 4 DEPARTURE CHECKLIST 6 Finance 6 Refunds and money 6 Accommodation 7 Students with families 7 Health and dental care 8 Travelling before returning home 8 General 8 Saying goodbye 9 Forwarding address 9 SENDING YOUR BELONGINGS HOME 10 Choosing the right way to send things 10 Companies 10 Shipping 10 Documentation 11 Insurance 11 Storage 11 RETURNING HOME 12 Reverse culture shock 12 Situations that can affect your return home 14 Meeting the challenge of reverse culture shock 15 ALUMNI 16 YOUR QUALIFICATIONS 18 Preparation of certificates 18 Duplicate transcript 18 A WORD OF FAREWELL FROM THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE TEAM As you approach the completion of your studies at the University of Central Lancashire, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes for your future plans. Each year we welcome hundreds of students from around the world. We realise that it is not easy for you to leave your family and friends to pursue your academic goals in a different country and, for many of you, in a different language. Now that you are nearing the end of your studies, we are sure that you can look back and be proud of your achievements and also look forward to applying the skills, experience and knowledge you have acquired during your time at the University of Central Lancashire. We hope that you have found your experience of studying at the University a rewarding one and that you will take away with you many happy memories of your time here. We hope that you will maintain contact with us through the Alumni Association and wish you the very best for your future success. The International Student Support and Compliance Team PBSHelp@uclan.ac.uk 2 All information is correct at the time of printing. 3

3 INTRODUCTION As the end of your academic year approaches, it will soon be time for you to leave Preston and return home. We are aware that you will have examinations and assignments to prepare and therefore understand that you may not have had the time yet to consider and prepare for your departure. This Departure Pack is designed to assist you with this and gives some key points you need to consider. Returning home can be very exciting but also very stressful: you will have a lot to do before you get home such as packing, closing bank accounts, leaving your accommodation and possibly arranging for items to be shipped home. Also, it is usual that once you have returned home, you may experience some difficulties re-adjusting to your home life this is mainly because you, your family, your friends and your home may have changed during the time you have been here. The more time you give to planning and preparing your return home, the less stressful it will be for you to settle in when you do get home. This Departure Pack has been prepared by the International Student Support and Compliance Team to help you with particular aspects of your return home. The Departure Pack is not a complete list of all the things you should do; however, it does contain a list of the most important actions you need to take. 4 All information is correct at the time of printing. 5

4 DEPARTURE CHECKLIST Planning will make your return home less stressful and ensure that you don t miss doing something important. Finance As you will have discovered during your time in Preston, it is important to manage your finances. You should ensure that you inform your bank in advance that you are returning home, as this will allow you and the bank time to discuss the requirements for closing your account. You may also have additional financial commitments to consider towards the end of your studies. You should pay off any debts or overdrafts before you leave, including money you owe to the University - your qualification or transcript might be withheld if you have outstanding debts owing to the University. Bank n Check the process for closing your bank account n Check the procedure for transferring money n Order travellers cheques/currency if required n Pay outstanding bills n Write to the bank to cancel Direct Debits or Standing Orders n Tell your bank if you are staying in the UK as a non-student Final expenses n Printing of your Thesis (if applicable) n Graduation (if applicable) gown hire, photographs etc n Shipping belongings home (see below) n Presents/gifts for family/friends n Cost of return journey home Refunds and Money You may be entitled to refunds, for example, if you are working in the UK and paying Income Tax, you might be entitled to a refund. You can check the web site on for further information. Don t forget to give correct notice to your employer so they can arrange your final wages payment. It is very important that, if you are due a refund or payment of money, the payee is clear where to send the refund/ money in the event that you have left the UK. n Car tax (if applicable) n Car insurance (if applicable) n TV licence n Travel cards n Wages owed (if applicable) n Income tax (if applicable) Accommodation When you leave your accommodation do not leave behind unpaid bills or dirty/damaged accommodation. If you are in private accommodation you must give notice in accordance with your contract. If you have closed your bank account then it might not be useful to get a refund of your deposit in the form of a cheque. Discuss this with your Landlord. Inform utility companies (gas, electricity, telephone etc) of your departure date. After your departure you may still receive post and as you could be awaiting refunds it is important that you leave a forwarding address. n Private accommodation give agreed notice of departure n Agree a date and time to take receipt of your deposit n Agree the method for return of deposit cash, cheque etc n Inform utility companies of your departure date n Clean your accommodation thoroughly n Make arrangements to move out n Agree a time to return your keys n Leave a forwarding address Students with families Students who have brought their children with them need to ensure that, if applicable, they notify their crèche/schools when they are returning home. This can also be an emotional time for your children, especially if they have made friends with other children don t forget to give them the opportunity to say goodbye and swap contact details with friends so that they can keep in touch. n Inform your crèche of your departure date n Inform the Head Teacher that your child(ren) will be leaving n Give your children the opportunity to say goodbye to friends 6 All information is correct at the time of printing. 7

5 Health/dental care If you have been having any medical or dental treatment, make sure that you get the records so that you can let your doctor or dentist at home have the details. n Request medical records (if applicable) n Request dental records (if applicable) n Tell your dentist/health Centre that you are leaving Travelling before returning home It is very important, if you are planning to spend time travelling between leaving the University and arriving home, that you tell your family and close friends about your travel plans (your itinerary) and that you give contact details in the event of an emergency. DO NOT set off on your travels without giving this information to family and friends you might be enjoying your travels, but if they don t hear from you they may become very worried. n Apply for your travel visa in good time n Check the expiry date of your UK visa n Arrange travel/health insurance n Make a travel itinerary and give a copy to your family/friends n Ensure your family/friends have a contact number for you Saying goodbye It is very important that you make time to say goodbye to the friends you have made during your time at the University and also make arrangements for how you will keep in touch. n Plan time to visit friends to say goodbye n Swap contact details Forwarding address Last but not least you can arrange for post to be forwarded to you from the UK. You can go to the Post Office and arrange for your post to be redirected to your home address for up to three months or check the website: There will be a charge for this, so please check the current charges with the Post Office. General There are a number of general issues you need to consider in advance of returning home. Some of the items listed below will need more planning than others so ensure that you check in good time and not too close to your return home date. n Check your passport is valid n Return library books and pay any outstanding fines n Sell, or give to a charity shop, any unwanted items n Update your address details on MyUCLan n Cancel any subscriptions for magazines or newspapers n Return anything you have on loan (e.g. TV/DVD player etc) n Check rental agreements for return of items (e.g. mobile etc) n If you have your own PC, back up files before packing it n Request transcripts/references from the University as you may need them for job applications n Check with your Embassy about their customs regulations n Decide what you will pack and what will be shipped home n Make arrangements for travel to the airport 8 All information is correct at the time of printing. 9

6 SENDING YOUR BELONGINGS HOME It is usual for students to go home with considerably more items than they arrived with! It is only natural that you will purchase items during your stay in Preston. Bringing your baggage items to the University may have been relatively straightforward, perhaps only involving a number of suitcases; however, your return journey can be more complicated as you may have more luggage and larger items. This will require some pre-planning in order to get everything back home. This can be a very stressful time and will involve some expense; however, the following are a few key suggestions that can help you plan and ensure that your belongings get to their final destination safely and perhaps reduce your stress levels. Choosing the right way to send things This is something you will need to consider before you ask for any quotes. How do you want to get your belongings home? By air, by sea or by road? When making this decision you need to consider the cost of each, the size of the items you are shipping and the time it takes to get to the final destination. By sea tends to be the cheapest and takes approximately 8-10 weeks. For EU students, by road may be the cheapest option. By air can be expensive and takes approximately 7-10 days; however, it can be cheaper than by sea if, for example, the destination airport is closer to your home than the nearest sea port. n Choose a method by air, by sea or by road Companies We cannot recommend any individual company to you. We strongly recommend that you search the web for companies that offer this service and offer the most competitive rates please see below. Shipping The most important part of this is to choose the right company. You need to be as sure as possible that your belongings arrive, safely, at your home. There are several sources for finding a reliable company. You can check the Yellow Pages ( or the Internet. Another useful source is recommendations from friends ask around. When you do decide on a shipping company, ensure that they are a member of BAR Overseas (British Association of Removers). Membership of this association should ensure that your money is safe and you have a guarantee that your goods will be delivered. Ask for a number of quotes as this will allow you to compare prices and get the best deal possible ask that the quotes show what you are getting for your money e.g. are packing materials free or included in the cost or are they additional? Is it door-to-door service? What is the insurance cover? When you are choosing a company you should: n Check they are members of BAR Overseas n Ask for written quotes from at least two companies n Check if packing materials are provided free n Check if collection/delivery are included in the cost n When will your items be collected after you pack them n Is the service door-to-door n What is the insurance cover n Is there a VAT refund service ( Documentation There are certain documents which will be issued by the shipping company/airline on departure from the UK. These are essential for clearance of your items to go to your agreed destination. The company will pass these on to you. The key documents are: The Bill of Lading: This is a certificate of carriage by sea. Air Waybill: This is a certificate of carriage by air. Insurance You can choose whether you make the arrangements for insurance or whether the agent does it. The cost can vary depending on the type of policy you require and the value of the items to be insured. Insurance may seem like an unnecessary addition to your travel costs; however, it is recommended that you insure your belongings. Storage You may want to store your belongings. You can do this locally. Look on the web or Yellow Pages for storage companies. Finally, check that you are not in possession of anything that cannot be taken into your home country - contact your country s Embassy or Consulate in London you can find their details by searching on It is also worth checking whether the authorities in your home country will charge any excise duties on goods you are importing. If the shipping costs and excise duties would come to more than the cost of replacing the items when you get home, you may wish to consider selling them before you leave. 10 All information is correct at the time of printing. 11

7 RETURNING HOME You may be so busy with your studies and making preparations to leave that you haven t given much time or thought to just what it will be like to return home. Returning home will be a different experience. When you first came to Preston you may have felt nervous, excited, lonely or homesick. You may have wondered if you would ever get used to a different culture, different language, different people or different weather. During your time at the University, you have had to take responsibility for yourself you opened a bank account, arranged your accommodation and budgeted for bills. You did your own shopping, cooking, cleaning and laundry. Perhaps you found part time work to earn some money. Basically, by yourself you did a lot of things that, had you still been at home, you either wouldn t have done or someone from your family would have helped you with. You came to Preston and took responsibility for yourself. This is a huge step in life and not to be underestimated. Your experiences here have changed you as a person you are a different person to the one who left home all those months ago. This is a positive step forward in life and demonstrates development of you as a person. However, these changes can make your return home more difficult than perhaps you have imagined. You need to start thinking about your return home and preparing for an experience that is common to international students and is called reverse culture shock. Reverse culture shock There are two main aspects of reverse culture shock: Changes in you (social, emotional and sometimes physical) Changes in your home (people, places and events) The longer you have been away from home, the more distinct these changes will be. Living in Preston, you have experienced life in a new way: different values, beliefs and behaviour. This can often have a profound impact. However, you must remember that whilst you have been away, your friends and family will have changed too. When you return home, your friends and family will have to get used to the way you have changed and you will have to adapt to the changes in them. This is not easy for all concerned and can cause some emotional and mental stress. 12 All information is correct at the time of printing. 13

8 Situations that can affect your return home You need to consider situations that will affect your return home: If this was your first journey from home, then the impact of your experiences will be different The length of time you have been away The extent of your contact with family and friends during that time. If you have kept in close contact with your family and friends then they will be aware of the changes you have experienced and you will be aware of the changes occurring in their lives. If living in the UK has been culturally different to your home country, then you will have to re-adapt to being at home and you might feel pressure to conform to your own culture You might find it difficult to find employment, or if you are returning to an existing job, you might find it unchallenging The social scene will have changed - the music and fashion may have changed Some of your friends will have moved on in their lives and have different experiences to yours It may be that you return to your native language and no longer have anyone to practise your English with National and political changes can have occurred such as a change in country leadership or changes in certain laws It is possible that as you have been away from home, you unconsciously demonstrate an image of superiority about your experience You need to be aware of the potential problems and think about how you will deal with them should they happen to you. Meeting the challenge of reverse culture shock There are a number of things you can consider which can help you prepare for returning. When you return home, others might not understand any new beliefs or behaviour patterns you have acquired. You might feel under pressure to conform to life at home again. This can result in you feeling alienated from friends and family. You might feel negative about your home culture. This might cause you to withdraw from friends and family and the end result will be confusion for you and for them. Remember - when you arrived in Preston you could have found the customs, beliefs and behaviour very different; however, you kept an open mind and adapted. You must do the same when you return home keep an open mind and use your family and friends (especially any other international students who have returned) to help you through these difficulties. After your experiences in the UK you will have changed - you will never be the same person again and rather than resist these changes or impose them on others you can adapt to home life whilst maintaining the skills, knowledge and experience you gained in Preston. You can apply these positively to your friendships and in life. Use your experiences to help you find a job Use your experiences to encourage others to travel and study Make use of your new skills you can still communicate in English find people who have learnt to speak English (perhaps other international students) or people who would like to improve their English Share your experiences. Make a positive use of the experience you gained here at the University of Central Lancashire. For more information and guidance go to The key to returning home and dealing with these challenges is to be prepared for them. 14 All information is correct at the time of printing. 15

9 +44 (0) ALUMNI As a UCLan graduate, you are automatically entitled to free lifelong membership of the Alumni Association. This allows you to access many services and benefits wherever in the world you may be. Keep in touch We will send you our Alumni magazine twice per year by so please keep your details up-to-date with us so we can ensure to keep in touch. You can update your details by sending an to aassociation@uclan.ac.uk You can also keep in touch via our new online networking platform, UCLan Connect. The platform will enable you to see what s happening at UCLan as well as allowing you to easily keep in touch with your friends around the world. For further information, and to join, see Develop your career You have free lifelong use of the UCLan Careers Service which is available through online events and workshops. The team will support you wherever you are and will help you achieve your career potential. For more information see For more information about the UCLan Alumni Association see: aassociation@uclan.ac.uk /uclan.alumni Search UCLan /uclanalumni 16 All information is correct at the time of printing. 17

10 YOUR QUALIFICATIONS Preparation of certificates Award certificates are prepared as soon as possible following the publication of results. The following schedule is provided as a guide. You should receive your certificate for awards made in June/July by early September. At all other times of the year they should be received within 6 weeks of publication. If you have not received your certificate you should Aceremonies@uclan.ac.uk Your certificates will posted to your home address. It is therefore very important that you advise the University of any change of address via MyUCLan. Duplicate transcript 1. A transcript lists the modules undertaken, credit value and grades achieved during each academic session (where this information is available from the University s records). The overall result obtained will also be indicated. 2. The transcript which the University issues to students is a unique and valuable document which should be carefully preserved by its recipient. 3. A duplicate will only be issued at the discretion of the University. The University reserves the right not to issue a duplicate or to specify reasons for its decision. 4. To obtain an application form Aceremonies@uclan.ac.uk giving your ID number (if known), full name, date of birth, programme of study and year of attendance e.g All information is correct at the time of printing. 19

11 International Student Support and Compliance Team SASS, Foster Building University of Central Lancashire Preston Lancs PR1 2HE Tel: (0)