Canada Briefing. Lucy Gaunt & Clare Herbert. Study Abroad Team

Transcription

1 Canada Briefing Lucy Gaunt & Clare Herbert Study Abroad Team

2 Canada bound 30 UCL students 6 institutions In 3 different cities Make contacts for great travel opportunities!

3 Preparation Programme Attendance at region specific information sessions Fulfilling UCL requirements Completing all elements of Moodle course (you will receive explanatory in next couple of weeks)

4 UCL Requirements Proof of arrival / departure Evaluation questionnaire Keep in touch Be a good ambassador for UCL Help promote study abroad on return to UCL

5 Student Loan Still eligible for Student Loan whilst studying abroad apply in normal way. Negotiate loan payment date Provide International Office with name of relevant funding body we will to request Contact SFE, or equivalent, re additional funds towards cost of studying abroad Travel costs may be reimbursable (over set amount). SFE, for example- apply for Travel Grant when applying for Loans. Refer to Funding body for more information.

6 Tuition fees to UCL Remain payable to UCL, by you or whoever normally pays your fees If studying abroad for full year: UK/EU fee payers pay half fees to UCL Overseas fee payers pay half fees to UCL If studying abroad for part of the year: Standard fee remains payable to UCL

7 Tuition Fees to Host Institution As you will be participating in an Exchange programme you will pay no tuition fees to the host institution you attend in Canada. You are liable to pay other fees (e.g. application fee, registration fee, orientation fee)

8 Study Abroad Bursaries All study abroad students eligible to apply Awarded on basis of financial need Closing date 26 April 2013 Forms available to collect from the Student Centre from 1 March not available online.

9 BUTEX UK Student Scholarships Details included in pack Deadline 31 may 2013 Cannot apply until have form acceptance from host institution Awards worth 500 Eligibility criteria: attending UK university and studying in Canada in 2013/2014 for at least one semester.

10 Banking Talk to your bank about accessing your money and your account whilst you are away. Check commission charges for withdrawing cash from ATMs abroad. Let your bank know that you will be based in Canada and therefore using your card there. Set up internet banking to better keep track of your money.

11 Opening a bank account in Canada Sometimes opening an account is a requirement. It may also make paying bills easier. Canadian banks recommended by past study abroad students: Bank of Montreal, Toronto Dominion, Bank DesJardins

12 Cost of Living Cost of living in Canada has increased over past years. Research costs in advance so you are not caught unawares. Draw up a realistic budget. Do not underestimate. Remember that you will do and spend more because you are away. Initial costs on arrival can be significant NB Early start date.

13 Arrival Costs Take enough money with you for first few weeks. Setting up costs, textbooks and rent, are just some of the expenditures you are likely to face on arrival. Not forgetting all that socialising!...

14 Part-time Work If you don t have a study permit you are not allowed to work. If you have a study permit you are allowed to work, but only on campus. Do not rely on being able to earn money by working. It may be much more difficult to find work than you are used to in London.

15 Health Insurance Comprehensive health insurance is a requirement for all exchange students in Canada. You pay for cover initially via your host institution. UCL will refund you on proof of payment.

16 Travel Insurance UCL will issue you with a travel insurance policy at no cost to you. You will need to give us the relevant details via Moodle. Your personalised policy will be sent to you in the summer.

17 Study Abroad webpages See FAQ s for detailed information on making a claim What is covered in the policy

18 Health Considerations Your institution may require proof that you have had certain vaccinations. Be sure to get an up to date list of what inoculations you have had from your GP. Dental and optical treatment may be excluded from cover provided. Make sure you have a check-up in the UK before you leave. Dental treatment, in particular, can cost many hundreds of dollars. Prescription medication be prepared

19 Support All UCL support services available to help you prepare to go abroad UCL Psychological Services UCL Disability Services Study Abroad Team can assist you with any problems or issues you may encounter and put you in touch with relevant teams.

20 Accommodation Types residential or private. If private, consider where you will stay on arrival. Costs Contracts

21 Visas Required in advance for Canada (if you are going for more than 6 months) Additional requirements for those spending more than 6 months in Quebec. Timing be aware of ALL deadlines, or you may find yourself unable to go abroad in time for the start of term.

22 Miscellaneous Check your passport and renew if necessary. Make copies of passport and other docs and have a set with you and leave a set at home. It is much easier to replace a lost or stolen passport if you know the passport number, issue date etc. Shop around for flights (when the time comes). The trans-atlantic market is competitive so there are often deals to be had.

23 Hints and tips from returned students I could have done more research on their education system. For example, writing a thesis at the University of Toronto is not obligatory whereas it is necessary for a UCL student. As a result, students have to look for a thesis project and contact a desirable supervisor ahead of time. Biochemical Engineering Student, U of Toronto I would advise living on campus as it makes it easier to meet people. Civil Engineering Student, U of British Colombia

24 Hints and tips from returned students The class size varies hugely - from ten to hundreds - but every class is a lecture. There is no seminar like in UCL linguistics, so you don't get a chance to work on the material yourself unless you make your own time for it. Linguistics Student, McGill I applied for accommodation as soon as I had confirmation but that wasn't until very late and so all university rooms were taken. I went on the housing site and I applied of the waiting list for a few and received confirmation of a space the day I arrived and moved in a few days later to a house belonging to the COOP of Toronto university. Civil Engineering Student, University of Toronto

25 Hints and tips from returned students Life in BC was not too dissimilar to the UK although people ski more and really like hockey! Civil Engineering Student, U of British Colombia

26 Key Deadlines March 1 st Applications for Study Abroad Bursary available from Student Centre (open 10am-4pm) March 6 th 1-2pm Study Abroad Pre-Departure Meeting - (Surnames A-M) March 7 th April 10 th April 26 th 1-2pm Study Abroad Pre-Departure Meeting (Surnames N-Z) 1 4pm Drop-in Session for any Study Abroad questions 4pm Deadline for SA Bursary applications (hand in to Student Centre) Deadline to complete Pre-Departure Moodle Course (midnight)

27 Contact Us Website: ucl.ac.uk/studyabroad Phone: In person: 2-4pm every Tuesday in the Student Centre (Chadwick Building) or us to arrange an appointment.