EXCHANGE REPORT UNIVERSITY OF EXETER, UK. Kelly Chong Fall 2011 Exchange

Transcription

1 EXCHANGE REPORT [挑選日期] UNIVERSITY OF EXETER, UK Kelly Chong Fall 2011 Exchange

2 Table of Content Part I... Activity Log... 3 Part II... General Exchange Information... 4 Part III... Checklist

3 Part I Activity Log JAN 2011 I arrived university of Exeter on 15th of Jan. I took the Cathay pacific airline to Heathrow airport in London. That day was a rainy day, every exchange students were quite messy since we were all accompanied with two bulky luggage. The first location we arrived university of Exeter was Cornwall House, not only did we registered there; there were also canteen, store and laundry. FEB 2011 It was so glad that both local and exchange students were friendly and helpful in Exeter. There were students from Germany, Italy, USA, and Turkey in my floor. We cooked together for dinner every day. By doing so, not only can we reduce dinning expense, we can also taste the cuisines from various exchange students. MAR 2011 In March, since all of my courses did not required mid-term exam. I can have plenty of time to travel around Scotland, Loch Ness, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Bath and Bristol within UK. Traveling within UK was a very good experience. During the trip to Aberdeen, that was the only moment I saw snow. APR 2011 There was a long Easter holiday in the university in UK. For Exeter, the holiday is from 1st April to 1st May. The first three months of holiday were used for traveling. I went to Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa and Rome in Italy. The flight ticket from London to Milan only cost less than $100HKD. It was really worthy to travel. Then I went to Barcelona in Spain, Paris in France and Brussels in Belgium. Travelling can really broaden my horizon. MAY 2011 The last one week was used for revision because the final exam took place right after the holiday. The courses in Exeter were less competitive than those in UST. It was a good experience to study without excess pressure. In additions, I travelled to Oslo in Norway and found the price level in Northern Europe was high; therefore the price for salmon was relatively cheaper. When I returned Exeter, there were four exams for me to accomplish. JUN 2011 For the final months, I went for my second trip. The destinations in this time included Amsterdam in Holland, Copenhagen in Denmark, Berlin and Munich in Germany and Sahara Desert in Africa. I had a very good time in Europe. I would never forget the people, places 3

4 and atmospheres in my exchange period. Part II General Exchange Information 1. Visa Procedures There are two different kinds of visa, student visitor visa and Tier 4 student visa. Student visitor visa is a short-term student visa that allows student to stay in UK for not more than six months. But working is prohibited. As for Tier 4, the application fee is 255, by then you can get a part-time job. For my experience, I only applied for student visitor visa and it was granted on entry to UK. 2. Orientation Activities Before the start of the first semester, all the exchange students were invited to attend welcome week. This has included an international students lounge with free internet café and special sessions for international students, which can help you settle in life in Exeter. Those special sessions included having cream tea and question time. There were day trip to Wells and Clarks Village as well. I have joined all of them and met lots of exchange students. 3. International Services & Exeter provided quite a lot of international Activities services and activities for the students including parties at bar in Cornwall house, we were required to pay 2-3 then a free drink would be provided. These were very good opportunities for you to expand your social network. Besides, sport programmes were launched for both local and exchange students. There were aerobics, circuit training, pilates, yoga, various dancing, badminton, etc. For each time of participation, students are required to pay Accommodation Most of the exchange students were allocated in Lafrowda. It was a very nice and tranquil place. The rooms were clean and comfortable. There 4

5 are usually two types of room sizes, ensuite and enhanced. We had to state the preference when applying for the accommodation. The room fees for these two are slightly different. The different between these two are mainly concerning the wall. For ensuite, you can see the brick which formed the wall while enhanced one is covered by a piece of wood which I found it quite important as it looks cleaner. 5. Courses Registration For the courses registration, I had to first compare the courses in UST and Exeter. And then filled in the course registration form in the midst of the semester before. Then when we arrived University of Exeter, the officer gave us the forms that with the courses assigned and then you can swap the courses by approaching the officers. 6. Teaching & Assessment The teaching methods are similar to those in UST. Methods There are lecture classes, tutorials, homework in a course. For most of the economics and finances courses, the assessment methods are mainly final exams. As for the marketing and management courses, they are assessed by projects, presentations and exams. 7. The Sports & Recreation There are facilities including many different Facilities indoor and outdoor pitches, squash courts, gym with fitness equipment and free-weight areas, exercise studio and sport halls. There is also athletic union in Exeter; it is a union that responsible for coordinating both recreational and competitive sport. And students from all skill levels are welcome. 8. Cost/Expenses Generally speaking, $100,000HKD would be very enough for students who wish to travel around Europe plus the expense in Exeter. Despite the remote location of Exeter, the price level is not really low; it is actually higher than that in Manchester. Expense in Exeter for one semester is around $40,000HKD. 5

6 9. Social Clubs & Networking Opportunities 10. Health & Safety As mentioned in above, many parties were offered in bars in Exeter and both UK local and exchange students were keen on joining these parties and have fun. These were also a very good opportunities for you to expand your networking circle with students from other countries. Besides parties, there were multifarious societies that students can join. But students should beware of the membership fees. One tip is that you may ask the society for a taste of the activities without paying any cost. The air condition in Exeter is so nice that my nasal congestion was remedied in that six months. And I was healthier than in Hong Kong. But in case students encounter heath problems unfortunately, there are student health centre, counseling service, mental health team and even religious provision in Exeter. 11. Food We cooked most of the time for dinner. There were supermarkets called Tesco and Sainsbury in town in Exeter. They were just like Park n Shop and Welcome in Hong Kong. There were also Chinese supermarkets in town. So foods would definitely not a main concern for students. Besides, there was a Italian restaurant in Cornwall house, which near Lafrowda, the main accommodation area for students. And cream tea would be the traditional food that students cannot miss. 12. Transportation I have never taken transportation within Exeter! Exeter is actually a small town; usually students would just need to mobile from university to town for foods. Even if students go to the river side, you can also walk to there. Therefore transportation expense within Expense within Exeter is actually negligible. In additions, there are bus and train station in Exeter that students 6

7 can travel to other places like London or Bath. 13. Climate I arrived Exeter in winter time; it was not as cool as I thought. I have never experienced snowing in Exeter despite the fact that it was winter time. Also, the feeling of 2-3degrees in Hong Kong is different from this feeling in Exeter. It seems warmer in Exeter. 14. Communication In terms of communication, it is actually not a difficult task since people can all speak in English. Sometime, you may also found your English is more fluent than those from other European countries since their first language is not English. 15. Cautionary Measures Consulting doctor is expensive in UK. Therefore I recommended students to purchase insurance and consult doctor in Hong Kong in advance and collect some medicine for cautionary means. 16. Others Do not feel shy and you could definitely experience more! 7

8 Part III Items to Bring and Contacts Kettle Jackets Camera Notebook Phone Stationary Foods Skincare Clothes Medicines Locks for luggage USB Letter from Exeter Map of Exeter Passport Photos UK Rail card Money bag Small bag (for traveling) Small luggage (for traveling) Hairdryer Slipper Duvet (optional) Bed sheets (optional) Sport shoes Future exchange students are welcome to contact me for more information. Below is my contact information: Kelly Chong Major: Finance Year: 2 klkchong@ust.hk Mobile: